BELHAVEN — The Belhaven Community Chamber of Commerce has a new plot of land under its care.

The property, which is listed as 0.56 acres, is located on 166 E. Water St. in Belhaven, adjoining the former Vidant Pungo Hospital property, and has a tax value of $383,056, according to Dianne Bowen, a member of the Chamber board.

She said Belhaven resident Marian Keech gave it as a gift at no cost to the Chamber, as she wanted to give back to the town in some way. Keech has also paid the 2015 taxes on the property.

“It was quite a surprise,” Bowen said. “She has given it for the benefit of the Belhaven Community Chamber of Commerce.”

She said the transfer was made after consulting with three attorneys for approval.

The property was used for emergency parking for Vidant Pungo Hospital before the hospital was closed in 2014, she said, and the property has been left as it was since then.

Diana Lambeth, director of the Chamber of Commerce, said the Chamber is grateful for the extra capital that comes from owning the land and hopes it will benefit them financially. She said the board has not decided what to do with the land, but building on it is a possibility, as is reselling it to acquire the funds.

“This is a wonderful little place to be, but it is old,” Lambeth said, referencing the current Chamber building on Main Street in Belhaven.

“It’s like all old buildings. It needs renovation,” Bowen added.

The Chamber held a board meeting on Dec. 9 to officially approve the deed and will discuss its options regarding the real estate in weeks to come.

“We’re a small Chamber, but we have big plans and big ideas,” Lambeth said.

“We just feel very, very fortunate and feel blessed,” Bowen said. “It was a most generous gift.”