Building community essential to future

IF 2022 WASN’T CONFUSING ENOUGH WITH A bulging recession in the midst of a roaring recovery, then one might wonder how any business or organization can survive and thrive in 2023.

As we settle into this new year, the economic outlook couldn’t seem more dire: record inflation; rising interest rates; stock market declines; and massive layoffs. And let’s not forget all the other challenges businesses have been grappling with since the start of the pandemic, including workforce shortages and supply chain issues.

It’s not a rosy picture, especially for businesses that are still struggling. But the past three years have taught us that “pivot” is the name of the game during these uncertain times, that optimism and opportunity go hand in hand, and that resilience requires big changes to old processes and new investments in tools and technologies that create competitive advantages. As a mission-minded organization for a thriving economy and community, the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce is here for the challenge and stand ready to continue to support our business community.

Every year, we rally around three simple yet powerful themes — create connections, foster collaborations and build community — to advance the chamber mission. We then reflect on lessons learned as we consider ways to bring innovation to our programs and leverage technology to enhance our delivery.

To create connections, our monthly Arrive@5 networking events are currently attracting over 100 people who want to build personal relationships. Many of our solopreneurs and small business owners tell us that these events help them find practical solutions and resources to navigate through common challenges or overcome obstacles. By partnering with a different investor (member) each month who serves as the Arrive@5 host, we in turn introduce host businesses to new prospective customers. Also, our supporting sponsors stay connected and visible in the community.

Through our Link & Learn educational series, we are equipping businesses and individuals with hyper-local insights and expert advice on various topics that range from how to improve operations to how to attract new business or capitalize on a trend or opportunity. An important distinction is that our experts are local and they bring a level of understanding and relevance to the discussion that provides for a more engaged, interactive, and fully involved experience for attendees. The best part is that the tips, tricks, templates, and tools that a participant might get from a Link & Learn event are all absolutely free and open to the community at large, not just investors of the chamber.

One example of how the chamber is fostering collaborations is through its Vibrancy Project — a 20-month long initiative that was launched last May by the chamber’s Economic Development Committee and will continue through the end of 2023. Led by a diverse group of key stakeholders, local leaders, and volunteers, the project is designed to achieve two primary goals: (1) help revitalize Northampton’s downtown business community and surrounding commercial areas,

AT THE BEGINNING OF 2020, the city of Greenfield was poised for a rebirth and revitalization of its business, manufacturing and commercial environment. New restaurants were opening and thriving in our compact, walkable downtown area along with recently established entertainment venues, providing art, music and stage performances.

Our industrial park, although completely built out, is home to many businesses and advanced manufacturers, most with deep roots and long-term stability in Greenfield, providing hundreds of jobs. We embraced and were ready to let the world know of our “rurban” city at the crossroads of Route 2 and Interstate 91, situated as we are among the hills and rivers of beautiful Franklin County.

Greenfield offers the best of a rural-plus-urban lifestyle for residents and visitors, with its hospital, Baystate Franklin and medical centers; downtown YMCA complex; its community college, Greenfield Community College; and its transportation center, the John Olver Transit Center providing bus service to area residents along with daily Amtrak rail service to New York City and Montreal.