CLEVELAND, Tenn. (Feb. 9, 2009)—The Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce will host an educational program for Chamber members about a proposed increase in a local sales tax on Friday, Feb. 13. The hour-long program will take place in the Chamber’s Conference Center beginning at noon.

“Voters need to be educated before deciding whether to raise local sales tax by ½ percent on March 10,” Nancy Neal, vice president of communications, said, encouraging Chamber members to turn their lunch hour into a “learn hour.”

Janice Casteel, Cleveland’s city manager, will provide detailed information about the special sales tax referendum, explaining the tax and how it will affect residents.

The sales tax option, if passed, would fund capital projects for city and school ventures such as the proposed renovation of Cleveland High School’s science wing.

“These are tough economic times,” Neal said, “so it’s critical that voters make informed decisions. The Chamber wants to make that information available to our membership.”

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