The South Valley Merchants Alliance could receive significant financial support from the Hailey Chamber of Commerce if a proposed partnership between the two entities is realized.
Sarah Hedrick, merchants alliance member and co-owner of Iconoclast Books in Ketchum, stated in a group e-mail sent Thursday, Nov. 15, that Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jim Spinelli had offered an arrangement in which the alliance would fall under the chamber yet retain its autonomy.
The alliance would receive a number of benefits, perhaps the most important of which would be a share of the local option tax funds the chamber receives from the city of Hailey. Hedrick stated that the chamber would help advertise alliance events, which would, in turn, be covered by the city's insurance.
"I think this could be a very strong partnership," Hedrick said in an interview. "In my opinion, it would only serve to make both groups stronger and provide the alliance with seed money for new events."
She said the partnership would allow the alliance to boost the economy in Hailey through events such as its annual Hailey Halloween Hoopla and the upcoming Hometown Holidays celebration, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 1.
Hedrick said the alliance will hold at least one more meeting on the subject to make sure all of its members have the opportunity to comment.
According to Hedrick, Spinelli has a put a proposal before Hailey for an additional $61,000 of LOT funds to enhance the chamber's ability to hold events and promote Hailey. For the 2006-2007 fiscal year, the chamber received $10,000 in LOT revenue.
The City Council will hear Spinelli's proposal at its regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 26.
"No decision has been made yet," Hedrick said of the potential partnership. "But I don't predict any problems."
