There is a somewhat dated industry rallying cry that goes something like this…” This Chamber doesn’t just cut through ribbons…it cuts through the red tape!”
Have you ever walked away from the local planning office shaking your head and convinced your dreams of growing are dead? Have you ever wondered who to call in order to find out if you are in compliance with sales tax collections? Have you ever walked away from a foreign customer because you just didn’t know how to do business with someone not in the United States?
If you’ve had any of these experiences or just been totally bewildered and frustrated with some government action, inaction or regulation have you considered calling the Chamber? There is a lot of information in this issue of the newsletter touting how we are a voice for business but we can also be a voice for your business, individually.
The Chamber has on multiple occasions advocated for one specific business facing one specific problem or issue. It’s not just the big issues facing all businesses that garner our attention and resources. We can and want to do the same for you.
We are a phone call or email away and we have your back! That’s a member benefit that cannot be measured in just dollars and sense but also in the peace of mind knowing you are not
alone. Let us be your advocate!
ADVOCACY – WHO DOES IT SERVE
Advocating for an individual business (ex: working with the local planning department to modify billboard sign requirements for Colorado West Outdoor Advertising)
Advocating for a specific industry (ex: testifying against a 2020 proposed bill in the Colorado legislature (HB-1025) that would have made it harder for manufacturers like Munro Companies and CoorsTek to claim a sales tax exemption on energy used in production)
Advocating for a specific industry (ex: testifying against a 2020 proposed bill in the Colorado legislature (HB-1025) that would have made it harder for manufacturers like Munro Companies and CoorsTek to claim a sales tax exemption on energy used in production)
Advocating for the entire business community (ex: showing how policy changes (i.e. increased and new development fees) would impact multiple business sectors and drive up the cost of workforce housing)
ADVOCACY – HOW CAN IT BE DONE?
Lobbying: Working to change legislation or regulation (ex: changing the time frame of implementing the collection of sales taxes by destination of where goods are shipped)
Litigation: Advocating for your cause from within the court system. (ex: suing the Grand Valley Drainage District over the implementation of a fee that was found to be a tax)
Educating: Educating boils down to raising awareness to spur supporter action and effect change. (i.e. offering workshops on new and proposed changes to employment laws in Colorado)
Organizing: Organizing is pivotal to advocacy. It is unifying the Chamber business members as one coherent voice to effectively enact change. (ex: encouraging and giving our members
the tools to provide individual comments on the changes incorporated in the new Colorado
Overtime and Minimum Pay Order)
Click here to download the full version of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce March 2020 Newsletter.