THE CHAMBER CORNER: CHAMBER TRIES TO HELP CITY GROW, YET REMAIN PLEASANT

As all of you know, the community of Jackson (residential and commercial) is growing in leaps and bounds all around us. Is this a bad thing? Would it be better if we could just stay a small town and keep outsiders "outside?" Or is this a good thing? Is it better to expand and grow in an orderly fashion, moving forward into the new millennium?

Well, depending on your point of view, both questions could be answered with a yes.

Traditionally, Chambers of Commerce were designed strictly to enhance business agendas for its members, and provide resources and networking opportunities for those businesses to use. Well, as the saying goes, "The times, they are a changing." The role of a Chamber of Commerce, at least this one, has expanded and we are not only involved with business items, but social, civic, economic development, and tourism items as well. But, if you look close, those items are all part of helping the community achieve a higher standard.

The goal of this Chamber of Commerce is to attempt to maintain the small town atmosphere, promoting local businesses and tourist attractions, while expanding business and civic opportunities within the community. In a nutshell, we are trying to make everyone in Jackson happy, not just businesses, but the citizens as well. Is that a realistic goal? Of course not, but it won't keep us from trying.

So now you have it in a nutshell what a Chamber of Commerce is all about. We are 300 strong and growing, one loud voice as compared to 300 low ones. And you don't have to be in business to join the chamber.

If you have an interest in your growing community, School system, agriculture issues, transportation issues, and a sense of civic duty, then the Chamber of Commerce is the place to be. We make progress through teamwork.

Ken Parrett is executive director of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce.