Members of the Palmerton Area Chamber of Commerce heard about the organization's assets and liabilities this month.

Peter Kern, director of the chamber, told those in attendance that the income varies from year to year, but the expenses are about what they usually are.The restricted and unrestricted net assets at the beginning of 2015 totaled $655,893. At the end of the year, it was $618,969 - a change of $36,924.Kern explained that due to ups and downs of the stock market, the investment of the restricted assets saw a "paper loss." Although it is a financial loss, the eventual gains on the stock market will make it a temporary loss. He isn't concerned about it."We're solvent," he said.The chamber saw an investment income of $32,506, plus a gain of $373 in sale of mutual funds and $4 in interest. The loss on investments was $58,511, plus a loss of $6,307 in investment fess, and $5,000 that is released to unrestricted assets for operational costs. Calculated out, the results of only the restricted assets show a loss of $36,935.The chamber brought in an income of $12,715, which included the $5,000 contributed every year from the restricted assets. Its expenses equaled $12,704, leaving $11 unspent. Its total net unrestricted assets are $10,307."The expenses are about what they usually are," he said.The chamber is not a for-profit entity, so having the income and expenses almost equal is to be expected. Kern anticipates in the 2017 budget to have an income of $8,600 and expenses equaling $8,525.Kern lists the gift certificates provided by the chamber as a liability, only because this is money that will be drawn on as people redeem the certificates at local businesses. There is $13,277 currently tied up in the gift certificates. They were initially used as an award by the Horsehead Corporation."We don't charge a fee for the certificates," he said. "It costs us money to have them." The chamber has to purchase the supplies to create and print the certificates.Alice Wanamaker, member relations director for Carbon Chamber and Economic Development, asked Kern if the Palmerton chamber has considered using reloadable plastic gift cards. He said it hasn't been discussed, but he would be interested in the idea.Wanamaker said the Allentown Merchants Program is a gift card program that could provide a model and she would be interested in talking with him about it. The program was introduced by the Hamilton District Main Street Program and encourages patronage to businesses in downtown Allentown."I love bringing people into the county, into Palmerton," she said.