The Broader Benefits of Chamber of Commerce Involvement and Membership

By Marcel Wagner

Think about the benefits of involvement and membership in your local Chamber of Commerce . . .do you only see it as an organized group of business owners and professionals networking, sharing idea’s and discussing issues their businesses are facing?

All of that is true, but there are so many more benefits of Chamber membership. The collective power and partnerships led by the Chamber can have profound and far-reaching effects on local communities. The most basic impacts are enhanced economic development, social initiatives, and overall community well-being. Remember that the Chamber is a business organization primarily and the stimulus for social interaction of members second. The Chamber is a champion for economic growth in all business sectors and determined to position Fernley to face future challenges.

In today’s business climate, and more specifically with the growth that Fernley is experiencing and anticipating, two of the most critical factors are workforce attraction and the development of a well-educated and skilled workforce. How can your Chamber be a factor in addressing this critical need? At the recent Chamber Quarterly Luncheon, we heard from Mark IV, developers of the Victory Logistics District, about their plans for a Center of Excellence to bring in the educational resources to provide the training and skills development required to keep our businesses competitive. The Chamber can be the conduit between our members and the resources that the Center of Excellence will provide to determine what types of training and skills development are most needed. With that information the educational partners at the University of Nevada, Reno and Western Nevada College can structure programs that have the greatest benefit to the Fernley business community. Fernley is truly fortunate to have Mark IV as a driver of this resource. 

Another area where the Chamber can play an important role is in talent retention and talent attraction. The Lyon County Schools have a tremendous role in talent retention. The initiatives developed by the school district provide students with information about the employment opportunities right here at home, The Chamber has the responsibility to provide the information that students can use when evaluating post-graduation future education and employment options. The Chamber partnership with Lyon County schools is just getting started and your membership in the Chamber provides the resources needed to make this initiative successful

There are other benefits to your Chamber membership . . .stay tuned for additional articles to highlight those benefits.

Marcel Wagner is the manager of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce. He is a retired economic development executive who moved to Fernley in 2021 with his wife Karen.