Note from Chamber Board Chairman, Mike Fox. The Chamber will be in business for you.
I would have never imagined once I agreed to be the Chamber Board Chairman two years ago that we would have had a year like this past one. What a roller coaster, we went from a robust, strong economy full of optimism to a stay at home order and uncertainty in the blink of an eye.
The Chamber fiscal year runs from October 1-September 30 each year. Obviously, the year started “normal” for the Chamber and businesses around Marshall but these last 6 months have taken a toll on many businesses in the area. I am so thankful how the community has supported local businesses throughout this ordeal.
I’ve been involved with the Chamber of Commerce in Marshall for many years but having finished my 5th year on the Chamber Board, I see more value in Chamber membership than ever and trust me, many other business owners have told me the same thing.
Like many businesses, the Chamber had to completely flip their business model from having 4-5 live and in-person monthly events, selling coupon books (amongst other things) to being the main portal of COVID-19 communications for businesses and non-profits. This would include information on loans, grants, unemployment, “essential” businesses, legal, return to work, legislative and much, much more. I found this to be extremely helpful during the past year. I would watch the “leaders” press conferences and wait for the Chamber to email out the bullet points of what they were really attempting to tell us.
In October of every year, about 70% of renewals for Chamber membership are up. I encourage all businesses/non-profits to renew their membership and for those that are not members, give Brad or someone on the Chamber team a call and find out how your business can belong to the Chamber and furthermore, get involved in the Marshall business community.
No one knows what is next in this messy year and I like everyone else, hope for a much better 2021. One thing that is for sure, one way or another, the Chamber will be in business for you, the business owner/non-profit leader.
Mike Fox, Ace Home & Hardware
Board Chairman, Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce.