When it comes to being the cheerleader and supporter of businesses in Kimball there is one place that could be considered the headquarters; that place is the Kimball-Banner Chamber of Commerce.

Currently headed by Rod Horton, the chamber was officially incorporated in Dec. 1952. Again, its purpose was to support business and general commerce in town.

Fifty-eight years later that purpose remains the same.

Horton said that the chamber’s job is “to promote Kimball as a place to live, visit, and retire.”

The chamber is the cheerleader of Kimball,” he said.

On a day-to-day basis Horton answers inquiries about places to eat, stay, visit and things to do here.

Beyond those things though, the chamber also does things to promote Kimball at the community level.

“The chamber also hosts functions to promote the area and businesses,” Horton said.

Horton said some of these events include Farmer’s Day, Sidewalk Sales, the fireworks display, and a shopping card that debuted this Christmas season.

The shopping card encouraged shoppers to spend their money at local businesses.

Essentially, if you filled up the card by spending money at local businesses you were then entitled to a $50 check of chamber dollars.

Horton said the chamber gave out 78 cards and had 47 returned full and 11 returned partially full. In total the chamber paid out $2695.

“This represent $26,950 of goods and services purchased from Kimball businesses from Thanksgiving to Christmas,” he said.

The project was completely funded by the Business Boosters,  he said.

“I think it went over pretty well,” Horton said.

Horton said for chamber members there is a web site available to them to promote their business.

“Our web site is a big thing,” he said.

The web site is linked to the chamber page and provides members with a chance to set up their own space on the world wide web.

“This is something we (the chamber) really want to promote,” he said, “It’s a great way to promote your business online.”

Unfortunately this has been a tough year for the chamber. Horton said that, although they have acquired new members, they have lost some as well. Now Horton must work to recruit new members or entice old ones back.

Which is a gold for 2011.

On the horizon, Horton said the chamber is planning on a few events this year.

A golf tournament or two may be in the works as well as a membership drive.

Other events coming up include the poet laureate contest with entries due by Feb. 7 by noon, How to Catch a Leprechaun, Sidewalk Sales and more.

Keep your eyes peeled for more.