I’ve been thinking a lot about when I started in 2021 as the Chamber’s executive director. As I review the past year with our accomplishments, challenges and opportunities, I do believe that we’ve advanced on several fronts with new programing i.e., the Small Business Breakfast Club meetings, Retail Therapy, more advertising, enhanced social media presence, Co-Starters training for the Wetzel-Tyler Young Entrepreneur Development Program, as well as participating in numerous community activities, and yet there is still so much more to do!
I realize that there are still a number of people in the community who don’t know what we do. We have a mission that is stated on our homepage: www.wetzeltylerchamber.org. What our Chamber strives to do, as all chambers of commerce do, is to assist in economic development for our communities! That means making the community aware of new and existing businesses and encouraging everyone to support those endeavors. When people don’t shop locally, those businesses, your neighbors, can’t survive. If they don’t survive, neither do our communities! It’s as simple as that.
You may have noticed that we have a lot of new people coming into our neighborhoods. Some are here for temporary work and others are relocating. What are people looking for when they are relocating? Reasonable housing costs, good schools, quality healthcare, educational opportunities, entertainment, family friendly activities. We have all of that right here in both Wetzel and Tyler Counties! I am personally very proud of all that we offer here. And yet, I wish to see even more. We can do more, go bigger, but it must start with a commitment from all of us.
I’m asking that you join us if you are a business. We will promote you. I ask that if you are a member, participate! Come to ribbon cuttings, business after hours and any of the activities and events going on around town and within our region. I ask that you accept Chamber Cash gift certificates and become a participating business. I ask that you imagine that Wetzel and Tyler Counties become all our safe and warm space to land. Happy 2023. We absolutely can do this!
