AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

FOR OVER SIX DECADES, THE AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS BEEN A KEY CONNECTOR FOR BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS, AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY-PROVIDING RESOURCES, NETWORKING, ADVOCACY, AND VISIBILITY TO STRENGTHEN THE LOCAL ECONOMY. IN 2024, WE GREW TO 400 MEMBERS AND ENGAGED OVER 11,000 CONTACTS THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS AND DIGITAL PRESENCE. OUR AMHERST AREA GIFT CARD PROGRAM SURPASSED $191,000 IN TOTAL SALES, WITH $40,000 REINVESTED INTO THE LOCAL ECONOMY IN 2024 ALONE, INCLUDING A $10,000 GIFT CARD MATCH DAY SPONSORED BY UMASSFIVE. THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AND PROGRAMMING, WE HOSTED 40+ EVENTS, WELCOMED 1,200+ ATTENDEES, AND FACILITATED KEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES SUCH AS THE AMHERST AREA EMPLOYERS INTERN FAIR, WHICH CONNECTED 40+ BUSINESSES WITH OVER 1,100 STUDENTS.THE CHAMBER ALSO PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN TOURISM AND REGIONAL MARKETING, HELPING DEVELOP THE 2025 WESTERN MASS VISITOR GUIDE AND THE PIONEER VALLEY DISCOVER MAPS WHILE COLLABORATING WITH BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE TO SHOWCASE AMHERST IN THEIR FALL 2024 ISSUE. WE LEVERAGED $15,000 IN DIRECT CONTRIBUTIONS AND FUNDRAISING TO SUPPORT LOCAL NONPROFITS, INCLUDING FOUR $1,000 SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO AMHERST AREA PUBLIC SCHOOL GRADUATES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COOLEY DICKINSON HOSPITAL. ADDITIONALLY, WE WORKED CLOSELY WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES THAT SUPPORT A STRONG AND RESILIENT BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT.LOOKING AHEAD, WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO ADVANCING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, FOSTERING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS, AND STRENGTHENING OUR CHAMBER'S STRATEGIC DIRECTION. OUR FOCUS IN 2025 WILL BE ON EXPANDING ADVOCACY EFFORTS, WORKFORCE INITIATIVES, AND SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES TO ENSURE A THRIVING AND INCLUSIVE ECONOMY. WITH A STRONG FOUNDATION, ENGAGED MEMBERSHIP, AND A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE AS A CATALYST FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS, A CHAMPION FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND A CONNECTOR OF PEOPLE, IDEAS, AND OPPORTUNITIES.