Ritzville Chamber relocates office to City Hall

The Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce is relocating the office in anticipation of a more conducive office space and also for an opportunity to strengthen a partnership with the City of Ritzville.

After a staffing change in late 2016, the Chamber board began reevaluating the best long term options for the facility. The board members worked with the City of Ritzville representatives and unanimously agreed to partner in order to better serve the needs of visitors to the community.

The change will allow tourists to have access to informational materials five days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Previously, the Chamber office was only open to visitors three or four days a week, and only from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Chamber office will be located on the Main Avenue side of City Hall. The access point will allow tourists to enter City Hall and meet with a Chamber volunteer or board member.

The lobby area will have access to all travel documents and informational handouts previously available through the Chamber.

The office will be staffed on a volunteer basis, and Chamber President Marci Miller said the Chamber board intends to research and work towards having a part time employee on staff.

Through the partnership with the City, Miller said the Chamber will also pursue the possibility of the staff member splitting their time to assist both the City and the Chamber.

In the interim, Miller said the Chamber is in need of volunteers who are willing to answer questions for visitors to the community.

The City has agreed to partner with the Chamber on multiple endeavors, and Miller said sharing the same space will allow the two agencies to work even closer together and improve the opportunities available for the community.

Along with the City, the Chamber will also benefit from having Adams County Development Council Director Julie Flyckt onsite part time as an additional resource, Miller added.

Currently, the Chamber phone number is being forwarded to City Hall, and employees are helping to answer questions for tourists and locals.

Miller explained the City has agreed to continue to assist with this service, and it will continue until a final decision on an employee for the organization is reached.

The Chamber also entered into a partnership to assist with a rebranding campaign for the City. Miller said the first priority for the Chamber this year is complete the rebranding, which will use a significant portion of the Chamber’s 110 Fund allocation.

Miller explained the Chamber is also undergoing a reorganization and reevaluation of the services the organization will continue to provide. The Chamber will now be focusing primarily on the promotion of Ritzville, instead of providing community events for residents.

The City will assume responsibility of the events through the partnership, Miller explained, with assistance from the Chamber board members.

City employees will now coordinate the events like Christmas at the Carnegie, while the Chamber will continue to coordinate the Community Parade on Labor Day weekend.

Without a dedicated employee for the Chamber, Miller said the Chamber board will be looking to hire an individual to coordinate the annual parade. In the future, Miller explained the Chamber anticipates contracting with individuals for events like the parade.

Miller said the decision to relocate did not come easy for the Chamber board members. The board did not like leaving another building empty in downtown Ritzville, but the Chamber had to evaluate what would best suit their needs.

The opportunity to partner with the City proved to be the determining factor, Miller said, and it allows the two agencies with a chance to increase the promotion of Ritzville.

In the long run, Miller stated, the benefits far exceed the costs.

Throughout the upcoming months, the Chamber will continue to fully move into the City office space and begin offering tourist information to visitors.

After the move is complete, Miller said they will put signage on Main Avenue to draw visitors in, and will complete work on an awning over the door to improve the aesthetic.

The main door through City Hall will remain the only point for handicap access, Miller stated, but all visitors will still be able to access Chamber resources, even if using the front door of the facility.

The Chamber contact number remains as 659-1936.

The Chamber office is in need of volunteers, and for individuals to fill Chamber Board vacancies, and all interested parties can call and leave a message for Miller.