With its renewed interest in developing downtown, the Ceres Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted unanimously on Wednesday to move its office to a small storefront presence on Fourth Street.

The Chamber has been operating out of a rented portable building grouped together on Ceres Unified School District property at Lawrence and Sixth streets.

The office is located within the building that houses Reyna's Pinatas Party Supply, a piñata shop at 2938-A Fourth Street.

"The move helps the Chamber to achieve one of its goals for 2013 - to be in a location that is more visible and accessible to the community, businesses and visitors to Ceres," said Renee Ledbetter, vice president of the Ceres Chamber.

The office is being subleased to the Chamber for $150 per month. The move helps the Chamber to achieve one of its goals for 2013 - to be in a location that is more visible and accessible to the community, businesses and visitors to Ceres. The annual lease commences Nov. 1.

"We are so grateful to Martin and Maria Saenz for allowing us to sub-lease that space for such an economical price," said Chamber President Dustin Pack. "I believe this location is ideal for us to help achieve other business goals particularly those aimed at revitalizing the downtown area."

The Chamber was asked by the Ceres Downtown Revitalization Area Board to partner with the city in meeting with downtown business owners to prioritize proposed programs and projects that can be implemented using funds available through CDRAB.

In other happenings, the Chamber is currently accepting nominations for its annual awards ceremony slated for Jan. 24. Nominations are sought in the areas of Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Business of the Year, the Legacy Award, and Distinguished Service Awards.

New this year, are categories of Young Citizen of the Year, and at the request of CDRAB, Downtown Business of the Year.

The Chamber is also planning for its annual Holiday Service Club Appreciation Mixer for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12 at the Ceres Community Center, 2701 Fourth Street. Light appetizers and a no-host bar are included. Clubs that participate in the event will be eligible for the receiving of the "Service Club of the Year Award" on Jan. 24. For more information on clubs participating in the mixer, call 537-2601.

For more information about these awards or to submit nominations, visit the Chamber's website at www.cereschamber.com.