Grant County declines Chamber’s management offer, directs county takeover of conference center

At the Sept. 10 meeting, the Grant County Commission moved not to accept the Chamber of Commerce’s offer to manage the county conference center and directed that the county investigate bringing the facility under direct county management.

Chairman Ponce made the motion to not accept the Chamber’s contract offer and to explore bringing property management into county hands, including assessing legal pathways to hire or transition Chamber employees to county employment for operational continuity. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Commissioners also thanked the Chamber for years of operating the center and asked staff to develop a transition plan for county operation, including examination of staffing, contracts and any necessary procurement steps.