According to board member Nancy Koucky, the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce is running as it always has, despite rumors that it is closed. While the building where the chamber resided will likely be sold or leased, she said, the functions of the chamber have not changed.

“Though the physical structure is closed, the chamber is not out of business,” said Koucky.

The chamber building was at 3640 S.W. Pine Island Road, east of Matlacha, has been closed due to the coronavirus.

Phone calls and emails are still being answered, Koucky said, and she is currently manning the phones herself.

Members’ checks are being picked up by the president and sent on to the treasurer, and all chamber functions are still going on remotely.

“The chamber is still in business, and will continue to be in business,” said Koucky. “It’s really important for our members to know we’re still here.”

The chamber’s annual MangoMania Festival for 2020, like a number of other activities on the islands and elsewhere in the county, has been cancelled due to Lee County declining to issue permits because of the ongoing coronavirus.

Koucky said anyone with questions can contact the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Com-merce at 239-283-0888, via mail at PO Box 325, 3640 Pine Island Road, Matlacha FL 33993, or by email at info@PineIsland-Chamber.org

For any additional information, visit chamber’s website is pineislandchamber.org.