JAMES WOOD

Staff Writer

In a move of cooperation from the City of Shelbyville, the City Council authorized the investment of $20,000 into a Chairman Level Membership sponsor with the Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce during its latest regular session.

In late 2023, the City had previously pulled its appropriations to the Partnership due to a strained relationship between the two entities at the time. During the Council’s last meeting, however, a motion to formally reestablish connection to it was made.

With the Chairman Level Membership, the City is granted full membership in the Chamber along with other various benefits.

“You would be in the top membership group,” said City Recorder Lisa Smith.

The original plan was to come in with $10,000 of funding, however the motion had been raised to come in at $20,000 during the meeting.

Councilmember Josh Blevins made the motion to approve the investment with Councilmember Henry Feldhaus seconding.

“I think the Chamber has been doing good work in the community,” said Blevins. “It’s a relationship that has been broken for over two years.”

Among some of the incentives that were mentioned by Blevins to rejoin included a strengthened city-county relationship, supporting small business and a good will gesture to the Chamber.

“We’re ready to put everything back together,” said Shelbyville Mayor Randy Carroll.

The Council voted to approve the motion unanimously, formally reestablishing the connection between them and the Chamber.

The reconnection with the Chamber will also coincide with its restructuring and the appointment of CEO Joe Marchesoni.

“We’re excited to collaborate with the City of Shelbyville while continuing our long-standing support with Bedford County, as we build a united community advancing Economic Development, Workforce Development, and Tourism,” said Marchesoni.