By Bonnie Culverhouse
As food trucks gain in popularity, the Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce wants to join the City of Minden in making the vendors feel welcome every day, as well as during special events.
“We are a membership-based organization,” Chamber Executive Director Stephanie Barnette told members of the city council during a recent workshop. “We want to make it easy for these vendors to do business and know about events, festivals and fairs going on here.”
One way is to form a food truck network, Barnette proposed.
“They would become a member of the chamber of commerce, and their membership would include helping them complete their paperwork, apply for licenses and learn about upcoming events,” she said.
To do this, the chamber and the city would form a partnership where the two entities would charge the food trucks one fee.
While nothing is set in stone, if the city and chamber agree, food trucks may pay $200 annually. That would include their chamber membership fee, occupational license and other permits. One-stop shopping, in a sense.
“The chamber will help them fill out everything,” Barnette said. “We believe everyone would benefit in the end because more trucks would come.”
District D councilman Michael Roy believes it’s a good idea and is willing to take it a step further.
“I think it would be good to utilize some property the city has now as a food truck/entertainment area down by Smokin’ J’s,” he said referring to property on the corner of Sheppard Street and Sibley Road. “We could stripe off for food trucks and maybe have a bandstand to bring in music for events.”
In July 2021, the city council approved a food truck ordinance, and currently vendors are charged $100 for a year-long occupational license. They must also have a health permit.
Chamber board president Jennifer Spurlock asked if the city would be willing to lower that charge.
“We all have limited resources,” said Mayor Nick Cox. “But if we can pool our resources and make it work for the good of the people, then that’s good for everyone.”
Cox is currently seeking information to determine the city’s financial side of the proposal.