The Ridgway-Elk County Chamber of Commerce
A Chamber of Commerce is a community's business advocate. How this mechanism is best utilized is determined by the needs and desires of businesses and the community.
A Chamber of Commerce may be defined as a "vehicle" for mobilizing people to accomplish agreed upon goals for the betterment of the community.
Our specific purpose is to:
Increase business growth and development of jobs within the market.
Assist in the orderly growth and development of the community and its people.
Contribute to building healthy markets to ensure economic stability.
Retain the private enterprise system with free competitive markets.
A spirit of volunteerism and desire to contribute something back to the community are two important components, helping to lay the foundation of a Chamber of Commerce.
Membership is open to any firm or individual who shares a common interest in improving and enriching the community. Members pay annual dues as their contribution to the organization and to help compensate expenses of the Chamber.
The organization is run by a Board of Directors, elected by the Chamber's membership. The Board of Directors is earmarked to set the policies and procedures for the Chamber. The policies and procedures set forth by the Board of Directors become the responsibility of the paid administrator (The Executive Director). He/She, along with the staff works with volunteers on task forces and committees to develop and implement courses of action for programs, events, position statements, issues and so forth.
A Chamber's activities or issues can be virtually unlimited. Again, this is determined by the needs of its members and community, as well as the ability of the Chamber. Projects are undertaken only after sound and thorough analysis of their value and importance is determined.
A Chamber is a civic clearinghouse, a public relations counselor and a research and promotion medium. Simply put, a Chamber of Commerce is people working together to make their community a better place to live, work and invest.
Interested in joining the Chamber?
If you are interested in joining the Ridgway-Elk County Chamber of Commerce as an individual or as a business, please contact us or stop in the office, and we would be happy to help you.
You can also submit your membership application online or download a paper application and mail it to the Chamber office.
