The Mineral County Chamber of Commerce needs a boost.

“Today, our membership is as low as it’s been in years,” reports Jackie Callison, President for the last four or five years.

The mission statement 12 years ago was ‘Use ‘Em or Lose ‘Em, in an effort to encourage people to buy locally. It changed to ‘Building and Promoting the Businesses in Mineral County’ a few years after that.

Today, Callison says it is ‘To Find More Supporters to Help with Projects’ as a plea for the businesses between Saltese and Alberton to roll up their sleeves, work to promote each other and become involved along the county’s 77 miles of Interstate 90.

Callison and David Mirisch, local publicist and marketing professional, are about ‘it’ these days to keep projects moving while trying to increase the awareness of what the county has for retail, personal services and the industries that are established in the county.

“We need to educate the residents of what we have in our area, today, that can save them a trip to Missoula or an Amazon order and in turn help the local businesses,” said Mirisch.

Mirisch suggested, and Callison agreed, to rekindle the old ‘Welcome Wagon’ by delivering a greeting-basket of gifts and coupons to everyone that has moved into

County 54 in the last six months. Incentives to draw people into the doors of business establishments so they can see for themselves the products or services offered and as an opportunity for companies to build a relationship with potential new customers.

Each greeting basket will consist of free specialty items (flashlights, pen sets, etc.) Coupons for $10 off any purchase over $50; Buy 1 Get 1 Free; 30-minute free massage; ½ off hair-care products; 25% off fishing gear; free appetizer with two meals; free use of golf cart with rental of one; a pair of socks free with purchase of Wolverine work boots; free ice cream cone; tire rotation, lawn mower blade sharpened. In other words, something of value that will be appreciated by the person walking in the door for the first time.

Do you need to be a member of the Chamber to become involved with these gift-baskets?

“Normally a business would need to be a dues paying member but right now we just want to do what we can to build recognition of our businesses and extend a warm hand to our new neighbors to make them feel welcome,” Callison said.

Some of the upcoming events will be a family picnic/potluck in the Eva Horning Park to celebrate the end of COVID-19 (date to be determined); Bingo Night at the Superior Elementary School Gymnasium and the Second Annual Christmas Light Decorating Contest.

So, if you are a business that would like to donate fun goodies to generate the greeting-baskets, or, a resident new to Mineral County in 2020, contact Jackie Callison at [email protected]. Also 822-7673 for Jackie’s Flowers and Gifts in the Old Superior School.