July 2022 Meeting Minutes

Freeport Merchants Association
Meeting Minutes
July 21st, 2022

Present:
Chase Barfield
Ethan Barfield
Yolanda Ellis
Aaron Ellis
Bill Blanken
Lori Logue
Nanci Spears
Josh Spears
Sam Gipson
Marion Gipson
Karissa Thompson
Rebecca Ison
Jamie Mcintoch
Mary Ambercrombie
Derek Hill
Alexis Billi
Clayton Hicks

Next meeting: August 18th, 2022, 8:00am, Blount House

1. Announcements

• Current Membership Total: 89 Members

• Current account balance: $12,110.56

• Expenses:

• Membership works, Band for event, Other supplies

Events Committee:

Evening Social Updates:

• August – Estelle’s Art Gallery

• September – Blanken Management and Old Pelican

• October, November, and December are open

Membership Committee:

New Members:

• The Savage Project

New Member packet presentations: 

• Freeport Flooring: They are making a community space – meeting space – TV for weekends

• TheRutile.com: On August 9th they are doing a Live Trunk Show – will be every Tuesday night on Facebook. The majority of pieces are 50-75% off!

• Karissa Thompson: Massage Therapist working out of Freeport Family Chiropractic – Offers 45min sessions for target areas, hour, hour and a half and 2-hour sessions. She is available Monday – Friday while kids are in school. May add weekends

• Mary Ambercrombie w/ Mitchell Land and Title: Real estate settlements – buy/sell/refinance – help with all. Very hands-on with their clients. Also, offer surveys and assessments. 2 underwriters where most only have one. Also if you want to drop off your business card/info packets, they have created a space for all merchants so they can suggest to their clients.

General Topics:

Certificate from President of Rotary – They did a donation to the Polio Plus Fund in name of the FMA for $50.

Freeport Cheerleaders presented an Opportunity for Businesses to advertise in the football program. 

Open Discussion:

• Mayors Ball October 18th – raises funds for local neighbors in need.

• Most of the money is used for Christmas for kids – tree, decorations, gifts.

• There will be a silent auction.

• Sponsors can opt-in to be included in the swag bags, put on the website, etc.

• General admission is $40 each, $100 for Social Media Shoutout.

• The band Clinch 46 is playing again this year.

• Theme is Black and White with Glitter Gold

Bill Blanken – Food For Thought… They are a non-profit that has the Insufficient Food Program for Freeport.

• Currently, there are 189 kids in elementary school, 87 in middle school, and 100 in the high school

  • On Fridays, they get a bag of food to feed them for the week.

They are looking for Drivers! 

• To pick up bags on Thursday and bring to schools on Friday

  • Pick up is in Miriam of 393

Skippers sold to Family Dollar/Dollar Tree – They close on 8/18 and construction starts on 8/19