Representatives of around 20 local businesses attended the Clear Valley Business Connection (CVBC) annual meeting and 5th annual chili cook-off held at Rejoice Lutheran Church in Clearwater Thursday. 

 

CVBC will be holding an expo/job fair type event this spring called “Explore Clearwater/Clear Lake.” The event will be held at the Clearwater Legion; tables will be free for CVBC members and $50 for nonmembers. Individual businesses will hold drawings at their tables.

 

After a discussion among members, it was decided to hold the event Sun., April 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to take advantage of people attending the Legion’s breakfast. 

 

Local businesses will be called and sent an email to gauge interest. Businesses who respond by March 1 will be listed on the event flyer. 

 

The event will be featured in the Citizen-Tribune with advertisements and a feature. Signs from Franklin Outdoor will be put in front of Coborn’s and at a location in Clear Lake. Clearwater Mayor Pete Edmonson volunteered to create the event flyer.

 

Motions passed to pay for flyers and signage.

 

Lori Johnson from Johnson Materials, Inc. was elected president, Pastor Steve Timm from Rejoice Lutheran Church was elected vice president, and Eron Bordson from Clearwater Family Chiropractic was re-elected treasurer. Andrea Zerwas from NovaCare retained her secretary position, but will be sharing it with a co-secretary, Jenny Massmann from American Heritage Bank. Dan Meer from Clear

Waters Outfitting was elected to fill the open director position.

 

Nine attendees entered their homemade chili in the 5th annual chili cook-off held during the annual meeting. After votes were tallied, Johnson’s chili came in first, and Bordson’s placed second.

 

Edmonson gave a brief report on recent city happenings, including updates on Kwik Trip, orderly annexation down Hwy. 24, and the new Hwy. 24 Mississippi River Bridge.

 

The group agreed to run the same CVBC ad in the Clearwater/Clear Lake Community Guide again this year. A motion passed approving the cost as long as it’s similar to last year.

 

Edmonson informed attendees they were looking for new people to help organize the Heritage Days volunteers. 

 

The group agreed to sponsor Rejoice Lutheran Church’s membership dues as payment for using their facility. 

 

The next CVBC quarterly meeting will be April 20 at Rejoice Lutheran Church. The theme will be hot dish.