Warrenville chamber still trying to survive

Last month, the Warrenville Chamber of Commerce was in jeopardy of closing its doors.

Now chamber officials are taking steps to ensure the survival of the business organization.

Since getting a $10,000 financial lifeline from the city, the chamber slashed the executive director's pay by 10 percent and eliminated one part-time position. There also are plans to replace or eliminate some of the chamber's monthly and annual events.

"We are positive that the chamber, with the support of its members and the city, will come back as a stronger and financially healthier organization best designed to serve the Warrenville region as a business and civic partner," the board of directors wrote in a recent e-mail to chamber members.

Calls to Brian Caldwell, chairman of the chamber's board of directors, weren't returned.

Mayor Dave Brummel said the city is doing what it can to help the chamber develop a long-term solution to its financial woes.

"We consider the chamber to be an integral part of the community," Brummel said. "So we are meeting with them in hopes of finding ways to encourage them to do whatever is necessary to keep going during these tough times so they are ready to face better times later on."

Established in 1962, the Warrenville chamber's mission is to enhance and support business and development. It organizes a variety of activities, including the Summer Daze festival, the annual Citizenship Awards and the "State of the City" address.

But in July, city officials learned the chamber was in dire financial shape. Factors that contributed to the budgetary woes include fewer sponsorship dollars for chamber events, falling membership and decreased financial support from the city.

Because of repeated budget deficits in recent years, the chamber spent all of its reserves and was facing the possibility of running out of cash.

Then last month, the Warrenville City Council voted to give the chamber $10,000 to stay open long enough for a permanent solution to be considered. The city also might try to find space where the chamber can operate rent-free, officials said.

Chamber board members said in their e-mail that long-range alternatives are being considered, including "internal program revisions" and a possible merger with one or more local chambers. "As you know, all of the chambers are struggling in this economic time," the e-mail reads.

"I don't know that I would say that it's a serious option at this point," Brummel said of the merger idea. "But certainly everyone is looking at that."

In the meantime, the chamber is surveying members to see what events and programs they consider most beneficial. Brummel said the goal is to prioritize chamber offerings.

"Obviously with less staff, they are going to have less ability to do some of the things they've done in the past," the mayor said.

What's most important is that the Warrenville Chamber of Commerce continue.

"Chambers do a valuable service to the communities that they are in," Brummel said. "We would like to see them stick them around."