Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce Annual Report 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER

Dear Membership,

“Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” ― Nelson Mandela

First and foremost, I want to send my best thoughts to you and your families during these challenging times. The Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce believes that our organization is more meaningful now than ever. Over the course of the past year, we’ve been putting together campaigns to help support our Business Community, providing resources and making referrals for our member companies. We’re also communicating accurate, dependable information and advocating with our local, county, state and federal officials to help both small business owners and their employees as they navigate these tough times.

The Chamber continues to maintain our:

Provide quality and timely programs and initiatives to benefit our members Advocate for the local re-opening of our business community here in Hunterdon County Maintain our COVID 19 Business Resource Page & information updates The Chamber staff and our Board are here to help you grow your business, network among other member businesses, and to help you navigate the issues that may keep your business from realizing its full potential.

We know that many of our members are being greatly impacted at this time. Please know we are here for you. We are here to help and support you in every way possible.

Even with this current difficulty, we are more committed than ever to making Hunterdon County a vibrant and thriving place to live. Some of our hopes and dreams are on hold, but they have not disappeared. Your investments in the Chamber helps to build a healthier, more prosperous tomorrow.

With best regards,

Christopher J. Phelan President & CEO

Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce - 2020 Annual Report

LETTER FROM THE CHAMBER BOARD CHAIRMAN

Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce Members,

It is my honor and privilege to serve as Chair of the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce. Since 1916, our Board of Directors have always been a group of committed leaders. The Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce board represents a broad spectrum from corporate to small businesses, educational and non-profit associations, and companies in between.

Our board has evolved to help shape and direct business and commercial policy throughout Hunterdon County. The board is an active engaged group whose members serve actively as committee leads and help drive, not only the strategy, but the ongoing activities of respective Chamber committees.

Few, if any, of the Chamber’s accomplishments over its 105-year history could not have been documented and told if it were not for our volunteer leaders who dedicate their time, energy and financial commitment to help fellow business owners and operators. Fortunately, there are always a few who dedicate themselves to the greater outcome. To those historic leaders and our contemporary colleagues, we are indebted.

In 2020 the Chamber continued to work towards the collective good of the Business Community, representing our interests and championing issues that improve the economic viability of our region. While faced with the unforeseen pandemic, we had to quickly change and adapt to the way we conduct our business. I would like to say we did a great job and continue to conduct business to business outreach.

The Board is committed to providing leadership around critical issues that impact the business community, such as adverse business legislation or to support redevelopment projects like the Courthouse Square.

On behalf of the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce Board, I would like to thank all the volunteers who tirelessly give of themselves to keep this Chamber moving forward. The collective contributions on our various committees and initiatives have a long-lasting impact on our Business Community. I would also like to thank the members who have supported the Chamber in various ways and continue to help the organization grow and provide an evolving body of work that benefits Hunterdon County. The work of the Chamber would not be possible without the support of its devoted members.

We look forward to 2021 as a year to further engage the Business Community and continue to move our organization to new heights while staying safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey L. Weinstein Board Chair Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce

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S t r e n g t h e n i n g t h e E c o n o m y o f H u n t e r d o n C o u n t y

A healthy economy is at the heart of our success as a region. The chamber works closely with the Hunterdon County office of economic development which is now housed in the large house. the chamber is active in organizations that work to promote a healthy business climate in the state and the region.

Advancing Hunterdon

A major commitment of the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber's Economic Development/Advancing Hunterdon Committee drives the policy and strategy for the Chamber’s business development activities throughout the County. The committee collaborates with state, county and municipal governments, educational and regional leaders to build ongoing, lasting alliances and partnerships with common goals for enhancing the region’s growth and prosperity.

Pandemic Response

At the very outset of the Pandemic, the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce responded by doing what we do best and that is to connect our members and the wider business community to the resources and information they needed.

