The Louisiana Chamber of Commerce and the Louisiana Visitors and Convention Bureau have just announced a joint effort with Niemann Foods Inc./County Market, who also own area Pick-a-Dilly stores, to lease out their former store at the bridge to both organizations free of charge.

This move to 221 Mansion will allow the Visitors and Convention Bureau an opportunity to catch tourist traffic along Highways 54 and 79 and give the Chamber more space for day-to-day operations. Chris Koetters, Director of both the Chamber and LVCB, is excited for the new location and feels that this will increase tourism and commerce in the city. “A few months ago I attended a home show in Quincy and was able to talk to various people from the tri-state area. In talking with them it became apparent that many would travel down (highway) 79 but would only drive through town not realizing what we all had to offer. With this move we are given the opportunity to show we are more than just a town along the way.”

Gerry Kettler, Director of Consumer Affairs for Niemann Foods Inc. is excited to join forces with both organizations. “County Market is excited to be part of the Louisiana community, we look forward to getting to know all our new customers and working with the Chamber of Commerce and Visitors and Convention Bureau. Both organizations are vital to the continued economic growth of Louisiana and the surrounding communities and we are happy to be able to help them move into their new home.”

The Chamber of Commerce and the Louisiana Visitors and Convention Bureau were relocated in 2012 from the Louisiana City Hall to the Louisiana Area Historical Museum. Since that time all three organizations have been working out of the museum that is located at 304 Georgia Street.

“We cannot express enough our thanks to the Louisiana Area Historical Museum for their support in facilitating our needs over the past year and a half. Even though we are moving to a new location we will work hard to bring tourist to the museum along with other businesses and locations throughout. We strongly believe that this move will result in more tourist visits throughout town” said Chamber president Jeff Guay. “We are also very grateful for the support and partnership with County Market as they draw closer to the completion of their new store.”

The Chamber and LVCB hope to have the new location up and running by this year’s 4th of July events