COEUR d'ALENE - The Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce's back is bent under the weight of massive mortgage payments taken on just before the recession hit.

While Chamber officials and supporters can't exactly start over, they can take action and ask for help from the community.

So they are.

Steve Wilson, the Chamber's president and CEO, said a yearlong capital campaign will be led by Mic Armon and former Mayor Sandi Bloem to help reduce the Chamber's debt load and give it a little breathing room as it continues to focus on programming, member needs and community involvement. The campaign will kick off July 29 with "Celebration in the Gardens," a special evening event sponsored by Duane and Lola Hagadone that will take place at their lakeside estate.

In the meantime, the Chamber is in the middle of a membership drive and hopes more businesses will get on board.

"Every new member helps us. If we could grow our market share to say, 75 percent of all the businesses in Coeur d'Alene, we'd be in pretty good shape," Wilson said. "We're very proud of the fact that we represent about 46 percent of all businesses in Coeur d'Alene right now, which is really good. Spokane and Boise are less than 20 percent. They're bigger communities, they have bigger chambers, but bigger communities that only represent about 20 percent. We represent 46 percent, that's great, but that still leaves 54 percent that might not be members."

Members are privy to networking and advertising opportunities, classes and seminars and more. Those who want to aid the capital campaign have several levels of sponsorship opportunities from which to choose.

While membership gains are a big part of the long-term financial solution, Chamber leadership is dealing with a monthly mortgage payment of $21,000, which is more than four times its previous rental fee.

Seven years ago, the Chamber expanded into its present location at 105 N. First St., an architecturally iconic building which also houses the Coeur d'Alene Arts and Culture Alliance, the Downtown Association, the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation and the Coeur d'Alene Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Chamber got more space in an ideal location, but it also inherited a mortgage monster.

"This has been chipping away at the chamber for the last eight years, and consequently, what it has done is the Chamber has reduced its staff in size, reduced some of the programming that we've had and we're continually looking to operate events and activities that can make us money as opposed to events, activities and programming that might be free," Wilson said.

The balance of the mortgage is about $1.2 million per the 20-year, 6.36 percent interest mortgage note. If you're thinking the Chamber should just pay it off early or refinance it, you're not alone. But Wilson said early payoff or refinancing would add a $600,000 penalty, which the Chamber has found to be unreasonable. Wilson said the note holder has also been approached to reconfigure the loan, a request which was denied. He said the board has also resisted raising membership dues to help handle the mortgage.

The Chamber generates $57,000 a year in rental income and generated $372,000 in dues revenue last year. The payroll costs, including benefits and taxes, for the six full-time staff members is $365,000 per year, or $30,417 per month. That's big bang for reasonable bucks, Wilson said, considering the Chamber's role in the community.

"The Chamber is the only pro-business organization. There isn't another organization that is advocating in Boise on behalf of business," he said. "There is no other organization in this community that is carrying that flag."

The Chamber is the main sponsor of two huge summer events - Ironman and the Fourth of July festivities - and is actively involved in other events throughout the year that attract visitors and affect the local economy.

Chamber staff members serve as the voice of local businesses at the state level; they promote, support and work toward beneficial outcomes regarding expansion, predictability, income tax issues and other aspects that affect commerce in Coeur d'Alene.

Suzanne Metzger, who is in her fourth year as treasurer of the Chamber's executive committee, said the Chamber plays a fundamental role in the health of the local economy.

"In my opinion, when I think about the Chamber, I think about where most people's lives start, which is a good economy, a good job where they can provide for their families," she said. "We work hard to support those programs in the community that are providing what those community members need."

She said the First Street building has maintenance and upkeep requirements, such as retaining walls and landscaping, that set it apart from other locations.

"The infrastructure on a building like this is a little bit more than your typical office building," she said.

Her hopes are for the Chamber to have a good maintenance plan in place, to take a heavier management focus into its programming "and give back to the community that gives so much to us." And she said the Chamber's parking lot usually has vehicles with out-of-state license plates while the visitors center almost always has a few visitors.

"It truly has become an epicenter. When you say 'North Idaho,' you say Coeur d'Alene, and that's why everybody comes to Coeur d'Alene," Metzger said. "We just want to be there and be strong for the future for our members and our community."

Wilson's thoughts mirror Metzger's.

"Most of the business community believes that support for a chamber of commerce is critical to launch the health and growth of an economy," Wilson said. "We want to ensure that that continues well into the future."

Now, the Chamber is hoping the community it promotes and supports will return the favor.

Info: www.cdachamber.com