Business Growth And Challenges In Calaveras
Staci Johnston has been the Executive Director at the Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce for the past year and a half.
Johnston was Wednesday’s KVML “Newsmaker of the Day”.
Last year, business was on the road to recovery when the Butte Fire broke out in September, putting a sudden and long halt to nearly the entire county.
Before taking the position, Johnston was involved with the Calaveras business community as a small business owner. Since 1998, Johnston was the owner and director of an in-home daycare that she operated in Valley Springs.
Johnston says her goals for the Chamber continue to be to promote and build up both new businesses and longtime county merchants as well.
“Since the devastation of the Butte Fire, we are beginning to notice healthy grow again,” said Johnstone. “We have over 400 business members and we’ve added several more over the past year.”
When asked about the current state of business in Calaveras, Johnston stated, “Calaveras took a major hit during the recession. Last year it was the Butte Fire. The drought and lack of snow (until this year) hasn’t helped. However, business is recovering. There is evidence of growth in nearly every major community throughout the county. We are hearing some good news from our business members and working with others to help them grow.”
The Chamber’s office is at 39 North Main Street across from the Calaveras Museum.
The Chamber holds monthly mixers that are well attended and are held in various sections of Calaveras ranging from Valley Springs to Murphys.
The next mixer will be held, appropriately enough, at the Murphy’s Hotel in Murphys on St Patrick’s night from 5:30 – 7 PM.
“We invite everyone to attend, both members and non-members” says Johnston. “It’s a great chance to meet and talk with business members and find out who they are”. There is an optional donation of $10 at the door.
Please contact the office for more information 754-5400. The website is http://www.calaveras.org
The “Newsmaker of the Day” is heard every weekday morning on AM 1450 KVML at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 AM.
