MATTAWA - A business fair and advancement of the Wahluke Slope Appellation will be discussed at the Mattawa Area Multicultural Chamber of Commerce meeting Thursday at noon at the WorkSource Office at 403 S. Boundary.

President Mike Thiede is excited about the meeting. He hopes it will continue an upward swing in attendance since the group nearly disbanded last spring.

"We've got several new members, and we encourage everyone to renew their membership in the Chamber," he said.

Nine people attended the last meeting. They were Mike Thiede (Ginkgo Forest Winery), Lois Thiede (Thiede Farms, LLC), Maria Rosales (Columbia Bank), Ron Fox (Columbia Bank), Bob Adler (Port of Mattawa), Tari Perez (CBHA), Clinton Sherman (Wahluke School District), Curt Connor (Sandbar Marine and RV) and Maria Ledezma (WorkSource).

The business fair and the appellation were discussed. Sherman agreed that holding the business fair at the school was appropriate.

It was suggested that the Small Business Administration office in Spokane could provide someone to talk about how they assist businesses. The group felt they should target late January or February for holding the business fair.

Lois Thiede handed out information on two activities that serve as examples of how to promote the vineyards, wineries or wine of the Wahluke Slope: the North Central Washington Wine Awards (a larger activity) and Sip of the Slope (a smaller effort).

Adler reported that the Port of Mattawa approved acceptance of the funds ($16,000) that were raised for a community center. The Port commissioners will first need to change their comprehensive plan to reflect this activity.

The money can be transferred from the US Bank Chamber account to the Port account. Adler has the forms which are used to apply for grant money for the development of a parks and recreation area.

Ledezma reported that she and Lois Thiede visited La Fina. The owner, Irlanda Ocampo, also brings her wares to the flea market in Mattawa on Saturday and the market in Pasco on Sunday. She has a wide variety of clothes and other items.

Mireya Cardoso was also there, and she was opening her own clothing store that weekend in a building near the Mattawa clinic. The chamber could be involved in ribbon-cutting ceremonies or grand openings to give both the businesses and chamber publicity.