Chamber to gauge business experiences
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STEUBENVILLE -- Tricia Maple-Damewood, Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce president, told the Steubenville Rotary Club on Friday that the chamber will be starting a project to gauge business experiences.
Part of the chamber's Business Friendly Project will help identify what is going well for area businesses and what can be improved, she told club members during their weekly luncheon meeting at the YWCA.
Maple-Damewood said the chamber is trying to determine how businesses are treated by government officials, such as building inspectors. It will look at building regulations and tax rates. The survey also will seek input from contractors and electricians to compare how easy it is to do business in Jefferson County with the experience in other areas, she said.
The survey will show how long it can take to get a business open in parts of the county, she said. She said the survey may show what needs to be improved to attract new businesses to the area.
Maple-Damewood said she hopes to be able to contact persons interested in opening a business to gather their input.
"We need to find out what is true and what is a rumor," she said about how businesses are treated.
The survey also will compare how the county ranks compared to similar areas when it comes to being business friendly.
"We want every experience to be a good one," she said.
The survey will be sent out to all chamber members.
The Business Friendly Project will include the revamping of the small business center, where new business owners can go for help. Maple-Damewood said the small business center is looking for volunteers, such as accountants, who can work to mentor a business owner in operations.
Maple-Damewood also told the Rotarians about the Shift Your Shopping campaign held this holiday season. The campaign stressed the need to spend money at local businesses. It started on Small Business Saturday after Thanksgiving where the chamber had five stations throughout the county offering coffee and coupons for local businesses.
"We encouraged people to stay in the area and spend money locally," she said.
The chamber also held a buy local receipt drawing, where customers were given a chance to win $500 with every $50 receipt from a local business. The chamber also distributed T-shirts with the message to eat, drink and buy local.
Maple-Damewood designed a Christmas ornament in the shape of Jefferson County showing every municipality.
"We will add a new ornament each year. because ornaments are something people collect," she said.
Maple-Damewood said there is a place for everyone at the chamber of commerce. She said membership includes large and small businesses, but also has churches, schools and retired citizens.
"They all bring something to the chamber," she said.
The chamber is hosting several upcoming events, including the Hank Kuzma Chamber Day at the Franciscan University of Steubenville on Jan. 26. The event will feature food and drinks for chamber members and men's and women's basketball games at the fieldhouse.
The Investor-to-Investor Trade Fair will be held on Feb. 6 at St. Florian Event Center. The Tri-State Home and Garden Show is set for March 1 through March 3 at St. Florian.