McLean County Chamber Goes To Bat For Local Businesses
business, chamber of commerce, economic development,
When it comes to the issues that really matter, Bloomington-Normal has a powerful ally in its corner.
The McLean County Chamber of Commerce takes a hands-on approach to representing the needs of companies big and small in the Twin Cities and the surrounding communities, transitioning naturally between the roles of resource, advocate and spokesperson. “We work every day for the betterment of our community in the form of business development, member education, networking and opportunities,” says Charlie Moore, executive director of the Chamber.
The Chamber adapts readily to meet the needs of businesses as they, and the community, change and grow.
In January 2009, the Chamber launched a Political Action Committee to support local and state office candidates that back the Chamber’s initiatives and whose interests are aligned with the local business community. In its first few months of operation, the PAC raised enough money to support five candidates in the spring 2009 local election.
“A political action committee is definitely an effective tool for Chambers to make sure that the businesses of the community are represented on an elected-official level, whether it be local or state,” Moore says. “We try to consensus-build on issues that will affect our business community at large.”
The Chamber also works in business advocacy on a legislative level, raising awareness about issues that affect a large swath of its membership. Part of that role is to speak directly to lawmakers on behalf of local businesses, acting as a collective voice for the community.
Additionally, the Chamber supports networking opportunities and provides exclusive benefits, such as member-to-member discounts, group health insurance and a leadership class also open to nonmembers.
A retooled mainstay of singles communities is also bringing businesses together in McLean County, with winning results.
The Chamber also offers the unique SpeedNet program. “It’s kind of like speed-dating,” Moore says, “only it’s speed-networking. It gets all the personal passions out of the way and goes straight for the business, and helps people walk out the door with, say, 19 leads and/or referrals at the end.”
All of the Chamber’s programming and advocacy serves a valuable constituency of McLean County, Moore says, which ultimately benefits everyone.
“We at the Chamber certainly respect the investment they’ve made by putting their business here,” he says. “It’s our job to make sure that we take a look at that investment and find ways to help them improve upon their investment, and make it advantageous to not only keep their business here, but provide good services and meet needs for the residents of the county, as well.”
Story by Michaela Jackson
