ALBURY Chamber of Commerce has elected one of its youngest presidents, Scott Mann, 29.
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The real estate agent takes over the chair from lawyer David Koschitzke, who remains on the chamber board and chairs the joint meetings of the Albury and Northside chambers, which have a single administration for their combined membership of almost 400.
Mr Mann said yesterday there were no major contentious issues before the chamber.
The long-time problem of car parking in the central business district had now been eased by the 500-space Volt Lane car park.
While the chamber would like the vacant shops in the CBD filled, Mr Mann — an agent at LJ Colquhoun Dixon Commercial Real Estate — said there were signs that tenancies were being taken up.
“We’ve already had interest from a business looking at Sam’s Warehouse (which closed this week),” he said.
He said the opening of the Pacific Brands’ Bonds outlet in Dean Street and the impending opening of a Swish Fashion store opposite were encouraging.
Mr Mann said the chamber advised its members — most run small businesses — and its work was enhanced by briefings from mayor Alice Glachan, city officers and police.
“These meetings allow us to give them some feedback,” he said.
The Albury and Northside chambers planned more joint meetings and workshops this year and would continue to work with the Wodonga chamber and promote the Young Business Edge initiative.
“We support the three chambers working together for the good of Albury-Wodonga,” he said.
Mr Mann spent his youth at Frankston and Philip Island, beginning his career in real estate on the island.
“I came to the Border to work for Dixons First National in 2004,” he said.
He is a licensed agent for NSW and Victoria, holds a diploma for property and hopes to become an auctioneer.
Other Albury chamber board members are Mr Koschitzke, Andrew Graham and Barbara Hull.