2008 Projects

Fireworks -- This has been a longstanding project that works with the Fire Department and the City to produce a fireworks show on the 4th of July at the fairgrounds. Chairman -- Maxine Glynn

Redbud capitol of Nebraska -- In 2006 the Nebraska Legislature designated Pawnee City as the Red Bud Capitol of Nebraska. This will be the fourth year of this project, which started in 2005 when 200 trees were given to grade school students to plant. 100 larger Redbud trees were also planted throughout the city that year. The project's goal is to plant a redbud tree on every home lot in the city. This is a primary beautification project for our city and will continue to put us on the map. Every spring we anticipate hundreds of people visiting our town as the redbud trees burst into full bloom. By 2010, as the project continues to grow we hope to expand this to include a "Redbud festival" in the spring. This year we hope to expand this project into a beautification project that plants 30 Redbud trees and 30 larger Red maple trees. This will allow us to enjoy the beauty and color of the Redbud in the spring and the blazing color of the red maple in the fall. This is an easy project with a very limited time commitment as we can plant trees on Arbor Day with the help of members, families and students. Chairman -- Joe Davis. Co-chairman --Carolyn VanHorne

Welcome to Pawnee City -- This project funded two monument signs being placed on the north and east side of town. These signs are permanent signs for the city. This project was completed in 2007 and will not need additional funding in 2008.

December holiday promotion -- This project is to hold a major holiday promotion during the holidays to encourage people to shop in Pawnee City. In 2007 the promotion was a one-day event that included a free gas giveaway ($10 Pawnee Bucks) for people who purchased $100 from participating merchants. Free soup is provided by Subway, drawings for over $2000 in prizes, and pictures with Santa are just some of the promotions. Marketing of the event will include distribution of circulars in the Pawnee Republican as well as the Humboldt Standard and the Penny Press. Sunny 101.3 radio station will also do an onsite radio broadcast the day of the event. Chairman -- Maxine Glynn, Co-chairman -- Ron Puhalla

Welcome home Alumni weekend -- This would be the fourth annual event that would invite PCHS alumni for a special barbeque to be held on the Sunday prior to Memorial Day. This tournament and BBQ is designed as a great way to encourage alumni to visit their hometown and be used to target many of the middle aged and younger alumni (ages 25-60) that do not currently participate in the Alumni association luncheon. This would also be a primary marketing and recruiting tool for retirees, etc. Effort should be made to coordinate this event with the Alumni group if possible.
Chairman -- Sharon Schilling, Co-chairman - John Defreece

Mobile sign -- In 2006 the Chamber purchase a mobile flashing sign for rent and special events. In 2007 this sign was used to promote community events. It is also available to rent by members. Chairman -- Carolyn VanHorne

Outdoor summer theater -- One of the outstanding new programs the Chamber recently was an outdoor summer theater. An average of over 100 people attended the three movies held during the month of June, 2006 and 2007. This project would be to continue offering Saturday night outdoor movies in downtown Pawnee City after sunset. Last year the project was limited to the month of June, however many people have suggested that we expand the program to offer movies during both June and July. The project offers second run movies being shown on the lot east of Pete's Pharmacy. Families bring their own lawn chairs and blankets to sit on the slope and enjoy the free movie. In 2007 the project was enhanced with the rental of an inflatable 15 X 20 foot movie screen to allow easier viewing. Last year the Pawnee County Promotional Network assisted us with the project by helping to secure a projector and sound system. Free popcorn and pop were provided by the Chamber. The movies were provided by the Pawnee Library. 2008 Chairman -- Renee Boomgaarn, Co-chairman -- Joe Davis

Postcard from Pawnee City television campaign -- We have been able to secure from Time Warner Cable an exclusive package that would allow Pawnee City to have 30 second commercials on the Travel Channel and other high profile channels throughout eastern Nebraska. These commercials would invite people to visit Pawnee City's key attractions including the Schillingbridge Winery, Heavenly Treasurers, Memory Magic, Pedal Clinic, Historical Society and others. The commercials would also allow us to offer special advertising for special events such as the Civil War Reenactment, Red Bud festival, etc. A commercial would be played once an hour for 18 hours a day, 7 days a week. This would put Pawnee City on the map. These spots could also help us promote a campaign focusing on, "Pawnee City -- A great place to live". We would anticipate requesting businesses to contribute to help fund these commercials. Also a request will be made to the City of Pawnee City. Chairman -- Steve Glenn

Downtown Beautification -- This project would be to paint one downtown building. The Chamber would provide matching funds to purchase the paint for this project. An addition project would be to install decorative flower hangers throughout downtown on the lampposts. The Chamber would help coordinate the fundraising for this project. Chairman needed.

Web site update -- This project should be completed in 2008. We would update the www.pawneecity.com website showing all the new community activities as well as allow members to have a page on the site. 2008 Chairman -- Steve Glenn, Co-chairman Joe Davis

Community Auction -- This would be a new event for the Chamber and would be the major fundraiser for our organization. A community-wide auction (similar to the Table Rock Auction) would be held on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. Chamber members would be encouraged to provide items that could be auctioned off on a commissionable basis (20%) or donated basis (provide with donation receipt for tax purposes). Our goal would be to have $50,000 in items donated the first year with net proceeds of $10,000. Chairman needed

Scholarship Committee -- Award Scholarships to PCHS seniors each year. Chairman -- Renee Boomgaarn,

Membership Committee -- Recruit and retain Chamber members. Chairman -- Carolyn VanHorne,

Members can reach Chamber President Steve Glenn during the day by calling 800-737-0582 or at night at 852-2933 or email Steve at steveg@executivetravel.com.