The Chamber Board recently adopted the 2015 Business Plan after soliciting input from members and other community stakeholders. The goals and some key action steps are shown below:
Goal 1: Develop a skilled workforce by working collaboratively with education and industry partners Strategies include:
- Develop skilled employers who can successfully manage the multigenerational work environment of today by providing educational opportunities
- Work in closer collaboration with employers and education to showcase all career paths available to today’s students including those that do not require a bachelor’s degree.
- Strengthen the school to work link by offering more opportunities for job shadowing, mentorships and apprenticeships such as Hire Me First
- In partnership with other economic development entities continue to offer the Young Entrepreneurs Academy
Goal 2: Be the Voice of Business with Government Strategies Include:
- Revive and expand the Listening to Business program in collaboration with other economic development partners in order to be a stronger better voice for business
- Identify regulatory hurdles for business growth and seek solutions and resolutions on behalf of businesses
- Continue advocacy at the state and federal level on behalf of local business
- Through the Mesa County Leadership Program assist business leaders in understanding the community and the complex issues it faces
Goal 3: Assist the Private Sector in Creating Jobs Strategies Include:
- Foster speed, reliability, accessibility and affordability of broadband service needed by all businesses to be successful in our community by working with all potential partners.
- Participate in and support the development and implementation of the Economic Development Marketing Plan
- Assist existing businesses and other economic development partners in identifying business opportunities and job creation opportunities through joint participation in the Global Petroleum Show in June of 2015
- Continue to support Western Colorado Manufacturers through participation in regional meetings and projects
Goal 4: Provide Members with easily recognizable benefits from their investment in the Chamber
- Partner to provide learning opportunities that lead to improvement in business management practices, including greater use of Chamber University
- Utilize Save Local Now, Mesa County Library’s Business Connect and other venues to show members the benefits of various marketing strategies to promote their businesses
- Offer networking sessions
- Research and evaluate potential business models for the Chamber with an emphasis on future funding and nature of membership