A check for $3,296.71 was passed on to the newly formed Evergreen Chamber of Commerce at its second meeting on Thursday night, courtesy of the now-defunct Evergreen Business and Property Owners Association.

The latter organization aimed to present a unified voice for Evergreen businesses in the past, but hadn’t been active for quite a while, so decided to fold for good and give its remaining funds to the Evergreen Chamber.

The Chamber is finding momentum in its second month of existence. It was a packed house for its September meeting at the Evergreen Fire Hall, with 74 people attending; the organization currently has 71 members.

“This is real and we’re here,” State Farm Insurance agent TJ Wendt, one of the founding board members, said. “As one chapter was closing, a new chapter is opening. Evergreen is finding their voice.”

Though specific projects have yet to be finalized, the Chamber now has $14,000 to work with.

“We certainly have a good base of membership to give us some direction,” Rod Leese, vice president of the Chamber and president of West One Bank, said.

Attendees at the meeting were told about the new website at www.evergreencofc.com and the business-to-business discounts for members.

Leese said that many ideas were proposed Thursday night as the Chamber begins working on its vision. These included more sidewalks throughout Evergreen to create a safer environment for business and school children, and signage for the area to give Evergreen a stronger identity.

He said many business owners would also like to see the creation of a link to Canadian customers.

The Evergreen Chamber will meet on the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Evergreen Fire Hall. The Chamber phone number is 885-1212.