Greater Lexington Chamber

Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center advocates for local businesses

Chamber membership ensures higher visibility, better growth potential

There is one organization in Lexington that has been growing businesses for more than 60 years. The Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center, a four-star accredited Chamber, helps businesses of all sizes experience cost-savings, association with a worldwide brand and a voice in the community. More than 800 area businesses enjoy the benefits, advocacy and education they receive with their investment in the Chamber.

The Chamber’s Reopen Responsibly Pledge is designed to boost business and reassure consumers during the COVID-19 crisis. Consumers know that they can safely patronize Lexington businesses pledging to reopen while maintaining strict adherence to CDC health and safety guidelines, such as sanitizing, mask wearing and social distancing. The Chamber is posting information in shop windows and providing an online resource for those who seek to shop with peace of mind.

Businesses appreciate events and programs each year that affect the local community, including the annual dinner on the Lake Murray Dam that attracts prospective businesses to the community and the need-based Doris Burkett Scholarships awarded to one student from each of the five area high schools.

Investment in the Chamber provides a direct conduit to public officials, including Gov. Henry McMaster and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, an opportunity generally not available to small businesses. The Chamber is in regular communication with local elected officials, relaying businesses’ concerns about a variety of issues. Recent discussions over inconsistent signage enforcement persuaded officials to reevaluate enforcement of the signage ordinance. The Chamber also suggested the Town create a $1 million fund to keep businesses afloat while they await federal aid.

“Businesses are the only group that creates jobs and provides the mechanisms through taxation and contribution for government, nonprofits and educational institutions to adhere to their mission of serving the public,” said Chamber President & CEO Otis Rawl. “When businesses are thriving, our whole socioeconomic wellbeing is enhanced.”

Associating with the Chamber, one of the world’s most recognized brands, offers tangible benefits. A 2012 study found that consumers are 89% more likely to buy from businesses that are part of the Chamber. Shareholders provide discounts to each other and Chamber partnerships provide cost reductions on health insurance, office supplies and much more.

New leadership committed to small business success comes to the Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center as of August in the form of new President and CEO Angelle LaBorde, who replaces the retiring Otis Rawl. A nationally recognized Certified Chamber Executive, LaBorde has provided more than a decade of service and leadership to the Greenwood, S.C., business community and has a quarter century of experience in the Chamber of Commerce industry and nonprofit sector.

Join the Chamber today at lexingtonsc.org to make your business’ voice heard.

The annual Dinner on the Dam at Lake Murray is a popular Chamber event.

Lexington Chamber officials announce the Reopen Responsibly Pledge.