Chambers of commerce play big role in tourism, economic development
Mona RidderCumberland Times-News
Let’s talk a bit about chambers of commerce and what they do for business.It’s important to note that chambers are made up of businesses and their owner/operators within a given area.So first of all, by their very nature, they are interested in what is good for business and promoting local business interests.One of the biggest roles of the chamber is as a local link in a network of resource information that may also include the local library, college or university, Internet and other business and professional organizations.Chambers work very closely with local economic development agencies, both public and private, such as The Greater Cumberland Committee. If they communicate well, there is no conflict or overlapping of responsibilities but a cohesive effort to achieve short and long term goals that will established a unified vision of the future for the region.The region is fortunate to have chambers of commerce in Hampshire, Mineral, Allegany and Garrett counties. Some chambers, such as Allegany County, publish a monthly newsletter that helps to keep members and others informed as to specific activities.The Allegany County Chamber of Commerce newsletter for each month includes a calendar of committee meetings and other events in which the organization is involved, as well as messages from the chairman and the president of the organization.The newsletter, in addition to being printed and mailed to its 400 members, is also available on the chamber Web site.Each of the other chambers in the region also maintain a Web site.The Garrett County Chamber Web site notes that the organization provides support for small businesses and the tourism industry. It lists area job openings, tourism information and educational material as well as other items.It notes that 850 businesses in the county employ 8,680 workers.Tourism is a focal point for the chamber because of Deep Creek Lake and the Adventure Sports Complex providing ever growing summer and winter leisure activities.In West Virginia, Grant County’s chamber Web site is also focused on tourism to a great extent with its outdoor recreation in hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, rafting and mountain arts and festivals in an intensely rural atmosphere.The Web site for Hampshire County’s chamber notes the group is working toward improving the local business climate by strengthening existing businesses through training and support and encouraging new businesses to choose the county in an effort to create jobs for residents as well as build a greater tax base for improvements to the county’s infrastructure. The latter issue has been a major focus of county officials over the last year because much of the continued development in the Romney area of the county hinges on improved water and sewer.The chamber has organized home shows to showcase member businesses and facilitated cooperative advertising in the state travel guide.Similarly the Mineral County chamber has defined its mission to stimulate and enhance the business environment and quality of life.The chamber does that by being an effective, prominent voice for the business community on issues affecting business vitality and an effective advocate for sound government policies and leadership.The West Virginia chambers work closely with local convention and visitor’s bureaus, in fact, in most instances, helping to establish the bureaus to promote tourism in the county.A steering committee in Hardy County is currently working to establish a chamber there with an eye toward also establishing a visitor’s bureau. Some of the financial support for the bureaus comes from the counties’ hotel/motel tax revenues, supplemented by the chambers and other contributions.In addition to tourism and business generally, issues relating to solid waste and water are more and more becoming regional concerns and the chambers of commerce will continue to play significant roles in communication and participation in developing resolutions.
Let’s talk a bit about chambers of commerce and what they do for business.It’s important to note that chambers are made up of businesses and their owner/operators within a given area.So first of all, by their very nature, they are interested in what is good for business and promoting local business interests.One of the biggest roles of the chamber is as a local link in a network of resource information that may also include the local library, college or university, Internet and other business and professional organizations.Chambers work very closely with local economic development agencies, both public and private, such as The Greater Cumberland Committee. If they communicate well, there is no conflict or overlapping of responsibilities but a cohesive effort to achieve short and long term goals that will established a unified vision of the future for the region.The region is fortunate to have chambers of commerce in Hampshire, Mineral, Allegany and Garrett counties. Some chambers, such as Allegany County, publish a monthly newsletter that helps to keep members and others informed as to specific activities.The Allegany County Chamber of Commerce newsletter for each month includes a calendar of committee meetings and other events in which the organization is involved, as well as messages from the chairman and the president of the organization.The newsletter, in addition to being printed and mailed to its 400 members, is also available on the chamber Web site.Each of the other chambers in the region also maintain a Web site.The Garrett County Chamber Web site notes that the organization provides support for small businesses and the tourism industry. It lists area job openings, tourism information and educational material as well as other items.It notes that 850 businesses in the county employ 8,680 workers.Tourism is a focal point for the chamber because of Deep Creek Lake and the Adventure Sports Complex providing ever growing summer and winter leisure activities.In West Virginia, Grant County’s chamber Web site is also focused on tourism to a great extent with its outdoor recreation in hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, rafting and mountain arts and festivals in an intensely rural atmosphere.The Web site for Hampshire County’s chamber notes the group is working toward improving the local business climate by strengthening existing businesses through training and support and encouraging new businesses to choose the county in an effort to create jobs for residents as well as build a greater tax base for improvements to the county’s infrastructure. The latter issue has been a major focus of county officials over the last year because much of the continued development in the Romney area of the county hinges on improved water and sewer.The chamber has organized home shows to showcase member businesses and facilitated cooperative advertising in the state travel guide.Similarly the Mineral County chamber has defined its mission to stimulate and enhance the business environment and quality of life.The chamber does that by being an effective, prominent voice for the business community on issues affecting business vitality and an effective advocate for sound government policies and leadership.The West Virginia chambers work closely with local convention and visitor’s bureaus, in fact, in most instances, helping to establish the bureaus to promote tourism in the county.A steering committee in Hardy County is currently working to establish a chamber there with an eye toward also establishing a visitor’s bureau. Some of the financial support for the bureaus comes from the counties’ hotel/motel tax revenues, supplemented by the chambers and other contributions.In addition to tourism and business generally, issues relating to solid waste and water are more and more becoming regional concerns and the chambers of commerce will continue to play significant roles in communication and participation in developing resolutions.
Contact Mona Ridder at monaridder@verizon.net.
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