By Charles Romans
Carter County Times
Grayson Chamber of Commerce President Jill York believes that local businesses are the life’s blood of the communities they serve. York served as president some twenty years ago when she owned and operated a print shop in downtown Grayson, Kentucky, and said that the chamber is as important now as it was then – perhaps even more so.
“What I am proud of our Chamber Directors making happen is partnering with more organizations,” York said. “The Chamber can help make good things happen in the community through these partnerships. Specifically, Carter County Tourism and Grayson Tourism,” she continued. “These groups and others have worked really hard to bring businesses into our area and support them once they are here.”
York said that historically there were two types of chambers in small towns such as Grayson. The first type is one that works very hard to promote the area businesses through events, fundraisers, etc. Typically, this type of chamber of commerce shoulders much of the burden themselves, by default going into business itself to provide those things.
“This type of chamber is in the fair business, in the festival business, and really try to make things happen in the community.”
The other type of chamber, York said, fills a more support and service-oriented role.
“I’m really proud to say that our chamber is transitioning to the second model,” York said. “We are becoming more service-oriented and dedicating our resources to our member’s support. And we have moved into more of those leadership positions so that now we can partner with groups like the tourism commissions. We no longer have to ‘turn all the cranks’ to make something wonderful happen in the community.”
“Our community has a lot of great organizations,” York said. “And we can lend our expertise and manpower to those organizations to make things happen and bring about what we feel our citizens expect.”
The goal of the chamber, York said, is to bring together small businesses like a family.
“It’s important to think of our small businesses in the way we would think of family because no small business goes it alone,” York said.
Every small business requires collaboration, she said.
“If you want to start a business, you will need a lot of people to make that happen. You are going to need to go to your bank, your small business center to build a business plan, and you’ll need an attorney to help you set up your paperwork and licenses. And that might just be the start of what you’ll need.”
“The wonderful thing about the Chamber of Commerce is that we have already located all those people and more,” York explained. “And our chamber members support one another, so members are able to refer you to other members who can provided for your other needs.”
York said that the chamber of commerce champions all entrepreneurs and businesses in Carter County whether or not they are chamber members.
“But quite frankly being a member does have its benefits. We are your ‘local tribe’ and we understand your struggles if you are in business. And we are here to help however we can.”
The chamber model of businesses communicating with one another has a direct benefit to the resident consumer as well, York said. Chamber businesses communicate in a B2B (business to business) model which not only helps them but allows them to offer a wider variety of goods and services to the public.
“One business might not offer a service or goods you need, but they know which business in the area does and they can refer you to that business,” York said. “And of course consumers can always visit our social media sites where they can easily find a list of member businesses and what they offer.”
The collaborative efforts of local business and groups such as the tourism commissions are just another benefit of shopping small businesses, York said. And it allows local businesses and resident consumers to be an active part of their own economic growth.
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
