DATE: Thursday, August 7, 1997              TAG: 9708070502

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B4   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

SOURCE: BY JEFFREY S. HAMPTON, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY                    LENGTH:   32 lines

ELIZABETH CITY CHAMBER CUTS RIBBON ON OFFICES

The Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce officially reopened its 17-year-old building on Ehringhaus Street Tuesday after a complete renovation costing $75,000.

``This is probably the second-happiest day of my life at the chamber,'' said Rhonda Martin, director of the chamber. She was happiest when the Elizabeth City organization became accredited in 1996. Only 18 percent of the chambers of commerce nationally are accredited.

A group of about 40 chamber members and local dignitaries attended the ceremony and toured the 1,600-square-foot building.

Martin said the major changes were the enlarged reception area and a new meeting room where board members could meet.

Martin said the renovation was necessary to accommodate new emphasis in the chamber. She said her staff responds to 2,500 inquiries into the area annually. Its membership has expanded to 587 businesses and organizations.

The contractor, John Dunstan, achieved the unusual feat of being under budget and ahead of schedule, Martin said.

Tuesday's gathering was also an official kickoff for a capital campaign to pay for the cost of renovating. Martin said $10,000 has already been raised.

Present at the ribbon-cutting was Mayor Rick Gardner, whose construction company built the chamber building in 1980.

Martin and her staff worked rent-free from a vacant shop at Waterworks shopping area during the renovations. Waterworks is owned by local developer Bill Rich.

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