By Tracy McNew
In February, the Troy Chamber of Commerce distributed their first issue of a new newsletter, “Business Broadcast.” The newsletter, according to Chamber President, Jody Peterson, was spearheaded by Troy’s Lincoln County Librarian, Sharee Miller. Miller who has lived in Troy for nearly two years, was recently appointed as Treasurer of the Chamber and she has helped add new energy and ideas. Miller got involved through the small business committee that was developed after the Montana Main Street Program held a meeting with the Governor’ committee at the Silver Spur last year. Miller’s favorite thing about the community of Troy is that, “it’s so eclectic. There are lots of different types of people and they all seem to get along really well.”
The newsletter’s big announcement was that the Chamber is getting an office building. With help from the City of Troy, the building will be placed behind the Troy Museum and Visitor’s Center once the weather warms up.
“Having the chamber centrally located will help them out and the city will do whatever we can to help because it’s good for all of us. They’ve got some good people stepping up and volunteering to move things forward.” Said Mayor, Dallas Carr.
The 10 by 16 foot building will be placed by the City of Troy, wired by Libby Electric, and volunteers with finish the building’s interior. The Chamber has some volunteers already, both to help with finishing the building and to work in it, but, according to Miller, “Like any organization these days, there is always room for more volunteers.” No opening date is set at this point, but once work is done, the Chamber will be open during the summer staffed by volunteers who have already committed their time to answer questions and welcome people to Troy in the new building.
In recent years, the Troy Chamber has been active, but their presence has primarily been online. Lori and Greg Goodman, owners of All Systems Go, have managed the Chamber’s website for almost five years since they moved to Troy. The couple told The Montanian that it’s exciting to see the Chamber reinvigorated. “I think it’s a great thing for the town to have that central location. It’s so close to the museum and visitor’s center which will make it (the Chamber building) natural for people to visit. It’s a great move forward for Troy,” said Lori. The website sees some significant traffic at about 28,000 visits per month, she said, and having a physical location is only going to make things better.
The Troy Chamber has been highly successful in hosting Troy’s annual Old Fashioned 4th of July event each year which draws thousands of people to town. “We have an excellent group of volunteers who help with that,” Peterson said, and they hope to get even more people involved by having regular meetings and events. To this end, a Business After Business dinner event will be held on Wednesday, March 27 from 6 until 8:30 p.m. at the Silver Spur. During Business After Business, Lincoln County Commissioner, Jerry Bennett will speak and share how Lincoln County is helping to support Troy’s economic future. More events will follow, but aren’t scheduled just yet. “We’re getting enough people to where we can hold general membership meetings four times yearly, and hopefully we can have them a little more often, like every other month,” said Peterson.
The current Troy Chamber board includes Jody Peterson as president, Susie Taylor as vice president, Chera Cole as secretary, and Sharee Miller as treasurer. Peterson who has served as president for almost five years has been a Troy resident for about 23 years and owns her own small business specializing in handmade windchimes, Montana Moon Copperworks. Peterson said, “Small business is so important for the community. It’s our job to support our small businesses and tourism. We’re working on improving that.” Another way they are working to improve the Chamber is through training. Taylor will be attending a tourism training this spring so that she can bring what she learns back to Troy and use it to continue making purposeful positive changes.
For more information about volunteering, offering services to complete the building project, or joining the Troy Chamber, you can visit Miller at the Troy Library, visit troymtchamber.org from the comfort of your own home or office, call 295-1064, or even send mail to PO Box 3005 in Troy.
If your business is not located in Troy, but extends to the Troy area, you are still welcome and encouraged to join the Troy Chamber. There are four membership levels with general membership for only $50 per year. Membership includes your business information and a link to your business page on the Chamber’s website as well as the ability to list events on their calendar. The platinum level membership costs $350 and includes a number of additional benefits including your business’s logo and name displayed prominently at the Troy Old Fashioned 4th of July.