Chair's Column
Resolve to support community, Chamber in new year

By Dave Fleck
2008-09 Chair of the Board

Dave Fleck 2008-09 Chair of the Board

Happy New Year!

While it's a few days past the first of the year, and many people may have already broken their New Year's resolutions, I thought I'd pass on a few thoughts (or resolutions) we could all employ in the coming year to make our businesses and our community an even better place to live, work and raise a family.

Utilize your Chamber membership. This is a no-brainer — the Chamber is one of the best resources your business can put to work on your behalf.

In 2009, vow to take advantage of the Chamber's benefits. Be informed by reading any of the Chamber's printed or electronic publications that are designed to give you news to help your business. With the start of the legislative session, our Legislative Lookout electronic publication returns to give you information about what's happening at the State Capitol and tracks bills that affect business.

This month, the Chamber's Business Sense Workshops kick-off and will be held every Tuesday through March. If you can't attend, send an employee or two. Want to volunteer? The Chamber has numerous committees and events that need the support of your time. Contact the Chamber staff to find out how you can promote your business through the Chamber or how you can get involved.

Support your community. Financially, many organizations and non-profit agencies need our assistance for their survival. It's not just about giving to charities, however. We need to support our local businesses, which includes buying locally from Chamber members. It also means supporting programs and events that happen in our community.

Later this month, the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will hold the 56th Annual Sioux Empire Farm Show. This event recognizes the contributions made by livestock producers from the region and across the country. Best of all, the shows, exhibits and sales are all free. Businesses and individuals who want to financially support area livestock producers should attend the Mayor's Round-up & Sale of Champions. This fun event caps off the market livestock portion of the farm show and the financial incentives from the area business community encourages producers to come back to the show in future years. For more about Farm Show activities, read more in this issue.

Continue doing business as though things will get better — because they will. Recently, CNN/CareerBuilder.com acknowledged Sioux Falls as having the lowest unemployment rate in the country. While we are not entirely immune from national negative trends, we have it better than most. We continue to create new jobs and our economy is diverse enough to weather the current economic times.

Remember why you live and work in the Sioux Falls area. Our quality of life is one of the best in the country — and has been recognized as such numerous times. We need to keep up our collective spirit of optimism, continue to work together and support each other.

As always, we appreciate your continued investment in the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. Happy New Year!