Summary of the Chamber Business Plan

Economic Development - Technology Development - Membership Development

Professional/Workforce Development - Community Development - Government Affairs - Operations

Economic Development

Mission Statement: To improve Shiawassee County's economy by creating the environment, infrastructure and partnerships through which annual net new jobs, average wage, and new investment targets are met or exceeded.  

Summary of Goals in 2005-06: The Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership will manage an economic development alliance with communities and organizations throughout the county to implement a multi-year regional plan to improve the county economic base through aggressive marketing, a retention program to grow existing economic-base industry, to recruit new employers and assist in start ups of new businesses. 

1.    Meet with 70 economic-base employers in the county to assess their needs and provide solutions through innovative programs, products and services to facilitate growth in Shiawassee County.

2.    Work with Shiawassee County governments to establish guidelines and criteria for economic incentives and “fast-track” development.

3.    Provide top quality collateral marketing materials and a world-class web site for distribution to current and prospective clients.

4.    Familiarize key site location professionals with the services and properties Shiawassee County communities have to offer.

5.    Offer free consultation services to 100 people seeking to start or grow a small business through the Chamber's Small Business Resource Center.

6.    Develop financial packaging alternatives through a Revolving Loan Fund and investor funds. 

Technology Development

Mission Statement: To assure the Shiawassee Area has internet and advanced information technology access, infrastructure and education leading the Shiawassee Community to a vibrant future.

 Strategic Charge: The Technology Development Committee is charged with the improvement of advanced information technology through education, Internet access, and supporting economic development. The charge will be accomplished by developing private investment and public/private partnerships.

Summary of Goals in 2005-06:

1.   Participate in improving the county's broadband technology infrastructure and capacity.

2.   Pursue wireless information technology deployment throughout county.

3.   Offer internet, web and basic computer classes to assist community members with their technology access.

4.   Provide an appealing, county-wide web presence for business, education, government and organizations on the Chamber web site at www.shiawasseechamber.org.

5.   Offer a variety of free and fee-based internet/web services for members.  

Membership Development

Mission Statement: To deliver effective membership services, products, programs, education, and communication in support of our member's economic success and continued growth and retention of our membership.

 Strategic Charge: The Membership Development Committee designs and delivers programs, products and services that attract and retain members and produce the needed revenue to support the Chamber Business Plan initiatives. It provides supervision to all of the event subcommittees.

 Summary of Goals in 2005-06:

1.   Increase Members’ awareness of Chamber programs, products and services through personal staff visits and board activities.

2.   Market membership county-wide.

3.   Provide member association plans and benefits that lower member operating costs.

4.   Offer several marketing, networking, special interest and promotional events for members and the community.

5.   Produce top quality, award-winning publications and marketing efforts to showcase our members and our community.

6.   Recognize long-standing members.  

Professional/Workforce Development

Mission Statement: To provide education and professional development program opportunities for youth and adults to assure an ample and capable workforce in Shiawassee County.

 Strategic Charge: The Professional/Workforce Development Committee is made up of business-education partnerships that design and deliver educational programs and seminars on topics of interest to Chamber members/nonmembers,

 Summary of Goals in 2005-06:

1.   Offer the annual Leadership Shiawassee program in collaboration with Baker College of Owosso and the Cook Family Foundation and manage the Leadership Shiawassee Alumni Association.

2.   Offer an annual series of seminars through the Chamber Professional Development Center in the areas of manufacturing, customer service, leadership, technology, and nonprofit management.

3.   Offer the Teen Leadership Discovery program for youth to all school districts in the county.

4.     Support countywide career preparation initiatives (JA, Mock Interviews, Speaker Bureau) in collaboration with SRESD.

Community Development

Mission Statement: To initiate and/or participate in actions to promote regional community development.

 Strategic Charge: The Community Development Committee seeks and supports initiatives to promote and market Shiawassee County, provides services to other Chambers in the county, and operates a Government Affairs Committee to influence local and state legislative/ballot issues.

 Summary of Goals in 2005-06:

1.   Provide fee-for-service project management services to related organizations.

2.   Identify opportunities to collaborate with other Chambers for improved county-wide services.

3.   Develop and deliver county promotional material on events, attractions, maps, living essentials, relocation packets and community assets.

4.   Support the efforts of the Shiawassee County Convention and Visitor Bureau co-located in the Chamber.

Government Affairs Committee

Mission Statement: To study and analyze issues of interest to the businesses in the Shiawassee Region; to take advocacy positions on those issues; and to communicate the Chamber’s viewpoint clearly to our membership, elected officials, and the community at large.

 Strategic Charge: The Government Affairs Committee seeks to educate the Chamber membership about local and state legislative issues important to the business community and then to influence legislation on behalf of Chamber members' interests.  

Summary of Goals in 2005-06: The Chamber Government Affairs Committee will educate members and influence elected officials with a legislative agenda focused on:

1.   Preparation for Job/Business Development

2.   Water Supply and Distribution

3.   Farmland Preservation

4.   Transportation Capacity Improvements

5.   Distribution of positions of candidates on business issues for selected regional elected offices.

Operations Committee

Mission Statement: To serve as an example of sound business operations to our members by conducting Chamber business through high quality administrative functions, financial strength, and a strong Board of Directors.  

Strategic Charge: The Operations Committee provides the Board of Directors and the members the confidence that Chamber by-laws and policies are updated and adhered to and that financial reporting, investment and governance are done in accordance with applicable law and demonstrates best business practices.

Summary of Goals in 2005-06:

1.  Maintain and effective Board of Directors through recruitment, orientation and Board Development

2.  Serve as a resource of best business practices as demonstrated by our internal Chamber operations.

3.  Conduct scheduled by-law, policy manual and financial reviews and audits.

4.  Maintain a five-year budget pro forma and cash flow analysis.