FREEPORT — The new Freeport Chamber of Commerce met Wednesday, Nov. 4, to elect an interim board of directors.
Their charge over the next few months is to create the guidelines, bylaws and goals of the organization.
More than 50 people attended the meeting. They were asked to elect nine members to the interim board from 16 business owners who stepped forward to run. The winners were:
Ed Bonney, a longtime resident and founder of the Freeport Economic Development Corp. and Freeport Merchant’s Association; Carolyn Beem, L.L. Bean spokeswoman; Wendy Caisse, owner of Buck’s Naked BBQ and member of the Planning Board and FEDC; Jeanne Carpentier, general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Freeport Downtown; Town Councilor Jim Cassida; Chip Gray, owner of the Harraseeket Inn and member of the Maine Tourism Association; Adam Nappi, owner of Bow Street Market and member of the FEDC; Lisa Turner, owner of Laughing Stock Farm and past president of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, and Peter Warren, founder of the Warren Construction Group and member of the YMCA and Freeport Community Services.
Cassida said the chamber is representative of a diverse group of area businesses including retail, lodging, restaurants, trade and professional services.
“This interim board will do the heavy lifting for the organization by completing a whole host of documents and recommendations,” he said. “In a few months when the work is complete, the group will vote on the documents.”
In the meantime, Cassida said all the interim board meetings are open to the public.
Chamber membership development officer Wynne Levine said more than 65 people have joined the chamber so far.
“We are demonstrating chamber value,” she said. “We’ve invited businesses from Portland and the Mid-Coast areas and are making new connections every day.”
Levine said she is confident the chamber will continue to grow and gain momentum.
The next meeting of the interim board will be Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 7:30-9 a.m. at the Freeport Community Center.To join the chamber or for more information, contact Levine at 798-9107.
Amy Anderson can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 110 or aanderson@theforecaster.net
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