WhAT is the homer chamber of commerce?

The Homer Chamber of Commerce is a volunteer partnership of the business community uniting the efforts of business, industry and individuals to ensure a healthy economic base while improving the quality of life in our community. The Homer Chamber harnesses the tremendous potential of the private enterprise system and enables its members to accomplish collectively what no one could do individually. Your Chamber is a group of business and professional people working together to make our community a better place for everyone to live and work.

How Does it Work?

Your Chamber is run by its members. The policies and programs of the Chamber are determined by its board of directors, elected by the membership. They in turn employ a paid executive director, whose basic responsibility is to organize and execute the Chamber's program and carry out its policies.

What Does it Do?

The variety and scope of the Chamber activities is unlimited, depending on the needs of the community and the desire and ability of the Chamber to carry them out. The Chamber represents and promotes the area's economy and encourages business investments and development, broadening the tax base and strengthening business. To business prospects and visitors, the Chamber is the community's front door, welcoming visitors from around the world.

How is the Chamber Funded?

The Chamber of Commerce is a business, and it incurs the costs of operation. These expenses are paid for by membership dues, fund-raising events and grants. Members, individuals and firms representing all types of business, industry and professions share in the financial support of the Chamber. All share a mutual desire to achieve a better community for all of its citizens, thus making the Chamber of Commerce a tangible investment. The Chamber of Commerce is not a charity, we are an advocate organization for local businesses.

Why Invest in the Chamber?

The Chamber of Commerce is the sales force for the community and business. We promote the products and services of our members through brochure display, referrals and networking. The united voice of the Chamber has often proven effective and beneficial to business where a single voice can go unheard. The rewards of belonging to the Chamber are full-time representation and year-round results. When you join the Chamber, you are hiring extra staff; you hire a business advisor, public relations liaison, business broker, information coordinator and more to assist your business.

You and Your Chamber

Basic to all activities of the Chamber is its unifying influence. In serving on committees, coordinating events and attending meetings, every Chamber member becomes involved in an organization effort that is mutually beneficial to their community, their neighbors and to themselves.

Partners for a Better America

Celebrating its 60th Anniversary in 2008, the Homer Chamber of Commerce has evolved its operation, attitudes, and programs to meet the challenges of today. However, one premise remains inviolate, the integral role of involved and concerned citizens to make Homer a better place to live and do business.

Today, as it was in 1768 when the first Chamber of Commerce in America was formed, the basic concept of a Chamber of Commerce remains the same: a voluntary organization representing all segments of the business community with the potential for marshaling the energies and efforts of its membership toward the accomplishment of common goals for the betterment of community, state and country.