Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Representatives Meredith Caddell and Deborah Wright, in
background left, met with Hopkins County Judge Cletis Millsap, Joyce Bateman, former County
HomeDemonstration Agent Janie Crump, and County Agent Larry Spradlin, on Thursday afternoon
to complete the sale of the Chamber of Commerce Building to the county, for offices for the
Texas Agri-Life Sciences Department.

"Signed, Sealed, and Delivered...."
Chamber of Commerce Sells Building,
And Purchases New Location

by: Bobby McDonald

 

"It's a strategic move for the Chamber of Commerce, that has been in the works for about a year or more," expressed Chamber of Commerce Board President Deborah Wright. "The idea for us to sell our building, located on Houston Street, was first discussed in a Long Range Planning Committee Meeting, approximately a year ago. Then, County Judge Cletis Millsap contacted me about us being willing to sell. Negotiations followed and today we're completing the deal."

"The Chamber of Commerce Building on Houston Street was more room than we needed, following a move by the Economic Development Corporation, earlier in the year, and we felt it was in our best interest to move closer to the 'action' that is being done with revitalizing the downtown area," continued Wright. "It has been a series of meetings and getting everyone working on the same page, but we've finally got everything ready to be signed!"

 

Everyone was "all smiles" as County Judge Cletis Millsap signed the papers Thursday afternoon,
purchasing the Chamber of Commerce building to house the Extension Service.

 

"And, we're really excited!" expressed County Agent Larry Spradlin. "The Texas Agri-Life Sciences offices, that are located on Hinnant Street have been too small for our operations for a long, long time. This will allow us to have space to better serve the people of Hopkins County and a meeting area to conduct the many, many meetings that we conduct each month. We have room for the agricultural meetings, the home economics meetings, and the 4-H meetings to all be conducted within the bounds of our offices! It will be great!"

 

Following the signing of the sale papers on the Chamber of Commerce Building to Hopkins County, Wright and newly appointed Chamber CEO, Meredith Caddell, left that meeting and made their way to Hopkins County Abstract Company, where they signed the papers, purchasing the building located at 300 Connally Street. "This building will give us plenty of room to conduct our programs, allow for us to have adequate storage that we are purchasing in other locations in town, and to be 'in the middle' of the Downtown Revitalization efforts," expressed Caddell. "It is a win-win situation for everyone!"

Meredith Caddell and Deborah Wright left one signing for another, as they came to Hopkins County
Abstract and signed the papers to purchase the building located at 300 Connally Street, to house
the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce.

 

"We have plans to make the move to the downtown area sometime around November, as there is a tennant in our new building, that we must give time to relocate," expressed Wright.

"I'm excited about the move and the possiblities that this allows for us to serve our members," stated Caddell. "So, many times people walking into our door at the Chamber Office have been lost for the past 10 minutes! I think most people expect the Chamber of Commerce to be located somewhere near the downtown area. That has become even more critical with the future plans taking place in our downtown!"

 

 

"The Chamber of Commerce in Sulphur Springs had been historically located in the downtown, until the building was built on Houston Street," advised Wright. "And, that building has served us well, but times change and it calls for moves that will more strategically locate you to where you need to be!"

A new home for the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, will be at 300 Connally Street, where they will be located
near the downtown revitalization efforts. Caddell and Wright advised that the move will take place in November of 2008.

 

"It will be 'business as usual' at the Chamber of Commerce, and none of our services will be altered in any way," advised Caddell. "We'll still be hosting the ice cream contest this weekend and have already got most of our plans for the Fall Festival Hopkins County Stew Contest solidified. It's just that come November, we'll be operating at a new location near the downtown area, where hopefully we can be advantageous in helping to make the center of our town a more beautiful and viable place to conduct business!"

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