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2010 Hancock Chamber
President - Tommy Murphy |
It is an absolute honor to serve as the Chamber
President for 2010. This Chamber was established
in 1925 – and I pledge to do my part to help
carry on the Chamber’s 85 year tradition – the
tradition of making a positive difference in
Hancock County.
2010 THEME – TEAMWORK & COMMUNICATION
There is a tremendous amount of teamwork &
communication in Hancock County and the
surrounding region. This year the Chamber plans
to focus in this area – taking it to an even
higher level.
We are the voice of business - representing over
600 member businesses that employ well over
10,000. |
All of the Chamber’s work is accomplished with a small
staff and a large number of dedicated volunteer leaders
– including our 20-member board and the five member
executive committee and ten major program areas:
operations, beautification, education, events, member
services, partnerships with other organizations, and
leadership programs. We also manage two other
non-profits: Partners for Stennis and the Hancock
Community Development Foundation.
2010 PRIORITIES
During 2010, we will continue to execute some of the
same priorities started in prior years.
Countywide Focus
Continue to develop the Chamber’s countywide focus,
including further growth of the Kiln Business Council.
Job Generation Fund
Continue support of the $3 million Job Generation Fund
(low interest/forgivable loan program). Seek additional
funding sources for small business and community
development. Cultivate contacts to obtain funding from
the Department of Treasury to establish a Community
Development Financial Institution. The hope is that this
could grow into a permanent small business
revolving-loan program.
Business Education
Develop a business education program for the Chamber -
including seminars, training and internet training - to
educate members on marketing, financial management,
customer services and how to use technology (such as
social media) to generate business. Partner with others
to provide no-cost, or low-cost, training to small
business at convenient times - focusing on small
business.
Marketing Funds
Continue the search for marketing funds to promote the
area to generate new business for small business owners
– such as last year’s Shop Local campaign.
Business Corridors
Enhance our gateways into Hancock County with a special
2010 focus on the Hwy 607 entrance – The county, cities
and the Hancock County Development Commission have
teamed-up and the Chamber will support these efforts.
Develop a master signage plan for commercial corridors &
find funds for signage. Implement the “Wrap It Up by
2010” awareness campaign to encourage business owners
and residents to remove all visible signs of Katrina.
Government Relations
Government Relations – Enhance relationships with
elected and public officials – through effective
communication.
Business Organizations Partnerships
Pull together a group of business-related organizations
and government to foster teamwork, create dialogue,
collaborate on priorities, and create positive outcomes
on community issues.
New Chamber Office in the Bay St. Louis City Annex
We are very grateful to Mayor Fillingame and the
City of Bay St. Louis for providing the Chamber with a
new permanent home in the City Annex on Court Street. We
plan to make the move this year.
Enhance Member Services through Technology
Enhance member services through technology by launching
a new website with social media links. The Chamber’s
website receives a lot of internet traffic and we want
to take advantage of this tool to help our members.
Membership in the Chamber is a great value – you’ll find
numerous ways on this website how members get more than
our money’s worth. But there’s a more important reason
to join – because it creates teamwork and dialogue
between businesses, which makes us stronger and creates
value for the County and the region.
On behalf of the Chamber's Staff and Board of Directors,
I wish you and your business prosperity and health in
2010.
Tommy Murphy
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