The May meeting was at the Eureka College Cerf Center with 19 people in attendance. The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. The April minutes were approved. Treasurer Eldon LiaBraaten said the balance is $6453.57.
Committee Reports:
Ambassador Committee: Rick Robinson distributed the first EBA directory.
Brighten Our Business: Eldon LiaBraaten said they are planting this evening, beginning at 4:30. 12-15 volunteers will be needed. Several new businesses are participating.
4th of July Parade: Bryant Ruder said parade plans are in progress.
Reagan Fest: Jim Fyke said booth applications have been mailed. Heidi Bowman said she will begin working on Taste of Eureka at the beginning of June.
City:
Jim Meares said city-wide garage sales will be held May 17. At least 68 participants have signed up. The new playground equipment will be installed in June. The city is also installing a new upgrade siren. Jim Meares requested that people contact him with questions before the EBA meetings so he would have time to obtain the needed information.
Sesquicentennial Update:
Laura Siscoe said that the last meeting was very well attended. The next meeting will be in late August.
Old Business:
EBA Gift Certificates: Ty Meiss said in about a month the committee hopes to have a series of informational meetings for businesses. He recommended that businesses that wish to participate pay $10 this year to cover marketing expenses. A motion was made and carried.
Sesquicentennial Summer Band Concerts: Brandon Bressner has discussed the concerts with several area bands. He will continue to look into the matter and report back. Sponsorship by the EBA and the cost was discussed.
New Business:
Jim Fyke passed around samples of towns’ history books, as a similar book is being created for Eureka’s Sesquicentennial. Businesses, organizations, and individual families can purchase pages to share their history. Full pages are $235; half pages are $185. The book will cost $37.50. Contact Jim at 467-4525 for more information.
Boy Scout Flags: A motion was made and carried to sponsor five flags.
Library Business Databases: Nancy Scott encouraged everyone to come in and explore the new databases at the library.
Brief Business Update:
Cynthia Baer of Woodford County Extension thanked EBA members for all their letters of support.
Eureka “Buy Locally” Discussion and economic Development Conference Wrap-up:
The committee has continued to learn from business classes’ presentations at Eureka College. Nancy Scott thanked Kat Arnold for all of her hard work on organizing the conference on May 9. It is up to us in the business community to make sure the momentum of the conference continues. Kat Arnold is interested in having another conference in six months.
