Devine Chamber forms growth and development committee

The Devine Chamber of Commerce agreed to form a committee to look at growth and development of our community. Steve Smith presented the idea to the chamber board and members and agreed to head the committee.
The board approved going forward with forming a committee which will be named at a later date. A planning meeting has been planned for Sunday, August 1 at 1:30 pm at the VFW in Devine, next to the post office. Anyone who would like to serve on the committee or contribute to the ideas or just learn more is invited to come to the meeting. “We hope to have a diverse section of business people and citizens on the board.
One idea Smith talked about was the Main Street Texas Historical Commission program which offers advice. He mentioned there are other programs and also grants out there, but that the first step was to create a plan with members of the business community and Chamber, as they have a pulse on the city and serve customers daily. Once a plan was created the chamber could approach the City to join in on the efforts. The Main Street plan requires a full time employee (FTE) as the administrator and grant writer that the City would have to hire and pay.
Smith proposed the initial strategic planning committee with the hopes of helping the community grow at a rate that still keeps the same small town feel that he and his wife love since moving here.
The first meeting to see what interest there is in our community will be on August 1st.
Shop Local Saturday
The first Saturday of the month is the monthly Famer’s Market in Devine at the VFW. The Chamber also encourages local businesses to offer specials on the first Saturday of the month and for customers to support Devine’s small town businesses on Shop Local Saturday.

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Adulting 101
The Adulting 101 program has been postponed until the fall for various reasons. The planners hope to help kids ages 16 to 24 understand what is available to them and how to obtain it. It may be hosted in September. A high school teacher has expressed interest in helping spread the word about the program so more kids take advantage of the opportunities presented during the program.
Cactus Fall Festival
The Cactus Fall Festival is planned for November 6, 2021. It will be on the grounds of the American Momentum Bank, the library, and the community center as usual, as well as on the street between and behind them. They will have music, food, and exhibits in the community center. An art exhibit featuring Devine students will cover the walls of the inside of the community center as well as some of the history of Devine and the Cactus Zoo. The art will be an exhibit, not a contest.
It is unknown at this time if a carnival be coming due to lack of employees. A corn hole tournament has been planned. The chamber is looking at getting various types of games to entertain the young ones in place of the carnival possibly.
Welcome bags
The chamber is collecting goodies for the Welcome to Devine bags given out to those who are new to the city when they visit the various places for utility hook ups etc. Cindy Morales wants to bring back that feature that so many enjoyed years ago, which helps the new citizens and the businesses.
Treasurer’s Report
There is a balance of $32,583 in the Chamber’s bank account as of the May 2021 bank statement as reported by Bonnie Manning, Treasurer.