Newland in as Chamber president

Nicki Marazzani (left) steps down as executive director of Monmouth-Independence  Chamber of Commerce on Friday. Mackenzie Newland (right) is the new director. One of Newland’s goals is to gain a greater online presence for the chamber. Photo by Lance Masterson

Nicki Marazzani’s new job will keep her going in circles.

Next up for Marazzani, her new position as executive director of the Historic Carousel & Museum of Albany.

The door she’s closing is her three-year run as president of the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center. Her last day was Friday.

“I’m super excited … It’s going to be something totally different,” Marazzani said of the change. “It definitely is a culmination of everything I’ve done in my 35 years of nonprofit. Under one roof.”

Marazzani took over at MICC as pandemic era restrictions were easing. Public events were back, though masks were still mandated. It was tough going for business owners.

“When I started here, the chamber was definitely floundering. COVID rocked our world, and I had to help make the chamber relevant,” she said.

Relevancy came via increasing MICC membership numbers to a record high, installing a new sign and reader board outside the Visitor’s Center, and helping to grow such events as the summer and winter editions of Make Music Day.

In the planning stages are such new projects as a turkey trot, providing more financial assistance to Central High School’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America, and offering emergency preparedness training to business owners. That way, owners will be better prepared for the next catastrophe, be it flood, fire, pandemic or something else unexpected, she said.

But the project that will keep Marazzari connected to the two communities is the painting of 20 MiNet utility boxes in Monmouth and Independence.

Volunteers have painted a number of boxes. But some artists are still in school and won’t be available until after summer vacation ends. It will be mid-autumn before all boxes are painted.

Marazzani will see the project through completion.

“There’s always unfinished work. So I will stay on as a volunteer with the nonprofit that I started, Friends of Monmouth-Independence Visitor’s Center. That’s kind of my baby. I want to make sure it’s done,” she said. “Those utility boxes that are painted look amazing. So many talented people.” 

Mackenzie Newland is the chamber’s new president. She graduated from Central High School and Western Oregon University, where she earned her master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Newland is experienced, having worked almost seven years with nonprofits. She was the community engagement counselor for Polk County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) prior to accepting her new position.

Neither is Newland is not a stranger to the MICC. She volunteered for the organization and served as its vice chair of fundraising. 

Newland and Marazzani worked together this past week. Come today, though, Newland is on her own. She’s ready for the challenge.

“I’m going to come in, open up the door and get to work,” Newland said. "Because I have extensive experience in community engagement events and working with our community, I feel like, with Nicki’s help, I can come in and really start connecting with people. That’s going to be the first step, making sure there’s a good trust and a good foundation with the new face coming in. And being there for people.”

This pledge extends to the online community.

“One of my ideas is to connect with students, either from high school or local colleges, and with community members, who want to make fun videos of businesses in our community," and then post them online, Newland said. "COVID really did draw people to their homes and to social media. So being able to get into their homes a little bit more and connect that way, because we have so many businesses that are amazing.”

It’s part of Newland’s big picture strategy to take MICC into the 21st century.

“I bring a fresh look to things. I have lots of energy. I have fun new ideas,” Newland said. “Social media is something that I’m passionate about. It’s taking the world by storm. So you've got to get on board.”

MICC is a nonprofit. Funding comes from sources such as membership dues, awards night and other special events, donations and grants, renting half its building and the City of Monmouth. No funds come from the City of Independence, though its businesses benefit from chamber efforts.

“I never do anything without considering both towns,” Manazzari said. “That’s why MiNet boxes are perfect, because they’re in both towns. That’s why Make Music Day is perfect, because it’s in both towns. And if it would have been just one town, I wouldn’t have done it.”

Like her predecessor, Newland begins her directorship with local businesses in survival mode. Government aid and special programs, essential during the pandemic, are no longer available to ease the pain.

One casualty now that business are scrambling to make rent is that chamber membership numbers are down.

“It’s not because people don’t want to be a part of the chamber. It’s just the economy is definitely taking a toll. We are seeing it be harder and harder for businesses to do much more than pay their rent,” Marazzani said. "We want to make sure we are supporting them through the hard times as well. We want to make sure here at the chamber that we are promoting all businesses as well as our members. Because the success of one business really relies on the ones around them. Vacant buildings do not help anyone."