Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Southwestern Madison County Chamber of Commerce do?
The Chamber of Commerce Southwestern Madison County serves as the voice of business, promoting the economic and community well-being of this Chamber’s service area which includes: Granite City, Madison, Venice, Pontoon Beach and Mitchell.
This Chamber offers many opportunities, benefits, services and resources designed to help our business commuity. Membership advantages include business promotion, targeted advertising and publicity, networking, advocacy, educational opportunities and connections to resources, information and influence. Our work focuses on:
- Strengthening the local economy by assisting companies to grow, start and relocate
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- The primary economic development effort of the Chamber has been through advocacy, ensuring the region supports our local business community
- Nurture effective and collaborative relationships
- Be the go-to resource for local business information
- Support the needs of our local companies to ensure they remain in the community
- Drive initiatives to enhance an entrepreneurial environment
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- Grow legislative influence in the region
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- Be a watchdog for issues affecting our membership
- Empower members to act on issues that impact business
- Foster relationships with decision makers to ensure productive dialogue
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- Sustainably grow membership and maximize member experience
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- Expand membership by identifying segments of the business community that would enrich the existing membership base and further the Chamber’s Mission
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- Enhance Chamber operations to increase effectiveness and long term success
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- Ensure that the Chamber’s work is structured to maximize member-driven needs and expectations while maintaining brand quality
- Engage new generations of business leaders
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- Develop cohesive and effective communications, branding, and marketing efforts with membership and our communities
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- Facilitate member to member to member communication, expanding opportunities to do more business locally
- Identify methods of disseminating information and communicating with members and within the community
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What benefits does my business gain by joining the Chamber?
The Chamber is the only organization consistently and exclusively engaged in promoting the civic and economic development of the area. Each year brings new challenges to our business community, it is the support and the strength of our members that will make a difference on the critical issues that impact businesses and the quality of life in this area.
- New Business Contacts
- Marketing Opportunities
- Website Marketing
- Business Referrals
- Community Recognition Involvement
- Promotion of the Area
- Website Promotion of the Area
- The Chamber designs, writes and disseminates promotional information on individual businesses, business leaders, the information is used to promote the area: Industries, Medical Centers, Colleges, School Districts, Developers, New Residents, and Churches
- The Chamber office staff personally “Welcomes” new business in the community, provides Ribbon Cuttings and Grand Openings to new businesses at no cost, serves as a goodwill ambassador for the area, promotes the area both local and regional, A Board Room to members for meetings (with no food) is available, and assist in business hosting Businesses After Hours at no cost
- Interacts with County, State, and Federal agencies for programs that will benefit the area
- The Chamber office serves as a clearinghouse and a pick-up point
- The Chamber fields numerous calls from industry and commercial developers and works in tandem to set up meetings with the different government entities
- The staff fields dozens of telephone calls daily regarding: Business start-ups, Small business loans, Better Business Referrals, Race time and directions, Available space to rent and to buy, Directions, Hotel/Motel information, Visitors point of interest, Relocation inquiries, Referrals to doctors, dentists, realtors, etc., Information on area parks, and Information on school districts in area
Click here to learn more on the benefits of membership
What does the Chamber do for my community?
The Chamber of Commerce of Southwestern Madison County is consistently and exclusively engaged in promoting the civic and economic development of the area. It is the support and the strength of our members that make a difference on the critical issues that impact businesses and the quality of life in this area.
How does my business join?
Join the Chamber by visiting or calling the office to receive information on membership. If interested, please fill out and return a membership form. Fee for membership varies.
Click here to learn more on joining the Chamber