LOWELL | Leaders in the town's commercial and civic communities want people to get reacquainted with everything the town has to offer, businesswise.

That's why the first Lowell Business Expo is planned for Feb. 28 at Lowell Middle School.

"We're very excited," said Carrie Austgen, Lowell Chamber of Commerce president.

The exposition is intended to showcase members of the local business community.

"We have a lot of new businesses that people don't even know are here," she said.

Austgen credits Tom Spencer, recently of the chamber's board, for wanting to pull town businesses and organizations together for a marketing effort.

Well-attended, exploratory meetings began in October and have been formalized since into a smaller group representing the Lowell chamber, town government, Lowell Main Street Association, the Lowell Downtown Merchants Association and Three Creeks Historical Association.

Businesswoman Lynn Scheeringa is a member of the chamber and Lowell Main Street and merchant associations. She and Austgen wanted an event that would showcase businesses and unite the disparate groups.

"I think we've got a really good group now," Austgen said.

Those working on the Lowell Business Expo are Scheeringa, Austgen, Sharon Speichert, Kathy Sickinger, Diane Boylan, Kay Harness, Dirk Van Vuren, Lori Clark, Mona Kuechenberg, Pete Yagelski, Rich and Dawn Meadows, and Sue Riley.

More details on the exposition are expected after the group meets Wednesday.