Wasilla Chamber looks to the future

JOEL DAVIDSON/Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA - The Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce has experienced unprecedented growth in the last few years. Membership numbers have nearly doubled since 2002 and now stand at approximately 500.

On Tuesday, John Klapperich took over as the 2005 Chamber president, a position he also held in 2003. He knows the organization's members expect it to expand its influence and benefits and he is eager to tackle the challenge.

State Sen. Lyda Green, R-District G, thanked former Wasilla Chamber president Paddy Cohen for her leadership in 2004 and then introduced Klapperich to the packed luncheon crowd.

"We've had a wonderful year with Paddy Cohen. We've seen enormous growth in attendance and programs and we look forward to John Klapperich taking over," Green said.

Klapperich said he is excited about the coming year.

"We've enhanced member benefits and now you see larger crowds at the weekly lunches," Klapperich said in a phone interview Wednesday. "There's been many times at standing room only."

Klapperich will continue to focus on bringing quality speakers to the weekly luncheons but he also has a vision to expand the chamber.

"About 80 percent of Wasilla's sales tax comes from chamber members," he said. "Chamber members are out there busting their butts."

Klapperich said he'd like to see a chamber that is more closely aligned to city government.

"We should have a direct line to the economic development director," he said. "It's our advertising and marketing that's contributing to the sales tax."

For the future, Klapperich invisions a Greater Mat-Su Chamber of Commerce, comprised of all Valley chambers.

"If they are all together, we could have 700 to 800 members," Klapperich said. "I'm convinced that each chamber would be more effective if we pooled our membership."

A combined chamber of commerce would also bring more money under one larger organization, a benefit Klapperich said would enable the Valley to compete with chambers from Fairbanks and Anchorage.

"The community is looking for this chamber to perform," Klapperich said, "and the pressure is on."

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.