Chamber plans office move

Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce is moving house.

After several years of working out of the Julia Butler Hansen House at the intersection of Butler Street and Main Street, the chamber is moving its offices to the other end of Main Street and back into its former quarters in the Scarborough Building.

The move will occur before February 15, Chamber Director Ashley Turner announced at the group's meeting on January 14.

The primary reasons for the decision to move were the high maintenance and heating costs associated with the JBH House and a desire for increased visibility to visitors, Turner said. Some visitors have indicated that they did not notice the chamber office because they believed the building to be in use as a residence, she explained.

Chamber board member Sandi Rieder added that the community foundation that owns the building is committed to keeping its doors open, likely by using a park host agreement.

The Chamber has other projects scheduled for this spring, including the annual crab and oyster feed scheduled for March 15 and a salmon derby to raise funds for scholarships.

Turner said the date for the salmon derby will be set once the fishing season is announced at the end of January.

Turner plans to attend a bridal show later in the spring to market Wahkiakum County's wedding venues to brides-to-be, she said.