Chamber Honors Clint Gunter

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce honored Clint Gunter as January’s Volunteer of the Month. Clint’s hard work and willingness to get involved in the community is one to be honored.

“When I spoke to people about this month’s nomination for the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce’s Volunteer of the month, one word came up over and over again. That word was DEDICATED,” explained Ken Wood. “People told me that he was DEDICATED to his family, DEDICATED to his career, DEDICATED to his friends, DEDICATED to whatever cause he gets involved with.  And this dedication shines through on his commitment to our community.  This DEDICATED individual and this month’s Volunteer of the Month is Clint Gunter of Sandpoint Furniture.”

Clint is involved in the Bulldog Financial Fair, a one-day event held for local high school seniors to understand the in and outs of finances and life after high school. In addition, Clint volunteers a great deal of time to Bulldog Bench, an organization geared at helping our local school athletic departments. Due to his ongoing dedication to our community, Clint has been asked to be on several local organizations Board of Directors and is recognized as a leader in our community. Clint has been involved in all of this, while at the same time serving as the youngest President ever of the Pacific Furniture Dealers. 

“Having grown up in Sandpoint, many of the opportunities that were available to me when I was young came from volunteers who love this community as much as I do,” explained Clint Gunter. “Like most folks in the greater Sandpoint area, my passion for helping with local programs is not driven by recognition, but to pass along opportunities that were afforded to me. While our community needs change from year to year, all of us here at Sandpoint Furniture Carpet One are committed to an active role in keeping this a wonderful place to work, live, and play for future generations.”

Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Clint Gunter for being honored as the Volunteer of the Month and thanking him for all of his contributions and dedication to our community. From the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, as well as the whole community, Thank You! 

Left to right: Ken Wood presents Clint Gunter with Volunteer of the Month Award. 

Looking forward to 2014- Sandpoint Business Improvement District

Good afternoon, Sandpoint Business Improvement District members:
My name is Kim Queen, and I am the recently hired Business Improvement District (now B.I.D., formerly DSBA) Manager for Sandpoint.  I am writing to you today to introduce myself, and also to supply some information on how the B.I.D. functions, and what you can expect from us in the coming year.
Unlike the former DSBA, the B.I.D. is no longer a ‘stand-alone’ agency.  The B.I.D. has an oversight Council with representatives from the 9 identified sectors of the District: Restaurants, Education, Real Estate, Professional/Banking/Law, Health Care, Retail, Arts/Entertainment, Lodging, and At Large/Miscellaneous.  This Council also has 4 Ad Hoc members representing the City of Sandpoint, Bonner County Economic Development Corporation, the Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency, and a member of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. 

The B.I.D. is now managed by the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, utilizing the talents of a well-trained team committed to promoting all Sandpoint has to offer, to locals and visitors alike.  This large team has recently completed a 2014 Strategic Plan for the B.I.D., with time-specific deliverables. To view the deliverables document, please click here

The B.I.D. Manager and Chamber team are currently streamlining administrative tasks involved in running the District with 400+ active members (as in, creating a member database, and designing a new, user-friendly and up-to-date website), as well as promoting the entire District through multi-media advertisement opportunities and numerous events aimed at drawing potential customers to the B.I.D. – and keeping them there!
In celebration of 40 years of the Winter Carnival, the B.I.D. will be promoting Sandpoint by reprising the Winter Carnival Parade of Lights on Friday evening, February 21^st.  We are working with numerous community partners to provide more than a week of family-friendly events to showcase our amazing town during a time that is historically ‘slow’, as far as business/income opportunities go.  This is one of several public events your B.I.D. dollars support, to further the vision a vibrant downtown benefits EVERYONE.
More information will be coming your way soon on how you can get involved in upcoming events, quarterly financial reporting on how the B.I.D. is utilizing funds,  as well as communications regarding some of the different items on the agenda at City Council potentially effecting your business (such as sign codes, parking issues, etc.).  Please keep an eye out for e-mails with FROM THE B.I.D. DESK in the subject line – it’s not SPAM!  
Thank you, I look forward to working with you all.

Kim Queen, Manager
Sandpoint Business Improvement District
Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Honors Sweet Lou’s

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Sweet Lou’s as December’s Business of the Month. After opening their first location in Hope in April 2011, they have loved being a part of our community and give back in numerous ways. In February of 2012, Sweet Lou’s in Ponderay is now their year round location with the same great menu and standards as their Hope location but with a family sports-bar angle.

“At Sweet Lou’s, I make great food and excellent customer service our top priorities,” explained owner Chad Foust. He added, “During training, I stress to my employees the importance of a satisfied customer, not only with their meal, but their entire experience while in the restaurant.”

They realize the importance of giving back to the community that has given them the opportunity to live out their dream as business owners. While they wish they could give to all organizations, they are strategic in their philanthropic efforts. We focus our giving efforts on local children, public education, cancer services, youth sports and the Panhandle Animal Shelter. A few of the organizations they support to include the Long Bridge Swim, 24 Hours for Hank, local sport teams, Hope Memorial Center, Relay For Life, Bulldog Bench, Susan G. Komen Foundation, EXCEL Foundation, The Festival of Trees, SHS Grad Night and Kinderhaven.

“We are reminded daily with how blessed we are to live and work in beautiful Sandpoint, ID,” added Chad. “Our town has provided us with great business opportunities, but more important, it has provided us with a home and a lifestyle that can be based around family and we are eternally grateful.”

Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Sweet Lou’s for their success and thanking them for their commitment to our community. For more information, visit their Ponderay location at 477272 US Hwy 95 or their Hope location at 46624 Hwy 200, call them at 265-5999 and 263-1381 respectively, visit www.sweetlousidaho.com. Like them on Facebook, facebook.com/sweetlous.

In photo: left to right, Carol Warren and Chad Foust.