Page 58 - 2025 Van Buren Chamber Community Profile

THE CHAMBER

Chamber Begins Renovations On

Future Business Resource Center

October 25 was a milestone day for
The Chamber, kicking off the process of
renovating the former Van Buren Library
building and transforming it into a Business
Resource Center that will begin serving the
community in Spring 2025.
“We are so excited about the future
Van Buren Chamber Business Resource
Center and how it will enable us to provide
our members with new initiatives and
services to help their businesses grow as
our community continues to grow as Van
Buren was the 8th fastest growing city in
the state, according to the 2023 census
data,” said Julie Murray, President and
CEO of The Chamber.
“This new facility will be a one-stop
resource center and entrepreneurial Artist rendering of the future OG&E Meeting Room.
support organization that will give us It will seat 50 with training tables and 100 chairs without tables.
the space to work more effectively with
our members to help them grow their a huge amount of additional growth The Business Resource Center is
opportunity coming our way. The Chamber located at 111 North 12th Street (behind
businesses,” Murray added.
A long list of area businesses (see facing needs to be ready to help our members Butterfield Trail Elementary School).Murray
take advantage of these opportunities expects renovations to be completed in
page) have already committed to help
fund the renovations of the building that to grow their business. This facility will April or May 2025. “We still have some
provide us the resources to do just that,” fundraising to finish to have it all paid for
previously served as the Van Buren Public
Library and later, a city services annex. Murray explained. when we move in, and I encourage anyone
Eddie Lee Herndon of OG&E, the who shares our vision for the project to
The new business center will consist of:
• Chamber offices anchor investor in the project and the participate to the extent they are able,”
two service clubs spoke at the Renovation Murray concluded.
• Van Buren Economic Development
Partnership Celebration event, and expressed great With the recent announcements
anticipation of the impact the new facility heralding opportunities for growth, it is a
• Leadership Crawford County
• Permanent meeting space, and will have on the community’s future. good time to partner with The Chamber.
storage for the Van Buren Lions Club
and Rotary Club of Van Buren
• Training/Meeting room that can At OG&E, we do more
accommodate 50-100 people, open
for businesses to utilize for their than energize a power grid.
employees and public events
• Board room We energize Van Buren.
• Conference room
• Co-working space for small business
owners and entrepreneurs
• Guest offices for SBA, ASBTDC and
AEDC to meet and work with our
businesses
© 2023 OGE Energy Corp.
“Our community is growing and has
58 Van Buren Chamber 2025 Community Profile vanburenchamber.org