Beech Tree News Network

The Morgantown-Butler County Chamber of Commerce held its first luncheon of 2012 at the Butler County Extension Service office on Thursday, January 26. The Chamber welcomed a few new faces to the board with Roger Southerland, Mike Coleman, and Ricky Romans all joining the board this year. New Chamber President Jamie Chaney welcomed all who attended the dinner; the meal was catered by the Wonderful Pig in Dunbar.

The guest speaker for the luncheon was Miller Slaughter, the Director of the WKU Small Business Development Center. Slaughter said that the Small Business Development Center is the "greatest kept secret and resource for small business in Kentucky."

Miller went on to talk about the services that are available to small businesses and entrepreneurs from the center. "We can offer you hands-on, one-on-one, across the table consulting that is confidential," said Miller. One example Miller used was working with entrepreneurs. He said, "We help a lot with entrepreneurs that want to get started that just don't know how to register." He added, "We're going to challenge you to think about why you are doing this and is this a good idea. Did you think about that? Did you think about this? Because, we really want you to think through on paper what your concept is before you go off and spend $50,000 and go deep in debt."

All of the services provided by the Small Business Development Center are free to small business owners and entrepreneurs. The program is funded by Kentucky and the Small Business Association and they receive a small amount of funding from WKU according to Miller. For more information on the Small Business Development Center, visit www.wkusmallbiz.com

Beech Tree President Diane Dyer introduced the newest members to Team Beech Tree in Landon Hampton, Katie Kirby, and Jeremy Hack. Hampton will serve as the Chief Meteorologist, Kirby as reporter, and Hack as videographer.

The "Know Your Community" questions were sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Keown correctly guessed that the first courthouse in Butler County had only 34 square feet of area. Dr. Vicky Lease of All Ease Chiropractic won the second prize when she identified Reed's Ferry as being owned by Butler County.

The January Luncheon was sponsored by All Ease Chiropractic, C & L Used Cars & Collision Center, Drake's Farm Service, James W. Runion/Kentucky Farm Bureau, McDonald's, Morgantown Prescription Center, Morgantown Utilities, SERVPRO, and Wan's Medical Clinic.