I would like to introduce myself to the community. This seems a bit odd to me as I have been a part of the Staples area for 17 years now and have lived in Todd County for over 34 years. I have been recently hired through the Staples Motley Area Chamber of Commerce to work with the chamber and the Staples Downtown Revitalization Board (SDRB).

I came to this area from East Bethel, just north of the Twin Cities, after graduating from Mankato State University to take a teaching job in Eagle Bend. I was there for 15 years before coming to the Freshwater Education District where I have been for 20 years. I took early retirement from education on July 31, 2009 and Freshwater hired me back on a consultant basis for about 10 hours a week.

I am excited to work with the chamber and SDRB to help our community grow and thrive. I am active in the Staples Historical Society, the Staples Motley Area Arts Council, the Lamplighter Community Theatre and the Staples Area Women’s Chorus.

My job will be to work with the chamber to increase and expand membership, assist with activities and events, develop and manage programs set by the SDRB, get community members engaged and involved with the SDRB process, and work with local businesses to support their efforts. If I can be of assistance, please don’t hesitate to give me a call.

The Staples Motley Area Chamber, the Staples Business Group, and the Staples Downtown Revitalization Board are working together to produce an Executive Summary of the survey that was conducted last Fall. This summary will be available to the community through the newspaper, in print form and through the chamber website. There will also be a map developed with business services available in our community. Results from the survey that affect specific businesses will be provided to these businesses on an individual basis through the chamber office.

We are also working on a campaign to keep our community and businesses going through the reconstruction that will take place this year in downtown Staples. If you have ideas and are willing to get involved, please feel free to contact me at the chamber office-218-894-3974 or email me at amy.coachamy@gmail.com

Amy Hunter is the Main Street Coordinator with the Staples Motley Area Chamber of Commerce and Staples Downtown Revitalization Board