The Chamber, in partnership with the Hunterdon County Office of Economic Development, began sharing information e-blasts to the business community keeping them informed of critical information from state, county and regional entities on issues that were impacting their organizations. Throughout the past year, we have continued to provide these resources, sometimes several times a week on resources and programs that would help with the economic challenges.

In addition, a COVID 19 Business Resource page was established on the Chamber's website and, again partnering with the Office of Economic Development, business news and resources are there for all to avail find the necessary information.

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S t r e n g t h e n i n g t h e E c o n o m y o f H u n t e r d o n C o u n t y

A healthy economy is at the heart of our success as a region. The chamber works closely with the Hunterdon County office of economic development which is now housed in the large house. the chamber is active in organizations that work to promote a healthy business climate in the state and the region.

Economic Recovery Task Force

In the fall of 2020, the Chamber formed the Hunterdon Economic Recovery Task Force which was charged to look at long term ways in which the Chamber and the business community would respond to the ongoing economic challenges. Chamber leadership knew that the recession and the numerous issues that had come to light during the pandemic would continue to impact our local economy well into 2021.

This group took stock of the current state of the business community through numerous surveys to the business community and communications with businesses and non-profit organizations.

In addition, the Chamber began to host regular meetings with local business organizations in the County including; the High Bridge Business Association, the Clinton Guild, the Lambertville Chamber of Commerce, the Flemington Community Partnership, the Frenchtown Business and Professional Association, the Milford Merchants Association and the Hunterdon County Office of Economic Development.

The meetings provided valuable insight into our local communities and ways to bring additional resources to many businesses throughout the County. The collaboration between the organizations was a great benefit to address issues that were happening in real time and provide various resources for businesses and organizations to respond. This ran the range from COVID 19 restrictions, best practices for re-opening, business and work place safety and much more.

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Economic Recovery Fund

A major commitment was to look at ways in which funds might be raised to create a Hunterdon Economic Recovery Fund. The goal of this fund is to provide direct assistance to businesses and organizations that are in need of financial help.

The fund became a collaborative effort of the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce Foundation and our local business associations. By the end of 2020, the Fund had raised roughly $10,000.00 to directly help and to help support programs that would provide technical assistance to businesses through the Unity Bank Center for Business & Entrepreneurship.

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The Business and Government Committee is one of the largest and most active at the Chamber. The goal of the committee is to track, analyze and communicate laws in committee or in process that have a (positive or negative) impact on New Jersey business. Notices, articles, letters to legislators, press releases and educational programming are typical responses to this review process. Responsible business advocacy is its objective.

This year, the committee was focused on legislations and regulations as a direct result of the COVID 19 Pandemic. The Committee was focused on advocating for a safe way to regionalize the re-opening for Hunterdon County. The diverse membership of this Committee brings its perspective to the table to represent actions specific to Hunterdon County’s business and commercial concerns and desired direction.

S p e a k i n g U p f o r B u s i n e s s

The hunterdon county chamber of commerce is proud to provide advocacy on behalf of our members at the local, state and federal levels. whether assisting a small local business navigate regulatory agencies or providing support for a large scale redevelopment project , the chamber is there to be the voice of business.

Business & Government Committee

COVID Business Briefings

In response to the pandemic, we hosted programs for our members, some of which were partnerships with our neighboring Chamber like the Somerset County Business Partnership. One town hall program was with Congressman Malinowski which is an example of how we provide valuable businesscentric information and updated legislation. Moreover, they provide a format where participants can ask individual, business-specific questions and establish contact with policy and law makers.

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The VOICE of Business

Throughout all of 2020 the Chamber continued to be an Advocate through our relationship with many Statewide Organizations like the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce and the New Jersey Business & Industry Association.

The Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce actively participated in the New Jersey Chamber Alliance and the New Jersey Business Coalition. The groups took positions on many issues that continue to impact the Business Community here in Hunterdon County.

Advocacy on allowing the Business Community to Re-Open based on regional data, all driven by public health & safety Limit the Liability exposure for businesses and organizations as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic Advocate for great access to Capital for Business relief and to power and Economic Recovery

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