The Matthews Area Chamber began in 2008 out of a concern to maintain the Matthews Elementary School in Matthews, Indiana, as well as to support community development. In the spring of 2010 the school closed due to decreased state funding and declining enrollment.
The Chamber continues to strive to connect the businesses, churches, and organizations with members of the community in an effort to revitalize Matthews.
In November 2009, Chamber members traveled to the Statehouse to be designated a Main Street Community by Lt. Governor Becky Skillman.
Annual events include April Matthews Clean-up day, the August Picnic in the Park, the September Chamber booth at the Cumberland Covered Bridge Festival, the October scarecrow contest and the November Matthews Marketplace .
The Matthews Market place began in 2009 to showcase all businesses, organizations and churches. This was to better acquaint chamber members with each other as well as introduce products and services to the community.
In 2009, the baseball committee, using a Boren Foundation grant, began restoring the baseball park holding two tournaments in the fall.
Projects that the Chamber is working on include the Downtown Beautification Project in which the Chamber received a $4600 Community Foundation grant and Matthews’ businesses , organizations and community members raised $5600 to be applied to the OCRA Planning Grant with the remainder applied to the 10% matching Construction Grant if the Planning Grant is received.
Other possible ventures include a River Fest as a fund-raiser for Chamber projects. Applying for a DNR River Walk grant may be in the future, if the river walk project is approved. Monthly meetings have been held in the following towns to extend State Road 5, as an economic development tool, from north of Upland, through Upland, Matthews, Gaston, and Yorktown to State Road 67 which includes completing the Cardinal Greenway gap between Gas City and Gaston with a bike path alongside the highway.
Currently, the Chamber meets on the 3rd Monday of each month for a 12 noon luncheon at various locations. The meeting time is used to promote chamber member businesses and organizations and to hear important speakers from the area.
The Goals of Matthews Area Chamber - Continue to support Eastbrook Schools - Restore historic landmarks |