Local leaders formed a chamber of commerce in Amargosa Valley, with an organizational meeting in February and their first regular board meeting was March 17.

The board of directors quickly approved plans for a solar power project in the community.

Jon DeLee, a Realtor who works for his family company, DeLee and Associates, was elected president.

J.W. Cunningham, owner of Advance Cash Tax Service, a tax consulting business, and Your Ad Solutions, an advertising business, was elected secretary.

Karen Clayton, manager of the First International Bank, was elected treasurer. Nevada District 36 Assembyman Ed Goedhart rounds out the chamber board of directors.

DeLee said annual dues will be $125 which will be the same for businesses and individuals. A $35 processing fee will be charged for initial membership.

"They had done a chamber a long time ago in Amargosa Valley and they had let it expire due to lack of interest," DeLee said. "We're trying to go to local businesses and local restaurants here in Amargosa Valley and spread the patronage around."

Local officials felt now was the time to rejuvenate a chamber of commerce with some projects on the front burner that may lead to substantial growth in the community.

"We are trying to foster the business community as much as we can which is trying to maintain a healthy climate for growth," DeLee said.

DeLee said the Amargosa Valley Chamber will lobby in opposition to actions by county and state government that could be bad for business.

The chamber board plans to meet the third Tuesday of every month over the lunch hour.

While the number of local restaurants in Amargosa Valley for monthly gatherings is limited, DeLee said they could include the T and T Cafe which reopened at Death Valley Junction, seven miles south of the state line.

Amargosa Valley Chamber members wasted no time getting down to business. The first regular board meeting at the State Line Saloon included a talk by officials from Solar Millenium about their plans for a solar power project in Amargosa Valley. DeLee said chamber officials persuaded Solar Millenium officials to make a presentation at the Amargosa Valley Town Board meeting March 26.

After the chamber presentation, DeLee issued a press release endorsing the company's plans to build two parabolic trough, solar electric generating plants. The company hopes to begin construction by 2010. The plant will generate enough power for 150,000 homes.

"It is an excellent chance for the town to generate economic development through green, susatinable jobs," DeLee said in a prepared statement. "These plants put Nevada at the cutting edge of fighting climate change and the polluting air emissions associated with the traditional electric generation sources Nevada has always relied on."

Solar Millennium and MAN Ferrostaal March 3 announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with NV Energy to build a solar power plant in Amargosa Valley.

"We're very excited," DeLee said. "This will be a huge impact on the economy of the valley and to date the economy is visibly shrinking. I have discussed it with neighboring farms and they are very willing to work with Solar Millenium to benefit the Southern Nevada economy."

Jon DeLee has been involved in putting a Webcast of Amargosa Valley Town Board meetings on the Internet.