April 11, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce is asking for more financial support from the County.
Chamber Director Suzanne Williams addressed the county budget committee last Monday, April 3 at the courthouse asking for an increase from $25,000 to $60,000 in the county’s annual contribution to the chamber, a non-profit organization, established to promote local economic development and tourism. The Chamber is governed by its own board of directors and officers. Three years ago, the county raised its annual contribution to the Chamber from $17,500 to $25,000. The City of Smithville provides $15,000 each year. The Chamber is also supported by membership dues and fundraisers.
Chamber Director Williams said DeKalb County’s Chamber remains one of the lowest funded in the state and could use the extra money to support its budget and mission. In addition to promoting DeKalb County and raising funds for the Chamber Williams said she also spends much of her time writing and administering grants for the county among other tasks.
“Despite the fact that we have such high tourism dollars and bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant money and save $75,000 being in the state’s Three Star Program, the DeKalb County Chamber is one of the most underfunded Chambers in the whole state. For example, Smith County has $10 million in tourism dollars, and they give their Chamber $42,500. Clay County gets $4.76 million in tourism dollars and their Chamber gets from them over $140,000. The Clay County Chamber gets all the county’s hotel/motel tax including a tax on houseboat rentals,” said Williams.
“I ask you to seriously consider contributing $60,000. That money you invest is not a donation. Although the Chamber is listed under donation (in county budget) we are anything but a donation. You (county) will get that back several times over (tourism and grant dollars),” Williams added.
Williams said Tourism in DeKalb County grew by 30% in 2021 and ranks third among the 14 Upper Cumberland Counties behind Putnam and Cumberland.
The budget committee has not yet acted on the request.