Chicopee Chamber of Commerce continues focus on business development

CHICOPEE — Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Melissa Breor claimed the business is furthering its work to assistance organization development in the put up-coronavirus pandemic financial landscape.

Breor, who was hired as the chamber’s leader in August 2022, is continuing quite a few of the chamber’s nicely-honored traditions. She just lately aided rejoice the yearly Shinning Stars gala on March 3, which showcases organizations and community leaders for their lasting impacts.

The event identified McKinstry Market place Garden, Inc as Company of the Calendar year, Holyoke Local community College or university as Nonprofit of the Year, Judith Corridan Danek as Citizen of the Yr, and Mim Zayas as Volunteer of the Yr.

Breor explained the celebration was a great results for the chamber.

“Shinning Stars was superb. I was delighted with the attendance and the electricity. There ended up many inspiring stories shared by our recipients,” stated Breor.

Breor’s central concentrate with the chamber is aiding company enhancement. Next several a long time impacted by COVID-19, Breor explained the chamber is protecting a constructive outlook in 2023.

“Our outlook is undoubtedly a very little additional optimistic. We have found some new organizations open … There is an hunger for persons to just take ownership and actually choose on their very own ventures,” reported Breor.

While industries go on dealing with a couple of lingering issues, these kinds of as amplified value of products and staffing shortages, several new and current firms continue to excel, according to Breor.

The chamber welcomed quite a few companies all through Breor’s tenure, which includes the bar Elixir, Captain Jack’s Roadside Shack, the city’s 1st Scorching Table location on Memorial Travel and the expansion of smoke store JimBuddy’s into getting the city’s 3rd dispensary.

Breor also claimed little company development remains lively in Chicopee.

“I do get calls nearly each individual 7 days from people today who are aspiring to open up a company or operating actively on a organization,” stated Breor.

Alongside with organization development, Breor is doing work to assist protected crucial means. She and the chamber just lately hosted a grant workshop attended by around 30 businesses. The meeting featured the existence of modest enterprise advisors who assist inform people of avenues to protected supplemental funding.

“There are some definitely superb options at the point out degree … We are recognizing that there is a gap in awareness [regarding grants]. Individuals assume that the town is providing out funding, but they do not realize there is a next degree of funding. We want to enable individuals seem for individuals possibilities and succeed at applying for them,” claimed Breor.

Another avenue for small business growth is the chamber’s annual sector, Centre New Chicopee. The weekly seller showcase starts off in the summer time and will take position each and every Thursday ideal outside the house of Metropolis Corridor. As the chamber methods its third yr with Center Refreshing Chicopee, Breor is doing the job to more its impacts.

“The chamber is really on the lookout at that method as a department of our microenterprise development support. We see these vendors, they may possibly not be based in Chicopee, but they are coming to Chicopee to do company. We hope that they have a great experience executing the weekly current market, and if and when they ever chose to go brick and mortar or search for a output place, they may well pick out Chicopee,” said Breor.

Centre New Chicopee will highlight a multitude of regional suppliers along with helping quite a few by microgrant awards. The market place presents equitable solutions to the public by means of a $10 SNAP match for its various generate.

The Chamber of Commerce is also deepening its romantic relationship with EforAll – a countrywide entrepreneur firm primarily based regionally in Holyoke. Breor envisions the plan serving as a different resource to assistance jumpstart aspiring enterprise entrepreneurs.

“We’re hoping to help increase the visibility of that program and get more Chicopee companies to participate in their pitch contest or small business accelerator, which is 100 p.c absolutely free for businesses to participate in,” explained Breor.

The chamber will have an informational session on EforAll on March 27. Interested organizations can signal up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eforall-eparatodos-facts-session-tickets-560620961387?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.

Viewers can find out more about the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce at https://www.chicopeechamber.org/.