INVESTORS AND CUSTOMERS

Five years ago, the Board of Directors of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce embarked on yet another Strategic Planning process – something we had done many times before. We realize that the marketplace changes and we must change also to remain viable and relevant to the business community. Even then, there were signs that the economy was taking a nosedive and businesses and community leaders were rethinking their investments. They were no longer as likely to join a Chamber of Commerce in a spirit of goodwill. After a great deal of discussion with our members, representing a variety of industries and business sizes, we concluded we needed to re-invent the organization if we wanted sustainability. We created and opened the Suburban Solutions Center and started Benefit Solutions – the only Health Insurance brokerage owned and operated by a Chamber of Commerce in the region. But we also realized different businesses needed different services from us so we divided our membership into two categories – Customers and Investors.

Investors are larger businesses; utilities, banks, insurance carriers, manufacturers. While they might take advantage of some of our offerings like networking and health insurance, they weren’t dependent on them. But, they did want us to represent them on specific issues where we had influence. We can interface with town department heads and the Town Board on local issues, on their behalf. We carry their message at regional meetings. We host meetings for specific industries with everyone from the Governor to Congressman. And, most importantly, they want us to nurture and grow a prosperous marketplace and vibrant region. We can accomplish that by providing small businesses (our customers) from start-ups to second stage to veteran firms the resources they need in a cost effective manner. Our Investors are willing to subsidize the services we provide small business via their investment in the Amherst Chamber of Commerce. Your fiscal growth allows them to make more loans, sell more energy and products and services. As you grow, they grow. All of our Investors are recognized at the bottom of this e-newsletter. Please take the time to click on their logo and learn more about their companies. They care about you, they care about our regions future and they care about the Amherst Chamber of Commerce