Gurnee gets first chamber of commerce

Gurnee now has its own chamber of commerce, which supporters say can become a tool to help local businesses or a resource for companies looking to relocate.

For about the past seven years, the Lake County Chamber of Commerce operated a Gurnee affiliate as part of the larger organization. That idea ended earlier this year, which led to the recent formation of the stand-alone Gurnee Chamber of Commerce that's now operating.

Brad Jenks, the Gurnee chamber chairman and owner of Star Capital Management, said the split with the Lake County group became necessary.

"Over the seven years, it (operating as an affiliate) just didn't seem to be getting a lot of traction or going anywhere," Jenks said Tuesday.

Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik said she's excited the chamber is up and running about a month after a kickoff meeting at KeyLime Cove Water Resort. She said she expects village government and the new chamber to collaborate on business retention, recruitment and other initiatives.

"Every business that's come in has said they were surprised we don't have our own chamber," Kovarik said.

Potential ideas the village and chamber can work on include installing signs directing visitors to restaurants or creating a local trolley system to village attractions and businesses, she added. "I need the business community to tell me which ones get the most bang for the buck," Kovarik said.

Jenks said more than 50 businesses have joined the Gurnee chamber. "It's beyond our expectations," he said. "That's pretty significant, considering there is not a lot of money floating around in the economy these days."

To keep down costs, Jenks said, the chamber is operating with a "virtual" office through its Web site.

A Gurnee village board discussion on a chamber donation would be held after plans are developed for various initiatives, Kovarik said. The village can consider providing some money now that the chamber is a stand-alone operation serving Gurnee businesses, she added.