There is strength in numbers.

For years it was a fact that the Chambers of Commerce here in the Roanoke-Chowan area would rather act independently than to seek each others advice or to share knowledge of how a particular program was beneficial to their respective memberships.

Due to our rural nature, we’re not fortunate enough to have new businesses knocking at our door every day. We have to market ourselves in a different way and we rely strongly on our local Chambers to lead that recruiting effort.

But what if the leadership of those Chambers refuse to work with their peers in other counties or towns. What kind of impression does that leave a prospective new business owner looking to locate to our part of the state. It would appear that we are selfish and self-centered.

Thank goodness for a new wave of local Chamber officials. Not only have they brought innovative ideas to the table, they have also forged a much welcomed working relationship with their local counterparts.

Case in point was last week’s joint “Business After Hours” co-hosted by the Ahoskie and Murfreesboro Chambers of Commerce at Beechwood Country Club. While it’s obvious that many of the business owners in these two towns know each other, how often are they afforded an opportunity to socialize within a setting where ideas can be shared.

That’s exactly what unfolded last week…it was a win-win for the two Chambers with their interaction and for the local businesses represented at that function.

If you are not currently a member of a Chamber of Commerce, we would encourage business owners to consider joining. The return will be well worth the investment, not only in a monetary sense, but from a networking aspect as well, one now even broader in nature thanks to our local Chambers working together.

– The Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald