Summertime is usually perceived as a time of vacation and easy living but the Chamber Board and Staff recognize that members expect a return on their investment throughout the entire year. Significant progress was made from July to September on the organization’s business plan to represent business and promote economic growth including:
- Weighing in on federal issues that will hit the pocketbooks of local businesses including advocating for the lifting of a forty-year-old ban on the export of crude oil, opposing the proposed new overtime rules for employees making less than $50,000 regardless of job duties, urging that Colorado oppose the new ambient ozone levels set for the state by the EPA which ignores previous gains the state has achieved, and applauding the Governor’s stated support of the proposed Jordon Cove liquefied natural gas export terminal on the West Coast.
- Standing up for businesses in meetings with the Grand Valley Drainage District over annual and impact fees being imposed on businesses in the Valley. Testimony acknowledged the problem, but pointed the potential harm to businesses and the need for caution and thoughtful deliberation. A resolution was passed without any of the Chamber recommendations on September 9th and other actions are being explored.
- Recruiting 15 middle and high school students for the third year of Young Entrepreneurs Academy, which transforms students into CEOs of their own companies. In addition, sponsorships and instructors/volunteers were solicited from the business community.
- Crafting, with other Economic Development Partners, a work plan for a more robust and coordinated effort to attract new business, retain and expand existing businesses, and nurture start up businesses.
- Investing in the development of the local business leadership infrastructure by implementing the 2015-2016 Leadership Class with 19 students from across the valley participating in the ten-month program which began in September.
- Convened numerous networking venues and opportunities for members including Business After Hours (3 events), Networking@Noon (2 events), weekly leads groups (3 groups), Put GJ on the Map Google seminar (1 event), and the annual golf tournament.
Members will be encouraged to complete the annual membership survey by early October to enable the Board to determine the effectiveness of these efforts in meeting their needs and set the stage for the 2016 business plan.
Click here to download full version of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce October 2015 Newsletter.