Chamber highlights downtown events, youth entrepreneurship and loan activity

Pam, a representative of the Newton Chamber of Commerce, told the City Commission on Feb. 10 that the chamber’s contract with the city supports downtown events and small‑business programming.

The chamber said its wine walk sold about 100 tickets and generated $1,200 that it donated to a downtown beautification fund. Pam said Taste of Newton on Oct. 2 drew roughly 7,400 people and featured 69 vendors across four blocks. She also noted ongoing efforts to refine summer events that have struggled with heat and attendance.

Pam described the chamber’s involvement in small‑business lending through Network Kansas. She said the chamber has facilitated roughly $432,150 in loans (a 53% increase year over year) and that three recently completed loans totaled $362,074. She said average loan sizes are about $30,000 with an average interest rate of about 3.64% and that collateral requirements are minimal.

The chamber promoted its youth entrepreneurship challenge, scheduled for March 11 at the Meridian Center. Pam said the program has grown to include students from multiple classes and schools and that winners advance to K‑State competitions; prizes the chamber provides include $500 for first place, $250 for second and $100 for third, plus a People’s Choice award.

“It's my privilege to be here tonight to talk to you about our contract that we have with the city to do downtown events,” Pam said, describing partnerships with businesses, volunteers and city staff.

Pam encouraged commissioners to attend trade‑show presentations on March 11 and cited ribbon cuttings, holiday decorations and Main Street collaborations as ongoing work to support downtown businesses.

What’s next: Pam invited commissioners to continue supporting the chamber’s events and to attend the March trade show, and the commission received the report with thanks.