What is a chamber of commerce?

 

According to Wikipedia, the definition is "A chamber of commerce (also referred to in some circles as a board of trade) is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community. Local businesses are members, and they elect a board of directors or executive council to set policy for the chamber. The board or council then hires a President, CEO or Executive Director, plus staffing appropriate to size, to run the organization." That sounds finite and focused.

When we were brought on board to run the chamber, I believed that our main focus would be much as described in the above statement. That was until I sat behind the desk in the chamber. What became very clear is that administering business advocacy and promotion is only partially applicable to the daily office routine of the Greater Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Along with the chamber, we operate an extremely active Visitors Center. Open seven days a week, we enjoy 25 to 30 visitors per day from as far away as Australia, and as close as Richardson Street. On the average the chamber receives 45 phone calls per day. Many of those calls are requests for visitor information or "relocation" packets, and we typically send out 8 to 10 packets each week. Additionally, we often get requests from residents to make up packets that include brochures about the points of interest in our community along with the calendar of events to present to guests coming in for a wedding or family reunion.

 

 

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By George Runner

It's no secret that starting a new business in California is tough. With our high tax rates and hostile regulations, we are consistently ranked one of the worst states in which to do business and create jobs.

For years the California State Board of Equalization has been making this problem worse by demanding security deposits from all new California corporations and LLCs. The required security typically equals half a year's worth of taxes and ranges from $2,000 to $50,000 per company. This shake-down effectively penalizes new business owners before they can get their business up and running, make their first sale or owe any tax.