Future looks bright for Havre Chamber of Commerce

The Havre Area Chamber of Commerce held its 110th annual Chamber luncheon in the Olympic Room of the Duck Inn Wednesday, including introducing Curtis Lineweaver as the new Chamber president.

Lineweaver, who is replacing outgoing president Havre Daily News Publisher Stacy Mantle, is a financial advisor at D.A. Davidson & Co.

He said he felt good about being the next president of the Chamber and was excited to get started.

Lineweaver went over the various committees within the Chamber and gave a brief description of their importance.

"We're going to be revamping the committees and just trying to breathe a little more life into some of them," Lineweaver said. "because they really are the workhorse (of the Chamber)."

He added that a new committee will be formed this year, the Commission Visitor Bureau. Lineweaver said because that committee is brand-new he would head it to get a feel for the position.

Havre qualified for the bureau on the state level, Lineweaver said, and the money generated from it will be used to help fund tourism. The bureau will work alongside the Chamber Tourism Committee.

"We're working now on a new website that's more tourism-driven," he added. "To kind of draw people to see what is here - retail, restaurants, attractions, hotels."

He said the goal is to have the new website completed by June.

Chamber Executive Director Jody Olson said https://www.havreareaevents.com/ and the Havre Facebook page have been very successful. She said the Facebook was helpful in promoting her message to "stay local and shop local."

She added that last year's ice fishing event was a success and that the raffle was also a success. Olson said the money raised from the raffle went to help fund local scholarships for high school students.

Olson said this year's ice fishing tournament is canceled due to a shortage of ice on the reservoirs, although the raffles still will be conducted with the drawings Jan. 26.

In an effort to attract more tourists to the Havre area, Olson said, she is going to Minnesota and will hand out brochures highlighting all the things Havre has to offer. Olson said Minnesota has the second-most travelers who pass through Havre.

This year, Olson said, the Chamber will focus on updating its social media presence, as well.

She added that NorthWestern Energy will be helping to light up Town Square at some time in the future. She said she spoke with Josh Peck regarding the lighting and was told by him that they would "light it up like Times Square."

Olson said the new board members for the Chamber of Commerce this year will be Alyssa Crawford from Crawford Distillery and The Yellow Tin Cup, Shaina Hofeldt from Andy's Supper Club, Shaylee Lewis from Lewis Heating and Air Conditioning, Kimmi Boyce from Boyce and Berry Flowers and Shawn Huravitch from NorthWestern Energy.

She added that there will also be some new representatives on the board, such as Mayor Tim Solomon, who will be representing the city, and Montana State University-Northern student representative Brooke Elliot.

Olson, who is in her second year as Chamber executive director, added that the meeting was exciting for her because it was her first annual meeting. Olson said she was unable to attend last year due to personal reasons.