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Commissioners divided over restoring Chamber of Commerce funding; director seeks to return grant to prior levels
Summary
The Alleghany Chamber of Commerce requested restoration of county support after a prior reduction; the board heard arguments that the requested jump is large but also heard endorsements of the chamber—s role in economic promotion.
The Alleghany Chamber of Commerce asked the Board of Commissioners to restore its county appropriation toward historical levels after a recent low allocation. The chamber—s presentation and subsequent discussion focused on whether a sizeable restoration was justified.
County staff and one commissioner described the 2025 request as an effort to return the chamber—s funding to multi-year norms following a recent reduction. According to staff, the chamber requested roughly $40,000; the proposed restoration noted on the agenda would move the chamber from about $10,000 in the last budget back toward the $30,000-$40,000 range used in prior years. One commissioner described the requested change as a 74% increase compared with the very low prior-year figure and said: “I just think that's an extremely large increase... $28,000 is is a no go for me.”
Other commissioners and staff said the chamber has produced statewide and national promotion opportunities — including a PBS filming and a feature in a state magazine — and that those promotional activities have intangible benefits for tourism and local businesses. Staff noted the chamber receives some tourism/occupancy-related support and a separate TDA (Tourism Development Authority) allocation that varies from year to year.
No final appropriation was recorded at the meeting. Commissioners asked for more information on the chamber—s budget, its use of TDA/occupancy funds and the longer-term trend in appropriations before recommending a specific amount in the budget ordinance.
