Chamber Achievements

What we do:

A Chamber of Commerce is a volunteer organization that unites business and Professional people in an effort to expand the economy of an area. The Chamber is PEOPLE. The Chamber is also a place where members can get involved and accomplish collectively what not one of them could do alone. This creates a pool of resources from which to draw ideas, energies and finances.

What have we done lately for Roxboro/Person County

Small Business Committee
• Wage and Hour Lunch and Learn on September 23, 2003 presented by the North Carolina Department of Labor
• "Worthless Checks" Lunch and Learn held in March 2002 - Presented by DA Joe Brewer in conjunction with the Piedmont Community College Business Development Center.
• "Competing with the Retail Giants" Dinner program held May 7, 2002 in conjunction with the Piedmont Community College Business Development Center
• "Memory Seminar" held May 28, 2002.
• Brick Award to Palace Pointee - August 1, 2002.
• "Investing" Breakfast and Learn held September 25, 2002 in conjunction with the Piedmont Community College Business Development Center.
• Conducted Small Business Survey in late September polling members of their needs.
• Small Business of the Year Award for 2002 was awarded to Electronic Solutions, Inc. on January 23, 2003.

Industrial Relations Committee
• Hold monthly meetings with programs to discuss issues pertaining to industry.
• Industry needs communicated to Economic Development Commission through the Industrial Relations Committee.
• Confined Space Rescue Initiative still vital cooperative agreement with the City of Roxboro Fire Department, Piedmont Community College, local industries, and the Roxboro Area Chamber of Commerce.
Held Annual Safety Banquet on April 8, 2003.
• Opened Chamber office on a Saturday morning in October for Georgia-Pacific's "Application Drive"

Education and Workforce Development Committee
• Improved the Honor Card to include more businesses that would attract young customers.
• Continue to work with the Partners in Education School-to-Work Taskforce! Education Committee to target areas of concern.
• In response to the Industrial Relations Committee and the Education and
Workforce Development Committee, Progress Energy hired five high school graduates/PCC students to work at Progress Energy and attend PCC. After successful completion of the two-year program, they will become full-time employees of Progress Energy.
• Identified factors considered as employee deterrents: childcare, transportation, single-parent homes, etc.

Governmental Affairs
• Met with a representative from the North Carolina Department of Labor in
September to discuss the possibility of developing apprenticeship and intern- ship programs with the intent to also develop legislation for passage of a tax credit for apprenticeships and internships.

Housing Committee

• Sponsored a "Good Morning Coffee Hour" on June 26, 2002 and invited
Mr. Danny Sellers, Director of Education and Training for the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission to inform the public about Alcohol issues in North Carolina.
• In partnership, the City of Roxboro and the Roxboro Area Chamber of
Commerce presented Chip King with Neb King, Inc., the "Reinvesting in Roxboro" Outstanding Business Award at the June 26, 2001 Coffee Hour.
• Attended several county commissioners' meetings to stress the concern of the "Junk Car" ordinance not being enforced.
• Conveyed the need of more timely inspections from the Person County Inspection department, and offered assistance in developing check lists.
• Worked with the City of Roxboro and Person County on ordinances for condominium and townhouse construction.

Agricultural Committee

• Farm-City Week held November 11-15, 2002
• November 12 - Sprint DSL Kickoff
• November 13 - Coffee Hour;
• November 15 - Pig Picking. Farm-City Week is a joint effort with Person County Cooperative Extension, Person County Farmers and industries, and the Chamber.

Leadership Person County

• Team building retreat held in February 2003 at Camp Kanata.
Conducted by community leaders, the class attends leadership sessions on the following: Arts, History & Future Perspectives; Human Services & Volunteerism; Business-Agriculture-Industry-Finance; Justice & Law Enforcement; Health & Medicine; National, State & Local Government; and Education.
The class chose to oversee the governor's "Clean Sweep" campaign each year for Person County as their class project.
• Graduated eight leaders/potential leaders on November 7, 2002 at Palace Pointee.

Regular Tourism Authority Committee

• Various Business After Hours and Coffee Hours held.
• Held 23rd annual Personality Festival September 6 & 7, 2002. The 24th Annual Festival is scheduled for September 5 & 6, 2003.
• Attended Ribbon Cuttings held throughout the year - Brass Eagle, Roxboro Motor Sports Dragway, Southern Parts of Roxboro, Wal-Mart Super Center, and Curves for Women-Roxboro.
• Sixth Annual Golf Tournament to be held June 27, 2003 at the Roxboro Country Club.
• Adult Spelling Bee held July 17, 2003 at Hyco Lake Community Building.

Membership Development Committee

• Membership as of October 1, 2003 = 385* members in good standing.," (*Includes 25 new members, 2 reinstated members, and 8 who dropped.)
• Referred Chamber member businesses for goods and services.