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Thank you for your interest in membership with the Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce. The way we look at it, you really don’t join the Chamber – you HIRE us. And we take our work very seriously.
The Chamber works to increase your sales through our members-only referral service, shop members first awareness campaigns, our Business After Hours networking program, and Chamber advertising opportunities. We help keep your costs under control through our business education programs, our legislative affairs activities, and business operation tips in our newsletter. We are also on hand to respond to your business needs or issues related to sales or cost of doing business, in the time it takes to make a phone call. Just ask us-we will go right to work on your request! When we do these two things – increase your sales and reduce your costs- we are helping you do one more thing – make a profit in a highly competitive marketplace.
Advocacy
· Members receive advocacy support from the Legislative Affairs Committee on a myriad of issues impacting business at the local, county, and state legislative levels.
· Through the work of the Business Enhancement Team, the Chamber has continued to advocate for the needs of businesses of Cloquet. · The Chamber works with the MN Chamber in representing and advocating business issues at the State Capitol. Issues such as health care reform, transportation and roadway funding, energy resources, and others are on the agenda for the Legislative Session.
· The Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce is poised and ready to take on issues impacting our members. What can we do to assist you and your business needs?
Information:
· Through the monthly publication of the Chamber Newsletter, the Chamber provides information to our members about Chamber programs, area events, and emerging business issues. The newsletter is also an excellent tool for promoting our members.
· Through the use of surveys and focus groups, the Chamber keeps our members abreast of current issues, and encourages involvement from all Chamber members.
· The Chamber staff provides information to tourists, new residents, and business start up/expansion inquiries. Resources include city services, education, economic development agencies, and businesses.
· The Tourism Committee promotes and informs potential visitors about all of the many seasonal attractions and recreational opportunities available throughout Carlton County.
Leadership:
· The Chamber sponsored Leadership Training Program that provides an in-depth six-month training program for area business people interested in developing leadership skills.
· Through the Kids Voting Carlton County program, the Chamber allows young people from throughout Carlton County grades k-12 to learn leadership skills in exercising their right to vote. Hundreds of business volunteers play a leadership role in this program.
· The Chamber provides leadership in networking and marketing opportunities through a myriad of special events such as Business after Hours, The Home & Lifestyle Expo, Annual Golf Outing, and more!
· The Chamber leads the way with promotional opportunities for our members with publications such as the monthly Chamber newsletter, the Cloquet Area Resource Guide & Business Directory, the chamber web site, and the Carlton County map.
Shop our Members! Campaign:
· Create support between local businesses and the community, raise public awareness of the benefits of doing business locally.
· Address governmental policies that support our local businesses.
· Facilitate collaborative efforts among members (possible ideas include: cooperative marketing strategies, cooperative health insurance, cooperative purchasing, work force development).
Why support local businesses? Because it makes economic sense. Our politicians and civic leaders talk at great length about creating jobs and attracting business. But not all business is good business and locally owned and operated businesses contribute substantially more to our economy than do absentee owners. Dollars spent in locally owned and operated businesses stay in the local economy longer and therefore create greater local wealth.
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