Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce Asks for $10,000 Grant From City

The Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce has requested a $10,000 grant from the city to fund "on-going business improvement efforts," upgrade its computer system and website and help pay for the 11th annual Art, Jazz & Wine Fest scheduled for Oct. 5 and 6 in downtown Pleasant Hill.

Chamber President Joe Stokley asked for the money back in January and has since provided more information about how it will be spent, at the request of the Pleasant Hill Budget Committee. The city council will consider approving the grant at the June 3 meeting.

According to the chamber, more than $7,000 of the total grant will be used to upgrade "antiquated technology" and install a new all-inclusive software system that includes "a new website, information management and social media aspects" that would help "better serve" the chamber's members and the Pleasant  Hill "business community.

"This will help us in attracting new residents and businesses to Pleasant Hill," states the grant application from the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce.

The remaining grant money will be put towards the $17,000 cost of the Pleasant Hill Art, Jazz and Wine Festival in the fall. The City of Pleasant Hill already contributes $2,500 to the festival in addition to in-kind donations of staff time for permit processing, event logistics coordination and printing, as well as around $3,000 in costs for street closure. The city is also a member of the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce and pays an annual due of $350.

The staff recommendation is to approve the grant, because "the primary goals of the Chamber are both similar and complimentary to the City’s economic development goals to foster active and effective business support systems," according to the staff report being considered June 3. 

The city would use its Economic Development budget to pay for the $10,000 grant. This section of the General Fund is reserved for projects and programs "that have been identified by the Economic Development committee to enlarge the City’s revenue base to sustain and support the community," according to the 2012-14 biennial budget. Economic Development expenditures for the 2013-14 fiscal year are estimated at $353,000.

Do you think the City of Pleasant Hill should grant $10,000 to the Chamber of Commerce? Share your thoughts in the comments.