SIERRA CITY — Last Wednesday, the Sierra County Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting in Sierra City at Big Springs Gardens. It was a perfect setting on a gorgeous September afternoon for the nearly fifty guests in attendance. After a brief tour of the spectacular grounds and additions to the property by owner Sharon Lane, which included a new dining hall, meeting center, and new dormitories, everyone was treated to a delicious meal of BBQ chicken and ribs. The annual event brought business owners and local residents together as another busy summer season comes to a close.

Linda Voracek, President of the Chamber, briefly shared some of the highlights from the past year as well as a forecast for the coming year. The Sierra County Chamber proudly reported a 9% increase in active membership for 2024, bringing it to a total of 77 dedicated members. 65% of the Chamber members are based in Downieville and Sierra City, with about 18% of its membership coming from the east side of Sierra County, demonstrating the diversity and unity across the entire region.

About 73% of the Chamber’s annual budget is dedicated to advertising, promotion, and tourism initiatives. This investment highlights the deep focus on elevating Sierra County’s profile to attract visitors, boost local businesses, and fuel economic development. Almost half of the budget goes towards producing the Sierra County Visitors Guide. In 2024, an impressive 10,000 copies of the guide were printed and distributed.

Most of the Chamber’s funding comes from the Sierra County Board of Supervisors, which provides $35K of its annual budget. Recognizing the need to bring more visitors and potential residents to the county, the Sierra County Board of Supervisors approved an additional $10K for FY 2024-2025.

The Sierra County Chamber will hold its next General Meeting in Forest City on Sunday, October 13th at 10:30 AM, just before Applefest, which runs from noon to 4 PM.