Heather Bell
Contributing writer
The Radford Chamber of Commerce exceeded last year’s membership goal and has increased revenue by 33 percent in the past three years, the organization’s leaders told Radford City Council on Monday.
Chamber Executive Director Lisa Davis, Office Manager Laura Kinzie and Chamber Board President David Horton presented the Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Report for 2017 during city council’s meeting held Monday.
From membership to regional reach, the message was a growing chamber of commerce that is working to improve the business climate in the city.
Davis said the Chamber hoped to increase membership by 10 percent in 2017 and reached 11.3 percent. Some of the new members had been Chamber members years ago, now see a better value in Chamber membership and have returned, she said.
Others are new businesses to the city, and some are new members from outside of Radford, including the NRV Super Bowl in Christiansburg.
“We exceeded our goal, so we are really pleased about that,” she said. “And gaining members from outside the city shows we are having a larger reach in the New River Valley.”
Davis said one of the chamber’s main goals for 2018 is to increase its educational offerings to its members, while continuing and increasing promotion of those members to potential customers and clients.
The Chamber plans to have more business education seminars and talks. Increasing membership is also a continued goal, Davis said. The Chamber has increased membership by a minimum of 10 percent for the past three years.
Horton presented findings from the Chamber’s recent business forum to council members and asked city leaders to assist in accomplishing some of the goals set because of those findings.
Horton said the event, which was held Jan. 18 at the Radford Public Library, brought out 65 people to discuss the business climate in Radford and what can be done to encourage business growth in the city.
Horton said attendees mentioned the need for more facilitation and education in the process of how to open a business in Radford, and expressed the need for façade improvements to several buildings in the business district. Horton said he hopes the city can work toward a façade improvement program in the future.
Radford Mayor Dr. Bruce Brown lauded the Chamber leaders for its success.
“The energy and integrity that you bring to the Chamber has led to better engagement from your members,” he said. “The proof is in the pudding.”
