HUGHESVILLE – Ensuring a successful business climate that will remain for generations to come and organizing events for the community are two endeavors that will prevail for 2011 related Secretary of office and business member, Suzanne Holmes. The message was given during a business mixer to several members held recently at the Spartan Pub in Hughesvillle.

Established in 1996, the organization strives to develop, encourage, promote and protect the commercial, industrial, financial and general business interests in the Borough of Hughesville and the immediate surrounding areas explained Doug Spotts who is one of a few charter members still remaining. Mike Sullivan from Sullivan’s Gulf Oil said he would also like to see more businesses join the association.

29 years ago Spotts helped to organize and start the GHBA. Other long time members are Buck Lumber and Freezer’s Auto Parts.

Holmes said the ‘5 to Drive Holiday Giveaway’ was a success last year and announced that 2011’s date will begin on Black Friday. “All participants will now have ten days to shop this year,” Holmes said. “Last year we generated over a thousand sales in a 4 day period, so imagine what we can do in ten,” she added.

Becky Fought from Main Street also introduced plans for a new Memorial Park and is seeking funds to help with brick pavers which will be placed on the corner of Main and Water Streets. “We need $9,000 worth of bricks sold for the Hughesville Memorial Park project,” Fought said.

A special thanks of acknowledgment was given to Robin Fry for developing the organization’s logo and graphics and the ‘5 to Drive’ giveaway logo.

Looking ahead, a golf tournament is scheduled for May 11 at Mill Race Golf Course with registration at noon. Also the Rotary will be adding new wreaths and sponsoring prizes for the Halloween parade in October. For Christmas the American Legion and Hughesville Rotary clubs will again be making cookies and dressing in period costume for the annual tree lighting ceremony.

The organization is looking for new members and new ideas. There are currently 40 members and a complete list can be found on their website at www.hughesvillebusiness.org.

“We do not just want to limit our membership to just Hughesville,” said Spotts. “We want to include the surrounding townships and municipalities. We want them to be able to participate too,” he added. Some businesses have closed along the way but new ones have opened.

There are three executive officers and 2 alternates according to the by-laws. “We are coming up with ideas to create interest levels in the other business owners,” explained Holmes. “We have been doing things all along, but more involvement is needed now,” she said. For more information or to become a member, contact Holmes at 584-5929.