JOHN DAY — More than 100 people attended the Grant County Chamber of Commerce officer installation ceremony and volunteer appreciation dinner on Friday, Oct. 20, the first time the event has been held in public since before the pandemic.
Guests filled long rows of tables at the John Day Elks Lodge, dining on salmon and tri-tip, listening to several speakers and applauding as new officers were sworn in and longtime volunteers were recognized for their service.
“We did not have this dinner for several years, and now it’s back,” Chamber President Taci Philbrook told the audience. “And we’re very thankful.”
A new economic report and action plan, commissioned by the Grant County Economic Development Department, points to a shortage of adequate housing in the region as a significant barrier to economic growth.