If the highways you ride on got fixed recently the Chamber of Commerce probably paved the political path that got the government working. If the small business you work for offers you health insurance, chances are the Chamber Of Commerce helped your employer get it for you. If your company is expanding in Pennsylvania, giving you more job security, well thank your Chamber of Commerce. But worrying about getting things done and getting them paid for are two different matters. Merger mania, especially in the banking and utility industries hasn t helped Chambers.
Consolidated businesses means fewer members and mega-corporations mean more distant decision making.
Independent business owners in this highly competitive electronic age know that when they volunteer to give a couple of hours to a Chamber project they are giving up the 25 th and 26 th hours of their day. That s a sorry number. And after all of that there is still a pretty good chance the Chamber will still help them. Don t wait. October is Chamber of Commerce month in Pennsylvania.