Scott Swanson
The Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce has reached an agreement to sell its building while continuing to operate in it.
The chamber operates its office and the Visitor Information Center at 1575 Main St.
“I can’t disclose too much because nothing has been finalized, but we reached an agreement in principle to sell the chamber,” said President Bill Matthews. “The offer that’s on the table will allow us to pay our debts. It will allow us to stay in the chamber.
“We don’t have to move. We’ll be able to continue the Visitor’s Center and perform all the functions we have for years. From the outside looking in, there’s really no change.”
The organization’s Board of Directors discovered earlier this year, after reviewing financial information that the chamber was about $100,000 in debt. Previously, Matthews has explained, the board had inaccurate and incomplete information about the chamber’s financial condition.
To meet its obligations, the board decided to sell its building and a neighboring vacant lot.
More information about the sale will be available after it closes, Matthews said.
“We anticipate a quick close and a quick resolution of our financial difficulties, which will position us to go forward in the community as a very strong Chamber of Commerce.”
Chamber officials are finalizing the details of their obligations, but financially, the chamber should be in a position to move forward, Mathews said.
“The conditions on which we’re staying here are very favorable to us. Going forward we’ll be able to meet our obligations.
“I’m excited because it allows us to move forward with a clean slate. That’ll help attract members, board members and community members. It erases a cloud that’s been over our head.
“We don’t intend on going any place. We want to maintain the Visitor Center in all its glory. This will allow us to go back to the members and say, ‘We fixed all this stuff.’ This will allow a continued volunteerism, and we’ll be able to do a lot of good for the business community of Sweet Home.”