The Central Chamber Report: Ten Years – It’s Time!

    As the deadline for submitting this article came closer, I found myself staring at the clock wondering what would be a good article for this week.  Suddenly it dawned on me, I would write about T.I.M.E.!  After 10 years of being a city and after the Central Chamber turning 10, it’s time for your business, organization, or club to join the chamber!
    Many times I am asked, “Why should I join the chamber?” or “What benefit would I get out of the chamber?”  Compared to those 110 brave businesses who first joined the Chamber in 2005, the 340 plus current members have many more benefits to enjoy.  While there are many benefits, this week, I want to talk about the four T.I.M.E. benefits.  
    T – Together.  There is strength in numbers!  As the business community comes together we can form a collective voice and support each other!  Despite all the benefits added, one of the ones that constantly rank among the highest in our surveys is Advocacy.  The Chamber has been working hard to become the voice of business in our community and will continue to do so as we move forward towards the next ten years.
    I – Information.  Information is key!  Through our media capabilities we can instantly communicate with our members and we can also promote their information to a wide audience.  With the connections we have formed with other organizations we can also pass on valuable information to our members that is important to the future of their business.
    M – Membership.  The consistently highest ranking benefit mentioned by our membership is being able to belong to an organization that supports and encourages each other.  Networking, not the internet type but the face to face type, has always been an important benefit to our members.  We continue to provide many opportunities for our members to talk with one another, share ideas, pass on leads, and exchange business information.  This will always be one of the services provided by the Central Chamber.
    E – Education.  Through our members’ efforts, we support the educational efforts of our school system.  The creation of a well-educated future workforce is essential to the future economic prosperity of the commerce community.  Therefore, the Central Chamber and our many members support programs such as Student of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Support Staff of the Year, and Academic Letter Jackets as well as providing scholarships to local area seniors.  Educational opportunities are also provided to our members.  Through our guest speakers at our monthly Investors’ Luncheon, our previously mentioned media capabilities, and special seminars we are able to provide tools to our members to help them in their businesses. 
    Ten years have gone by quickly!  The business community is going to continue to grow and the Central Chamber will continue to look for ways to provide benefits to our members.  Our members are a tremendous group of hardworking individuals!  It’s T.I.M.E. for your business to come and experience the benefits of being a member of the Central Chamber.