The idea of a business hub for Humboldt is dead after some chamber of commerce members expressed doubts about the project at a meeting on Oct. 8.
It has been less than a month since the chamber announced the home for the future business hub would be 1305 8th Avenue. The site was expected to house the chamber offices as well as offer space for businesses currently without it.
Instead, the chamber will continue to operate out of its current office on Highway 5 next to the mini-putt.
According to chamber executive director DonnaLyn Thorsteinson, members expressed two major concerns: first, that a non-profit organization like the chamber would take on the role of landlord and property manager; and second, that the chamber would in effect be competing against some of its own members by supplying office space for rent.
Thorsteinson said there was a lot of positive feedback, but not enough that the chamber was willing to move ahead with the project.
"We just didn't get enough consistent support," Thorsteinson said. "We have to respect the opinion of our members."
The idea for a business hub was largely Thorsteinson's, and she admitted that she wasn't expecting the negative feedback, though a lack of communication may have done the project in.
"I was a little surprised by the negative comments," she said, "but I don't think the process was totally transparent and that was a lesson to learn for us. We got caught up in the momentum and excitement of it all."
Concerns were also raised about the cost of renting the building and the size of the space. Taken together, these objections were enough to convince the chamber to back away from a project that had seemed a sure thing only a few weeks ago. Tim Graf and Daryl Knackstedt own the property and took it off the market when they received verbal assurances from the chamber that they would lease it. Graf was told that the chamber was no longer interested in leasing the space on Sept. 27.
"It was a bit unusual," he said. "Normally when we receive a commitment like that it goes through."
Even with the surprise twist, Graf expressed no ill will toward the chamber and said he hoped to collaborate with the organization in the future.
Despite the chamber's abandonment of the business hub, Thorsteinson still believes in the concept.
"I think it was a fantastic idea, and still think it's a great idea," she said. "After hearing from our members, it just wasn't the right time or idea for us. I still think we've shown people the idea can work and I would be excited to see somebody else take it on."
