Earlier this year, Joni Kabana completed her Oregon Main Street grant and has fully restored the Spray General Store. She sees opportunities to bring the community together with music, art, and food.
This year's OFCC Annual Meeting will be held at the Spray General Store. Joni Kabana purchased the old store in 2020 after moving to Wheeler County. Kabana saw an opportunity to restore the building and to host community events. This is an image of the store prior to restoration.
The Oregon Frontier Chamber of Commerce (OFCC) is thrilled to extend an invitation to residents of Gilliam, Wheeler, and Sherman County for their annual meeting on Thursday, February 22, 2024. The event will take place at the recently renovated Spray General Store, with festivities kicking off at 5:30 PM.
The choice of the Spray General Store as the venue for this year's annual meeting holds special significance. The store has been a beneficiary of the tri-county chamber's support, having received the prestigious Main Street Revitalization grant in 2022. This grant, provided by Oregon Heritage, aims to preserve historic buildings and stimulate community and economic development. The OFCC, having expanded in 2022 to encompass the three frontier counties, played a crucial role in securing this grant.
Entering the Main Street Program, the OFCC introduced a groundbreaking "rural regional approach," earning praise from Oregon Main Street.
The Spray General Store's owner, Joni Kabana, dedicated herself to not only restoring the aging building but also bringing a diverse range of cultural events to Spray. These include hosting bands, film festivals with local students, markets, artists in residence programs, and various community events.
Kabana envisions the store as a hub for bringing people together through arts, music, and culinary experiences. This year's annual meeting will not only celebrate these achievements but also pay tribute to the efforts of former Executive Director K'Lynn Lane. Furthermore, the event will recognize outstanding businesses in each county.
An additional highlight of the evening is the anticipated announcement and introduction of the new Executive Director for the Oregon Frontier Chamber of Commerce. This pivotal role is crucial to the chamber's continued success and community impact.
Transportation options are available for those wishing to attend the annual meeting. Interested individuals can sign up for transportation through the Chamber.
The Oregon Frontier Chamber of Commerce encourages all residents to join in this celebration of community resilience, economic development, and the spirit of the tri-county region.
Transportation to the event will be provided free of charge. Anyone that wishes to take transportation to the event will need to sign up. The bus will leave at 4:15 PM from the Chamber building (Dunn Brothers Building on Main Street).
For more information and to sign up for transportation, please visit http://www.oregonfrontierchamber.com or contact Brooklynn Griffith at the OFCC by calling (541) 384-7777.
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