LAPLACE — The River Region Chamber of Commerce just received a substantial donation of $50,000 from Norco Manufacturing for the Chamber’s capital campaign.

The campaign kicked off in 2015 to fund their new complex located at 390 Belle Terre Blvd. in LaPlace. The total amount the Chamber is trying to raise is $450,000. The building offers benefits to Chamber members and community members in the River Region.

A Chamber release said the building projects a positive image to residents and visitors by reflecting the Chamber’s mission to “Grow, Strengthen and Unify” businesses in St. James, St. Charles and St. John Parishes.

The new facility also provides a central location for elected officials and business representatives regularly visit the Chamber for presentations, advice and share ideas.

The building also creates an appealing and inviting Member Information Center that enhances awareness of the River Region as a destination and encourages visitors to patronize local businesses throughout the River Region.

According to public policy committee chairman Henry Friloux, the Chamber has received donations for the fund ranging from $50,000 to $1,000.

“We’ve gotten them from various individuals, companies and major corporations,” Friloux said. “What that is doing is helping with the building’s mortgage so that debt isn’t hanging over the Chamber.”

With their donation of $50,000, Norco Manufacturing is recognized as a “Diamond contributor.”

The building acts as a positive image for the Chamber and helps stabilize Belle Terre Boulevard, Friloux said.

A builder previously owned the complex, which Friloux said the Chamber bought late last year, and it had salon on one side. Minor renovations had to be done before the Chamber could use the building.

“On the salon side, we have a large conference room,” Friloux said. “There is also a couple of smaller rooms there. On the Chamber side, we have two small conferences rooms, the executive office and an office for the administrative assistant and more. There is also the foyer when you walk that has a big display called the Legacy Board, which displays the Chamber mission. It also lists the people who have contributed to the capital campaign. It’s really well done.”

River Region Chamber of Commerce executive director Chassity McComack said the Chamber is thankful to Norco Manufacturing for the generous contribution to the capital campaign and their support of their vision to build relationships to impact and improve the quality of life through strong leadership that advocates a pro-business environment in St. Charles, St. James, and St. John parishes.

“The capital campaign will fund the purchase and renovations of the Chamber’s new location, which will provide a more effective environment for the organization to continue to grow its advocacy for all businesses,” McComack said.