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Brandon Chamber Seeks $85,000 From City for Marketing, Events
Summary
The Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce requested $85,000 in city support to fund marketing and events it says drive sales tax revenue and regional visitors.
Jill Meyer, president of the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and publisher of the Brandon Valley Journal, asked the Brandon City Council on Monday for the city’s continued financial support of $85,000 for the coming year to fund marketing and events.
The request, Meyer said, was “to be used exclusively for marketing and marketing related projects and events.” The chamber serves, she told the council, “as an advocate and resource for over 280 local businesses,” and she said the organization has sought to stretch city dollars while producing events that draw regional visitors.
Why it matters: The chamber told the council it links marketing investments to increased sales tax revenue and downtown viability. Meyer cited a string of community events supported by city funds over the past year — including the burger battle, pizza battle and a beverage battle — and said the group’s outreach reaches neighboring cities in South Dakota and Minnesota.
Council members did not take a formal vote on the request during the meeting. Meyer answered questions from council members about membership and the chamber’s activities; in response to a question about membership she said the chamber represents “over 280 local businesses.”
Context and details: Meyer listed annual and seasonal programs the chamber runs or supports — ribbon cuttings, business luncheons, “second Saturday” shopping promotions, Bridal mailers, Shop Small Saturday and a regional outreach effort the chamber led opposing a ballot initiative the group estimated could have cost the city up to $565,000 in sales tax revenue. The chamber also described targeted marketing to draw shoppers from Sioux Falls, Garretson, Lake Norden, Larchwood and Hills, Minnesota.
Next steps: Meyer’s presentation concluded with the formal request for $85,000; the council discussed the item but made no formal commitment at the meeting. The request will return to the council for future consideration as the city’s budget process continues.
Ending: Meyer closed by thanking the council for its partnership and said continued investment would help “build this momentum and continue to grow our community in meaningful ways.”
