Rutland Herald
Staff Report | April 12,2016
MANCHESTER — The Manchester and the
Mountains Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors has voted unanimously
to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
The chamber of commerce made the announcement late Monday, saying it made the decision “after much deliberation and on the advice of legal counsel.”
The announcement said there was “no clear path or sustainable financial model” to continue the chamber in the immediate future.
“Without sufficient income under the current model, the chamber cannot staff a visitors center, manage events or provide the other services it has provided in the past,” the statement said.
The chamber, like many in the state, has been coping with a loss of revenue ever since it was no longer able to sell health insurance to its members under federal and state health insurance programs. The Manchester group had announced in late March it was closing, but then reversed itself and remained open.
The group also sought funding from area towns at town meeting, but Manchester voters by a 5-vote margin defeated a request for $25,000 in funding. In all, 16 towns had been asked to kick in $75,000 to keep the business organization going.
Among the events the chamber is involved in is the Manchester Antique and Classic Car Show, Summer Concerts on the Green and Make-A-Wish Maple Leaf Half Marathon.
The release stated that Don Dorr has come forward to host the Manchester Antique and Classic Car Show at The Dorr Farm as planned on June 11-12, and that the town of Manchester will assume the management of the Summer Concerts on the Green, which are held from July 12 to Aug. 14.
Staff support will be made available to the Make-A-Wish Maple Leaf Half Marathon set for Sept. 10, the release said.
While the visitors center closed at 5 p.m. Monday, the phone line and the chamber’s website, visitmanchestervt.com, remain live.
Berta Maginniss, the executive director, will continue to work through Friday, the statement said, while the balance of the board members have ended their volunteer service.
The chamber of commerce made the announcement late Monday, saying it made the decision “after much deliberation and on the advice of legal counsel.”
The announcement said there was “no clear path or sustainable financial model” to continue the chamber in the immediate future.
“Without sufficient income under the current model, the chamber cannot staff a visitors center, manage events or provide the other services it has provided in the past,” the statement said.
The chamber, like many in the state, has been coping with a loss of revenue ever since it was no longer able to sell health insurance to its members under federal and state health insurance programs. The Manchester group had announced in late March it was closing, but then reversed itself and remained open.
The group also sought funding from area towns at town meeting, but Manchester voters by a 5-vote margin defeated a request for $25,000 in funding. In all, 16 towns had been asked to kick in $75,000 to keep the business organization going.
Among the events the chamber is involved in is the Manchester Antique and Classic Car Show, Summer Concerts on the Green and Make-A-Wish Maple Leaf Half Marathon.
The release stated that Don Dorr has come forward to host the Manchester Antique and Classic Car Show at The Dorr Farm as planned on June 11-12, and that the town of Manchester will assume the management of the Summer Concerts on the Green, which are held from July 12 to Aug. 14.
Staff support will be made available to the Make-A-Wish Maple Leaf Half Marathon set for Sept. 10, the release said.
While the visitors center closed at 5 p.m. Monday, the phone line and the chamber’s website, visitmanchestervt.com, remain live.
Berta Maginniss, the executive director, will continue to work through Friday, the statement said, while the balance of the board members have ended their volunteer service.
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