Karen Wages, CEO, Poteau Chamber of Commerce
By Karen Wages, CEO, Poteau Chamber of Commerce
“keeping you involved, informed and up-to-date”
I have been honored to be a part of the growth and development of the Chamber and the City of Poteau for 20 years. Looking at this new year brings changes that will take Poteau Chamber and the entire area next level for growth and development that will provide an extremely attractive quality of life with still a small simple town feeling. I stated “Poteau is alive in Twenty Twenty-Five. Now I can say “We are Stayin Alive.” Twenty-Twenty-Six is the pinnacle year for Poteau and the Chamber. The end of the year left with new businesses open and construction in progress still going for a new beginning for a new retail environment that will sustain this area for years to come. Driving Broadway as we lead our visitors through the city you will notice all the new locations of remarkably familiar franchise chains that have been located this past year. You will also see the construction and re-modeling of other new franchises and plans for even more.
The success of the Chamber as I continue to look back on where we began reflects the energy, vision, the heart of the people, businesses, and partners in the Poteau and LeFlore County Area. The Chamber is a leader as one of the most influential organizations in the community with a strong community partnership. Poteau Chamber has rebranded with a new strategic plan announcing a new logo and the Poteau Area Chamber that reflects the entire area of LeFlore County in which we lead and serve through economic development, membership, and partnership.
The partnership and leadership help make the chamber one of the best in the state. Our partners are progressing and constantly investing, staying on the move and ready to make any changes to be successful and believe in the future of our city. The city, the schools, the technology centers, the college, businesses, health care services, churches, and non-profit organizations help to provide a quality of place that will attract residents, new businesses, and tourists to the area. The Chamber’s doors are huge and always open, keeping events going monthly to help drive traffic to town and create revenue for the business and the city. The chamber’s success is steadily continuing keeping the wheels turning with a productive synergistic energy.
The Chamber Board consists of people from the community and key leaders in business that live and work in Poteau daily. The Chamber continues to build strong relationships with the State, Oklahoma Southeast, The Choctaw Nation, and The Fort Smith Regional Alliance. The Chamber will spend the New Year helping to grow the community, re-establishing, and engaging people to network, share ideas and support the organizations and causes of the area including the continued partnership with the chamber.
I am very blessed to continue this year as the leader of a city “where people care and business meets opportunity.”
We wear many hats with one mission.
We are your Chamber and continue to serve the entire Poteau and the LeFlore County Area.
I will be doing monthly Your Chamber Updates to keep the community involved, informed, and engaged.
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