INSPIRED GROWTH OF THE JARRELL BUSINESS COMMUNITY

GREAT COMMUNITIES DON’T HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT

As a prominent Williamson County business leader who joined the Jarrell Chamber of Commerce in 2022, Tammy Young was all too happy to be the chamber’s chair for 2023. Her experience and drive to be intentional about Jarrell’s growth is no doubt part of what will help nurture new development in the Jarrell area. Having moved to the Austin area in 2000, she pinpoints her election to the Round Rock City Council in 2017 as a singular experience that changed her perspective on business and community relations. “Being on council completely redirected my passion into community and what goes into a good one. It allowed me to be fully engaged in the process and understand how each of us has an opportunity to impact our own city.”

Her philosophy includes taking in the "flavor" or "vibe" of a city and how it relates to the businesses there. She says, “Without a business community or without the right businesses, it’s hard to say what a city represents.”

HAVING A VIBRANT BUSINESS SECTOR, WITH A DIVERSE RETAIL AND SERVICE BASE THAT IS FAMILY-FRIENDLY, SUSTAINABLE, AND HELPFUL TO RESIDENTS AND VISITORS IS KEY.

Stepping Into The Future

Chamber members are taking advantage of the idea that, in Williamson County, Jarrell is part of the final frontier, and current business owners can be part of determining how the community will look in the years to come. The board recently completed a strategic planning process that looks at where Jarrell is today and what the chamber can do to be a step ahead and attract the kinds of businesses that will be best for the city. Tammy says, “We can educate ourselves and be intentional about growth or we can let it happen accidentally. Experience has taught me that accidental growth is never optimal.”

To encourage optimum growth, the chamber has developed partnerships with the EDC, Jarrell ISD, Sonterra and other MUDS, and city leadership. She says, “Jarrell is like many Williamson County communities experiencing high growth. So, we are developing programs targeted to different sectors of the business community but in such a way that they will appeal to everyone in our membership.”

Traci Anderson, chair-elect of the chamber and current president of the Jarrell EDC, is eagerly anticipating her new role in leading a pro-growth board that is dedicated to advocating for local businesses. The chamber's newly adopted tagline, "The Voice of Businesses in Jarrell," reflects her commitment to being a vocal and active presence in the community and her experience with both organizations will be a bridge that ensures businesses have ample opportunities to thrive. She says, “The chamber's efforts to establish a strong foundation now will enable us to take advantage of future growth opportunities and attract talented staff members.”

Raising The Bar

The new chamber board also held the first Ambassador Committee meeting, led by Tiffany Oliver, who led discussions about the interdependence of the 76537 community and neighboring areas in Williamson County. She says, “I expect to see great things because we are not only memorializing and reminiscing about where Jarrell came from, we are highlighting where we’re going and what we want to be.”

Tiffany has also found new ways to integrate social media into chamber campaigns, operations, and events. She says, “Social media is ubiquitous and the way many of us communicate. During COVID we had to learn how to co-exist in a digital world. We’re coming out of that, but we’ve adapted our online communication into the way we do business today—staying connected to people we wouldn’t be able to reach out to, regularly, in more traditional ways.”

She is also stepping up a notch for ribbon cuttings—posting them live on Facebook—and her efforts are paying off with volumes of positive feedback. As we spoke, she was on her way to Florence to entertain business owners eager to join the Jarrell

Chamber and replicate the success Jarrell is having. “We are trying to renew the vivaciousness that Williamson County is all about. Communities that are closed off will not be successful and there’s no reason for us not to help each other grow.”

Get Involved

The chamber is hosting its annual fundraiser gala, which is open to the public. Tammy adds, “Everyone is invited to be part of the energy and momentum. It is a great way to learn about how local government works, what an EDC does, and what tools are available to all of us to build a great community.” Traci says, “The annual gala will provide members with a glimpse into the chamber's plans and demonstrate that their dues are being well stewarded. With new businesses and entrepreneurs flocking to the area, it's an exciting time for the Jarrell Chamber of Commerce to cement its role as a vital player in the local economy.”

Scan the code to learn more about and join the chamber, and check for updates about the gala, April 22 at the Schwertner Event Center.