By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
Utilizing an old Army recruiting slogan, "The Caledonia Chamber of Commerce needs you!"

Actually, another recruiting slogan, "Theyíre looking for a few good residents," might be a little more appropriate.

During a recent chamber meeting, considerable discussion centered around finding an affordable way to staff the chamber office.

Several years ago the chamber and the Houston County Fair Board began renting an office at 214 East Main Street. Pat (PJ) Johnson served as the fair boardís secretary and also volunteered her services as the chamberís secretary. Housing the two organizations in one office was a good fit, as they shared the rent, utilities, and other office expenses. Johnson worked in the office preparing for the county fair each summer, and spent countless hours answering email and phone inquiries from persons wishing to find out more about the Caledonia area.

Earlier this year however, Johnson became part owner of the Pine Cone Place in downtown Caledonia. Being part owner of a retail business open six days a week put a real crimp in the number of hours Johnson could volunteer to the chamber of commerce. She still volunteers her services on Wednesdays, but the number of hours the chamber office is open has dwindled significantly.

The chamber has a half dozen faithful persons who volunteer their time to help keep the office open about 15 hours per week, according to Chamber President Sue Bauer. The chamber office receives numerous calls and emails from fishermen, turkey and deer hunters, as well as persons wishing to get more information about potential camping spots. Because of the limited staff, some of those emails have gone unanswered for a week or more.

"Caledonia has so much to offer," Bauer continued. "Besides the wonderful natural resources in the area, we also have a number of nationally-know businesses - Caledonia Haulers, Miken Sports, and Sno-Pac Foods. These are things we need to promote."

Southeast Minnesota has become a very popular tourist destination during the past decade. Communities like Lanesboro, Preston, Harmony, Rushford, and most recently, Houston (with the extension of the Root River Trail), have seen drastic resurgences in their local economies, thanks to tourism. The popular hiking and biking trail is working its way across Houston County. And while it might be some time before the proposed loop from Harmony to Caledonia and north to Beaver Creek State Park and on to Houston, becomes a reality, the tourism ripple effect is being felt here.

The throngs of visitors utilizing the trail, tubing or canoeing the Root River, touring the Amish communities, and staying at the ever-growing number of B&Bs, are looking for more. Do they go west to the prairie, or east to the dramatic hardwood-covered hills of Houston County? For most folks, thatís a no-brainer.

With Beaver Creek State Park just two miles from town, being nestled smack jab in the middle of the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood forest, and less than a dozen miles from the Mississippi River, Caledonia does have so much of offer. The community needs to promote these positives, and also attempt to encourage new business to town.

Thatís where the chamber comes in. Communities that have prospered, thanks to tourism dollars, have very active promotional organizations.

The Caledonia Chamber of Commerce is currently looking at different ways of increasing the number of hours the local office is open. The group decided to survey its membership to solicit ideas or suggestions. Working with the city, the local Economic Development Authority, or the Southeast Development Corporation, as well as sharing an office person with a local business, were all ideas brought up at the June 27 chamber meeting.

If you have a little time on your hands, and would like to help promote your community, get in touch with one of the chamber members, or better yet, attend the twice-monthly breakfast meetings. The chamber meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of each at 8 a.m. at the chamber office.

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Caledonia Argus
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