The Hastings Chamber of Commerce wants to show the rest of the state how important the city's regional center is.

Chamber members are hoping to do commercials to show the state at its senators that they have no choice but to vote against closing the regional center.

To produce commercials, they say they'll need to raise $10,000 to $15,000. The chamber has already sent out letters to business partners, asking for $25 donations.

So far, the organization has raised $4,000.

Nebraska's three regional centers have been the focus of study under Gov. Mike Johanns' plan to provide fewer institutional settings and more community-based programs for the mentally ill.

Johanns proposed keeping the Lincoln center open and closing the regional centers in Hastings and Norfolk.