Wasilla chamber in the red

WASILLA — In yet another sign of the looming economic recession, the president of the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce announced they will make changes in the face of a 2009 budget shortfall.

On April 7, Cheryl Combs addressed the members of the GWCC with the reasons for the shortfall.

First, revenue from membership did not meet expectations.

Second, both the 2008 King Salmon Derby and the 2009 Iditarod Days Festival brought in severely reduced income.

Third, there were unexpected maintenance costs on chamber headquarters.

“(The shortfall) is from the economy at large,” Combs said. “We will continue to have memberships and activities, but we wanted the members to know what was going on.”

“We had things happen that were beyond our control,” said GWCC executive director Cheryl Metiva, “but we are very, very confident we are going to get through this.”

One of the unexpected expenses was rewiring the train depot that serves as the chamber’s office. There was no room in the razor-thin budget for the $13,000 cost, Metiva said.

Because the GWCC is a 501(c)(6) non-profit, they do not qualify for the same grants as a 501(c)(3) non-profit group. Their funding is solely dependent on revenue from membership dues and fundraisers.

“During last year’s King Salmon Derby, the Deshka closed halfway through the derby,” said Metiva.

The GWCC actually lost money on what is typically one of their best fundraisers.

Despite the budgetary shortfall, both Metiva and Combs remain optimistic about the future of the GWCC.

“It’s really exciting to see the enthusiasm that’s been building from our members,” said Metiva. “We are taking excellent measures to check and regroup.”

“We’ve asked the members for their help with any finical support or solutions,” said Combs. “Many of them are small businesses struggling just like we are, but the membership has been very positive.”

Metiva said the board of directors is voting on which of the ideas from the members to approve, and declined to list them until after the vote. However, the GWCC already has their own steps in place.

First, the GWCC did not replace one of the full-time employees after the employee relocated. The office is now staffed by two instead of three.

Metiva has already spoken to the Department of Fish and Game and knows the Deshka is expected to close again sometime during this coming season. Instead of a king derby, the GWCC is going to hold a silver derby in August. They have partnered with the American Cancer Society to raise money to fight breast cancer.

Currently, GWCC is selling tickets for two raffles. The first is called “Dinner for a Month.” Twelve restaurants donated $100 gift certificates, and the winner gets all 12. For the second, Princess Tours donated two tickets for the Midnight Sun Express and a two-night stay at their Denali Lodge.

Tickets for each are $20, and the winners will be announced at the Tuesday lunch on June 2.

Combs hopes these measures, as well as the ideas suggested by the members, will re-energize the GWCC and continue to be the advocate for the economic growth Wasilla needs.