CLEMSON — When the Clemson Area Chamber of Commerce moved into the Clemson Railroad Depot five years ago, following its purchase by the city from Norfolk Southern, it took out a $120,000 loan to perform an extensive upfit of the facility.

But the chamber has since repaid only $6,000 of that loan, and Clemson is now being asked to provide a helping hand. During a special work session held Monday night, City Administrator Rick Cotton encouraged council members to do just that — so long as the chamber does its part.

Cotton said the city could encourage the chamber by providing financial assistance, matching the chamber dollar-for-dollar in order to retire the debt.

“This would be an altruistic act by the city to help the chamber pay this off,” Cotton said. “You’re not going to see any new improvements until this debt is paid off.”

Cotton said the chamber would be required to conduct a separate fund-raising activity but feels the city’s assistance will enable the organization to pay off its debt more quickly.

“They’re not going to get another offer like this,” Cotton said.

Mayor Pro Tem Butch Trent expressed surprise at the news.

“They always paint a rosy picture,” Trent said of the chamber.

But council member Margaret Thompson expressed dismay. “I think they’re (chamber) slack. I’m not impressed with them at all.”

Cotton told council that assisting the chamber not only would benefit that organization, but the city as well.

“It’s going to be our building for the long haul,” Cotton said. “Once these items are paid off, these long-term improvements will be made.”

The city administrator said he plans to meet with chamber officials to determine “if they are interested in helping themselves.”

“It’s ‘You earn it, we’ll pay it off’,” he said.