Business Plan

Thank you for your interest in the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce. It is our desire that you find this community as inviting and gratifying as we do. For over 100 years, the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce has led the effort to promote our community and to spread the word of a thriving place to do business and a wonderfully comfortable and friendly place to live and grow. Recognized by the U.S. Chamber as a Five-Star Accredited Chamber, the highest designation possible, The Anderson Area Chamber is eager to serve the Anderson Area Business Community.

The Anderson Area is comprised of a population approaching 180,000 with the city of Anderson as the county seat. Also included in the area are the cities of Belton, Honea Path, Iva, Pelzer, Pendleton, Starr, West Pelzer and Williamston. Although not incorporated, the Powdersville area that borders Greenville County has become one of the fastest growing communities in upstate South Carolina.

Clemson University is just 20 minutes from the city of Anderson, offering a wide variety of sports as well as cultural and educational opportunities. Clemson, along with Tri-County Technical College and Anderson University offer our residents unsurpassed opportunities for advancement in their careers.

AnMed Health, the area’s largest employer, is again among the nation’s best in terms of clinical excellence, according to an independent study by HealthGrades, a national health care ratings organization based.

Our chamber is proud of the many programs and initiatives we provide as a voice for business. We continue to support national, state, and local legislative agendas to sustain and advance the wellbeing of businesses in our area. We are equally proud of the Leadership Programs we provide for developing and educating our citizens and youth.

If you are not a member of the Chamber allow me to personally invite you to invest in our organization which commits to bring value to your business or industry by connecting you to your customers and community through relationship building.

If you are an existing member, thank you for your insight and leadership in our community.

Philip E. Ashley, 2009 Chairman of the Board

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COUNCIL - Mike Gray, Director
Purpose: To provide leadership in support of pro-business legislation and access to our elected officials on a local, state and national level.

Public Policy and Forums
Chair: Doug Wright

Provide members with access to elected representatives and key government officials
Provide strong business advocacy on legislation and regulatory issues affecting Anderson and Upstate businesses
Recommend to the Chamber Board, Chamber positions as needed on key business issues that affect the business community
Continue to support an Annual “Business Advocate of the Year” in cooperation with Duke Power
Conduct ongoing forums for local, state and national elected officials to receive input on business related issues
Develop a Legislative Agenda for the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce
Continue to support Columbia Day, a one-day trip to Columbia, South Carolina to learn about the legislative process and to communicate our business needs to our state legislators and agency officials in Columbia

National Issues Forum (Washington, DC Trip)
Chair: Terry Garrison

Host a region-wide trip to Washington, DC planned in conjunction with Anderson, Clemson, Easley, Laurens, Pickens and Seneca Chambers to help encourage and promote awareness of federal issues that affect our region

STAFF LIAISON: Lee Luff

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL - Juan A. Brown, Director
Purpose: To foster a climate for an improved economic environment by encouraging relationships with local municipalities, state agencies and area educational institutions.

Anderson/Clemson University Alliance
Chair: John A. Miller, Jr., FACHE

Develop opportunities for Anderson County to become an integral part of Clemson University
Create awareness of the Clemson Research and Innovation Campus
Continue ongoing dialogue with representatives from Clemson University

Anderson Area Manufacturing Group (Plant Managers)
Chair: Jack Woodson

Maintain a forum for information and discussion with area industrial and manufacturing companies

Transportation
Chair: Bob Pledger

Provide guidance and advice to the Chamber Board regarding transportation issues
Be cognizant of transportation-related issues and advocate for improvements when needed
Monitor issues related to air, rail, public transportation and matters affecting roads and bridges
Develop strategies for Chamber initiatives on transportation related activities

Water Resources
Chair: Dyke Spencer

Monitor legislative issues as they pertain to water resource issues
Facilitate discussions concerning water resources with communities surrounding Lake Hartwell
Continue on-going dialogue with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

MEMBERSHIP & SPECIAL EVENTS COUNCIL - Sheryl Ross, Director
Purpose: Overall responsibility for membership recruitment, retention and communications and To provide an opportunity for networking, promotion, education and recognition of chamber membership.

Ambassadors

Serve as the volunteer customer service branch of the Chamber
Contact members to promote Chamber member benefits and to
encourage involvement in events, programs and committees

Business After Hours/BIZNET

To provide networking events for Chamber members to meet and exchange ideas and information

Annual Celebration
Chair: Melissa Kendall

Celebrates the members of the Chamber with a black-tie event

Annual Meeting Luncheon

Recognize the incoming and outgoing Chamber leadership and present the Business Advocate of the Year Award, Chamber Ambassador of the Year Award, Non-Profit Director of the Year Award and Leadership Alumni Award.

Men’s Golf Outing

Organize and coordinate the 2009 Men's Golf Outing

Women’s Golf Outing
Chair: Tonya Fields

Organize and coordinate the 2009 Women’s Golf Outing

MEMBER BENEFITS

Improve key program elements to increase member interaction and business connection
Continue to offer CertifiChecks program to promote spending between members and to maintain dollars in our local economy
Sponsor group health insurance program, telecommunications, wireless telephone, and merchant account programs to provide Chamber members with tangible savings
Promote the Member2Member discount program to encourage commerce between Chamber members and their employees
Explore new member benefit programs to offer group discount plans for Chamber members

STAFF LIAISON: CINDY B. HOPKINS, IOM

BUSINESS ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE

Education and Training
Chair: Rubert Austin

Utilize member resources and personnel as well as collaborate with professional firms and institutions of learning to enhance educational opportunities for the business community
Plan and execute Business and Education Seminars and Forums that focus on current topics and issues that affect all aspects of business operations

STAFF LIAISON: Lee Luff

Small Business Awards Luncheon

Develop and coordinate the 2008 Small Business Awards Luncheon

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL - J. Carey Jones, Director
Purpose: To enhance the community through leadership development and community enrichment projects and programs.

Chamber Fund
Chair: Todd Davidson

To receive and maintain a fund of real or personal property, or both, and to use the income and the principal exclusively for charitable, educational or scientific purposes
Support projects and services delivered by the Chamber deemed appropriate under the guidelines of the endowment.

STAFF LIAISON: LEE R. LUFF, CCE, CAE

EDUCATION RELATIONS/WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Support area employers by preparing and supporting the current and future workforce
Promote opportunities for business/industry interaction with providers of educational services

Leadership Development
Leadership Anderson/Board of Regents
Chair: Bradley Orr

To select, develop and graduate a group of informed, committed and qualified individuals capable of providing leadership for the Anderson community

Discover Anderson
Chair: Kelly Nichols

To help residents develop a better understanding of Anderson County and encourage them to become more active in the community

Leadership Alumni Association
Chair: Butch Hughes

To connect Leadership Anderson and Discover Anderson graduates with local community service opportunities

Junior Leadership Anderson
Chair: Deborah Roegge

To select, develop and graduate area high school juniors who recognize and comprehend community challenges and foster leadership qualities and skills

STAFF LIAISON: Cindy Hopkins, IOM

SPECIAL INITIATIVES

Imagine Anderson - Vision 2026

Assist in the implementation and benchmarking of the Vision 2026 Plan that encompasses all sectors of our community, both public and private, in education, the arts, health care, economic development, employment and workforce development, infrastructure, public safety, quality of life, etc.

Young Anderson Professionals (YAP)

Continue a dialogue with YAP to develop an ongoing relationship

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