On Tuesday, April 6th, Watry Group will retrieve the famed “Think Tank”.  This vehicle has been in use since it was delivered to the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce in Gulfport, MS on behalf of the Watry Group, the Detroit Regional Chamber and it’s partner members after Hurricane Katrina literally wiped out so much of the businesses and homes in the region. 

Once on their feet with a more permanent 40 foot double-wide mobile home, the Gulf Coast Chamber “paid forward” the vehicle to the Bay St. Louis Chamber of Commerce in Bay St. Louis, MS.  Here the vehicle was again put to continuous use by the Chamber and the Department of Economic Development from Washington DC, using the vehicle as intended as a work facility, sleeping quarters and communications center for the business community.

Hurricane Rita strikes the Galveston, TX coast and the Mobile Communication Unit is “paid foward” once more to the Galveston Chamber of Commerce to again prove its staying power and purpose.  After Rita, Hurricane Ike hits the Texas coast further north and is moved to the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce for use.

It is here that the vehicle is used not only for planning, support and communications, but becomes a food distribution coordination center, a warming center and a place to seek shelter from the heat when no where else was available.  After almost five years of continuous service to those who truly needed assistance, those who were trying to help others, those who had a driving desire to raise their communities back to being a community, the Mobile Communication Unit will get a well deserved cleaning, retro-fit and technology upgrade to be ready for the next five years!

To those who have been associated with the MCU, all our thoughts and prayers for a continued successful recovery!

WG

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