Chamber Sets 2009 Goals

Historians already are looking at 2008 as a year similar to 1984 or 1969: A historic year that will be remembered for many milestones, triumphs, defeats, and change in the American psyche.

Greenville, too, saw much of the same in 2008. But, not a community to look backwards, the community and the Greenville Chamber are looking to 2009 to make a significant difference. Here are some of the main strategic goals that were implemented.

Community Prosperity:
Knowing how important it is to the economic health of the region, the Chamber places great influence on raising the per capita income, that is how much employees earn because of increased employer production. Chamber staff will issues related to drivers of per capita income and get volunteers involved to increase community prosperity.

The Chamber will continue leading in the region’s entrepreneurial development by expanding entrepreneurial support throughout Clemson, Pendleton and Anderson; it will increase demand for occupancy at the NEXT Innovation Center (entrepreneurial center on Church Street); and, it will promote development of entrepreneurial, high tech businesses in the Upstate by developing a six-week summer program.

Voice of Business:
In addition to continuing to represent Upstate businesses by pushing the Chamber’s Legislative Agenda, the Chamber’s political action committee will be fully funded, the Chamber will implement a fight against a bill that promotes unions, and the Chamber will support the formation of an Upstate Caucus.

Collaboration:
Knowing that Greenville can only become a premier place in the world to do business through collaborative efforts, the Chamber has in its goals for 2009 to develop a small business portal, which will serve Greenville’s small businesses through client service, public advocacy, and infrastructure development. It will also work to provide leadership development programs for businesses, youth, and community leaders.

Quality of Life:
Education and workforce development are vital to the region’s economic potential for prosperity. That is why for 2009 the Chamber has set out to facilitated the convening of community organizations for the purpose of elevating education to a top priority for Greenville; it is charged with increasing its participating schools in its Carolina First Center of Excellence; it will develop a plan to increase the number of adults with advanced education; and, it will develop a plan to position business community to lead the development of workforce strategies.

The Chamber will also work to attract a low fare air carrier to Greenville/Spartanburg Airport and seek additional flights from legacy carriers.

For more information, contact the Chamber at 864-242-1050 or visit its web site at http://www.greenvillechamber.org/.