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Community
Chamber of commerce
Office promotes St. Mary's County business concerns
Thursday, March 26, 2009
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The St. Mary's County Chamber of Commerce, "where business and community meet," is a nonprofit association of businesses and has been dedicated to community progress for more than 30 years.
The chamber's membership includes more than 600 businesses and represents more than 25,000 employees.
Since 1974, the chamber has supported education, promoted tourism and worked to bring new jobs to the county. It is often the first point of contact for visitors and persons relocating to the county as well as a continuing resource for existing businesses and residents. The St. Mary's County Welcome Center, located at 37575 Charlotte Hall School Road in Charlotte Hall, is managed by the chamber through a contract with the St. Mary's County government.
The chamber speaks for its members as new legislation is proposed and implemented. It takes a proactive stance in local affairs, helping its members meet the challenges of doing business in the county.
The chamber also seeks community-based solutions to address issues like infrastructure, economic development, workforce housing and preservation of the rural landscape through the use of transferable development rights.
The chamber works with various agencies such as Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Small Business Development Center, St. Mary's County Job Connection, Community Development Corporation, Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland and the Minority Business Alliance.
The chamber sponsors many events throughout the year.
The Business Showcase, which provides local businesses with an opportunity to promote their goods and services in a professional setting, is held each May. The annual Chamber Golf Classic is held in October.
An annual meeting with Southern Maryland legislators provides an opportunity to update chamber members on proposed legislation.
Monthly business after-hours events are informal evenings for members to meet and greet each other in a relaxed atmosphere. The chamber also supports programs such as Business Education Community Alliance.
Chamber members are eligible for membership in the Cedar Point Federal Credit Union.
The chamber board's ambassadors committee arranges ribbon cuttings with new businesses in the county, as well as for relocations of existing businesses, changes in ownership or other significant happenings in the life of a business.
Training and education opportunities through various seminars are offered to members by the chamber which provide assistance in addressing current business and community issues.
Calls and e-mails requesting information for local products and services are received by the chamber on a frequent basis, and these inquiries are referred to chamber member businesses who meet those needs.
