What a difference a few short weeks can make! In my January column, I assured you that we would get back to in person networking as soon as it was safe to do so. That time has come! Today, as I write this, we’ve seen over 26,000 vaccinations administered and daily case counts falling to…
In 2017 the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce recognized a gigantic need in our community for a shipping and logistics facility. It was a need heard far and wide in the community over a number of years. A strategic partnership with the Grand Junction Chamber was quickly forged and Rocky Mountain Rail & Storage…
Not so long-ago chambers of commerce were viewed by some as socializing bodies where business people come together to network. Although still a valuable networking venue, our Chamber has always strived to be much more for our members. This past year has shown stark examples where we advocated for businesses (particularly through the Five Star…
Advocating for the local business community is a strength and core competency for the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce. It is also a member expectation with 34% of respondents to the latest general membership survey indicating that they belonged to our organization because they wanted a strong partner to advocate for businesses. It also ranked…
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) turns students, as young as 11, into the CEOs of their very own businesses, developing the skills necessary to be successful members of the future workforce. Throughout the program students are encouraged to think critically and come up with creative solutions to problems, skills that are essential for entrepreneurs and…
During one of our employment law webinars last month a participant used the Zoom chat box to bemoan the fact that the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act is going to negatively impact all businesses and nonprofits in the state with employees. And he was right…it will. The Chamber lobbied heavily to stop or amend…
When the Chamber Board of Directors conducted their annual planning session virtually in early November, a key theme emerged…the focus has to be on our members and how to help them transition from pandemic to prosperity. The plan that was adopted in December by the Board reflects that philosophy. It also incorporates some lessons learned…
As I assume the role as your Chairman of the Board for 2021, I am reminded of a quote by Albert Einstein that may sum up where we are at the beginning of the year, “Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance, you must keep moving.” As an organization, the Grand Junction…