PEP to Take Over Powell Chamber

Big changes are in store for the business community in Powell.

Friday the Powell Economic Partnership announced a merger with the Powell Valley Chamber of Commerce. The two organizations have entered into an agreement in which PEP will manage all operations of the Chamber and Visitor’s Center.

This decision was a direct result of the community survey and listening sessions this past winter, according to PEP Executive Director Christine Bekes. She said that after many hours of work sessions over the past two months, the Chamber Board concluded that the best outcome for Powell and Powell Chamber members was a consolidation of services with PEP.

In a letter to Chamber members, Board President JJ Jeide thanked the board, the members and the community for their patience and loyalty, but said that times have changed, expressing his confidence that the move will be a positive one for the community and for Chamber members. He also said that members will not feel a gap in services.

According to the agreement, PEP will manage operations for the Chamber, maintain the Powell Visitor Center and seek to fill the position of a Visitor Center Coordinator, a new position that will serve many of the community priorities indicated in the winter survey and listening sessions. PEP Executive Director, Christine Bekes, will continue to work on business development priorities. The PEP office will be physically relocating from Northwest College to the Chamber building on Day street.