EASLEY — The Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce recently announced a surge in membership and the rollout of new initiatives designed to support and educate the local business community.
In the past few months alone, 50 new businesses have joined the chamber, reflecting a growing confidence in the economic outlook of the greater Easley area, officials said.
“We’re seeing momentum across every business sector,” said Brian Swords, president of the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce. “Adding 50 members in a quarter underscores the value companies place on networking, advocacy and professional development within our region.”
To build on this momentum, the chamber has introduced two new flagship programs: Manufacturers Alliance and The Chamber Academy.
Manufacturers Alliance is a collaborative platform for local manufacturers to share best practices, access specialized training and advocate collectively on issues impacting the production sector.
The Chamber Academy is a dedicated educational arm offering workshops, certification programs and guest lectures on topics ranging from digital marketing to financial management — open to all chamber members at no additional cost.
Recognizing that evening time slots often work better for small-business operators balancing tight daytime schedules, the chamber has also reinstated its popular Business After Hours networking events. These gatherings provide an informal setting for businesses to connect one-on-one, showcase their offerings and spark new partnerships.
“Bringing back Business After Hours has been a top request from members,” said Swords. “It levels the playing field for smaller enterprises that can’t step away from the office during daytime hours.”
Another area where the chamber is seeing tremendous engagement is in their Young Professionals (under 40) group.
“Our YP Committee has put in a lot of work to engage this sector and we’re seeing great results and a lot of excitement,” said Swords.
The chamber has also added a part-time director of membership and engagement, which has helped ignite a surge in participation in chamber events.
“We’re seeing participation increase in almost all of our events,” said Swords. “This position has helped us connect with our new members and reconnect with many of our existing members.”
Beginning in late July, the chamber will be reintroducing their orientation program, Chamber 101, where new members can meet with the staff and learn more about the resources available.