Cindy Poindexter, the president of the Chatham Chamber of Commerce, is readying for the organization’s “State of Chatham” event, set for next Wednesday at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center in Pittsboro. We spoke with Poindexter to get an update about goings-on at the Chamber.
Mary Bowman, a Chatham resident for more than 14 years, joined the Chatham Chamber team in August as an administrative assistant. She will work in the Chamber’s Pittsboro office inside the Welcome Center at 37 Hillsboro St.
A diverse group of business leaders and community members is expected to attend our Oct. 12 State of Chatham event, likely to become an annual gathering and featuring a comprehensive presentation of the latest data analyzing the well-being of Chatham County across social, economic, and environmental indicators.
Aaron Nelson, member of Community Data Partners and the president of The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro will present the data. We will meet from 8:30 to 11 a.m., beginning with a full breakfast catered by 39 West Catering, at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center. Registration is open at https://www.ccucc.net/event-registration.
We also have other events planned. On Nov. 12, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Chamber will host its 2nd annual Children’s Business Fair at Mosaic at Chatham Park, where children will showcase their businesses and sell their products. I feel sure that the children will amaze attendees again this year with their drive and innovation. At the 2021 event, there were 17 participants, and we are planning for 20 to 25 this year. Cash prizes are awarded based on the most original, highest potential, and best presentation.
The Chamber will host its annual meeting and awards at the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center on Nov. 15. Awards categories include Small Business of the Year, Distinguished Business Person, Young Professional, Chamber Ambassador, Chamber Board member for Exemplary Leadership, and Citizenship & Service.
Beginning in early 2023, the Chamber is looking forward to the second year of Chatham SPARK, a partnership with the Central Carolina Community College’s Small Business Center and Mountaire Farms. Chatham SPARK is an entrepreneurial program geared toward new businesses. By the end of the program, participants will have gained valuable knowledge in many facets of business and will be trained to write an effective business plan.
The 129 golfers, both Chamber members and non-members, enjoyed the day. The weather could not have been any better!
There were 129 golfers at the Chamber’s 34th annual tournament at Governors Club. Breakfast and lunch were provided, and volunteers on golf carts delivered snacks and beverages throughout the day. The top three teams were Edward Jones – Lee Shanklin team (1st place), Luck Stone (2nd place) and Custom Building by TNT (3rd place). Contest winners were Denny Marcin, Zach Cartrette, Lee Shanklin and Larry Estep. Scott Maitland, on the Cambridge Hills team, won $550 from a 50/50 raffle.
The Chamber was happy to hear good feedback and “thanks” from golfers after the tournament and is grateful to the following sponsors: Fidelity Bank - Presenting Sponsor; Welford Harris Ford - Hole-in-One Sponsor; Life 103.1 WLHC-FM - Media; Carolina Commercial Contractors, Carolina Farm Credit, First Carolina Care Insurance, Mountaire Farms, Myrick Construction, New American Funding, and Sanford Contractors - Gold Sponsors; and Galloway Ridge and Mosaic at Chatham Park - Silver Sponsors.
Chamber staff met with Wolfspeed this past week and plans to meet with VinFast soon. The meeting with Wolfspeed was productive and facilitated a partnership with the Chamber.
The Chamber is here to offer support to businesses, build relationships, bridge connections, and to be a good partner. We are excited about the opportunities and boost to the economy that Wolfspeed and VinFast will bring to Chatham and look forward to collaborating and extending support. It is exhilarating to live and work in a county that has so much potential. We look forward to the job opportunities that will come with VinFast and Wolfspeed and are thankful that these two plants chose Chatham!
Attend Chamber events and join the Chamber if you are not already a member. There are many opportunities for Chamber members: networking, connections, marketing, increasing your knowledge through lunch & learns and public policy meetings, leadership development, advocacy, saving you money, and business credibility. Contact the Chamber for more information.