Athol gets down to business

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

ATHOL — Janet Ellis has made it her business to help start a chamber of commerce in Athol.

"It's time," she said. "There's a lot of other communities with far fewer residents that have chambers."

Ellis and others interested in forming the nonprofit will hold an organizational meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, at Athol City Hall.

"Having a chamber in Athol has been talked about off and on over the years, but it just never happened," Ellis said.

She said what revived those talks was a recommendation from the Athol Community Review, spearheaded by the Idaho Rural Partnership.

Ellis was among the residents who participated in the public input process last fall during the review program.

"I volunteered to look into it and here we are," she said.

Ellis said the chamber of commerce could organize events such as Athol Daze, a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and the community Easter egg hunt.

"I know some of that sounds small-town, but being a small town is what we want to capitalize on," she said.

Ellis retired recently and said she has time to dedicate toward the effort, especially during the winter. Her husband, John, is the pastor at the Gates of Praise Church and is among her helpers.

"He's making a lot of the key contacts for me," she said.

Ellis said she's encouraged about the excitement and volunteers for a chamber of commerce.

"A friend of mine already has a website about ready to roll and another is a proofreader," she said. "I'm really pleased about the cooperation."

Ellis said even though the chamber of commerce hasn't officially formed and is not yet accepting members, about 35 people have already verbally committed to the future nonprofit.

Ellis said the chamber of commerce will offer different levels of membership, including for those inside the 83801 ZIP code and those outside it.

"We know there is genuine interest in Athol from beyond city limits," she said. "We want to include them and embrace them."

Ellis said most residents realize Athol is going to grow.

"We'd like to have a voice in some of that," she said.