Charles County Chamber Of Commerce Links Businesses To Education, Capital
The business climate in Charles County offers much more than a flourishing economy with prime access to the nation’s capitol.
Through the Charles County Chamber of Commerce, businesses can access a variety of resources to expand their business skills, establish key contacts and influence legislation affecting their businesses and employees.
“We offer networking and training for almost anything you need to learn in your business,” says Chamber President and CEO Dan Barufaldi.
A recently formed network of ten industry-specific councils is an especially popular business-building tool among chamber members. Groups meet monthly to share best practices and receive training from notable industry leaders. Councils are specific to small business/CEO; engineering and architecture; financial services; health care; hotel, motel and restaurant management; information technology; marketing professionals; minority business; nonprofit; and, most recently, financial services. Plans are also underway to collaborate with the local real estate board.
The chamber also offers educational seminars on topics ranging from cash flow management to information technology. A bank loan training course provides small business owners an insight into the world of financing, as well as the chance to complete lending paperwork in advance and receive a partial or complete waiver of application fees.
“The program is effective because small business owners generally don’t have time to sit around with bankers, and bankers get the opportunity to catch the eye of business owners,” Barufaldi explains.
Meanwhile, a legislative committee led by industry experts works each week during Maryland’s legislative session to keep chamber members informed on pertinent issues.
“Any legislation or regulation change affects businesses in some way, from health care and insurance laws to the construction of highways and bridges,” Barufaldi says. “As a group representing 800 business members, we’re able to influence how things go by letting our elected officials know our position.” Chamber members also participate in informal lobbying and often testify at legislative sessions.
Meanwhile, frequent networking events, such as the chamber’s monthly Connections breakfasts, encourage alliances between new and old members.
Barufaldi attributes the chamber’s success to the commitment of local business leaders who want to do more than simply join the fast-growing organization.
“Becoming a member is great, but what we really appreciate is participation,” he says. “The businesses that participate are those that get a terrific return on their investments, and we’re seeing a real uptake in the amount of participation and enthusiasm. We really have some momentum going.”
