By Hannah Garcia
Foley Onlooker
FOLEY, Alabama – As part of an agreement with the City of Foley, the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce will move from its current location on the intersection of Ala. 59 and U.S. 98 to a larger building downtown, according to officials.
In exchange for funding from the council to help pay the lease at its new space at 114 W. Laurel Ave., the chamber will take over responsibility the Heritage Harbor Days festival next year in addition to other city events in the future.
The chamber understands the importance of staying downtown, chamber CEO Donna Watts said, but as the organization grows, it will need a larger space.
The council planned to help the chamber expand at its current office a few years ago, Councilman Wayne Trawick said.
“There were glitches and it was pretty expensive. They’ve just been cramped ever since,” Trawick said.
The chamber will end its habitation of its current location Dec. 1, when it moves to the new spot, next to the Performing Arts Association gallery, about a few blocks west. The move should be complete by New Year’s Eve, Watts said.
“If we’re going to grow at all, we’re going to need the new facility,” Watts said.
The new facility is about twice as large as the old office, according to the chamber. The council said they would support the move at a work session Monday, but did not specify what amount the chamber would receive.
The details will be worked out in a contract for services with the city to be presented at the next council meeting Nov. 21.
