Claiborne County Chamber of Commerce
Member Benefits
The Chamber provides many services to our members that individually would be worth more than the cost of membership dues.
Collectively, these services provide tremendous value to small and large businesses alike. Chamber members think of their dues as an investment in improving the local economy and quality of life in the community, which ultimately benefits all local business through steady economic growth and demand for their products and services.
Information Resources
Direct Referrals The Chamber will refer your business products and services from inquiries from tourists, new residents, and others that seek assistance.
Central Point of Contact City and county government, other civic organizations, churches, schools, and other agencies use the Chamber as a communication resource and is recognized as an advocate of the business community and facilitator of community projects through various committees and the Leadership Claiborne program.
Business brochures and media distribution and area business marketing materials are handed out to visitors, new residents, and others who stop by the Chamber office on a daily basis. The brochures are also included in new resident welcome kits.
Annual Resource Guide Chamber members are listed in the Annual Claiborne County Resource Guide.
Business Retention
The Chamber realizes the majority of job growth comes from our existing businesses. The Chamber visits different companies to learn more about the business, the opportunities and challenges facing the company, and to establish relationships between community businesses and economic developers.
This program provides sound business assistance while connecting companies with a variety of financial, technological, planning, marketing and job training resources. Local information is available at the Chamber includes relocation data, available land and building database, local incentives and lists of local businesses.
FastTrack Job Training Assistance is available for new and existing businesses and industry as an incentive by the State of Tennessee when associated with new investment for facilities, equipment and new job hires. Training can be:
* Pre-employment and post-employment
* Classroom and on-the-job
FastTrack Infrastructure Development Program funds may be used for private sector committed projects that will locate or expand in the state and to create or retain jobs for Tennesseans. Eligible activities are:
* Water systems
* Wastewater systems
* Transportation systems
* Site improvements
Industrial Recruitment
The Chamber jointly works with the Industrial Development Board and has established an industrial/commercial property database to assist in recruitment of new business in the county.
State and Federal Lobbying Effort: Chamber leaders have traveled to Washington and Nashville to communicate to elected officials the economic needs of Claiborne County and to attract funding for economic development. These efforts are ongoing to ensure Claiborne County projects are part of the economic development budgets in every way possible.
Regional Recruitment Effort: With an active role in the Clinch-Powell Enterprise Community, a five-county economic development initiative that has brought millions of dollars in project funding into the area, the Chamber works to ensure the county’s needs are included as a portion of regional projects. Also, the Chamber participates in the East Tennessee Economic Development Agency.
Nationwide Recruitment Effort: Chamber leadership has also traveled to Canada, California and other places to attend industrial trade shows, conventions, and places where industry is looking for future locations to relocate from attendees. The goal is to make Claiborne County visible to prospective industry and eventually attract a percentage of them to the area.
State and Federal Grant and Loan Assistance Through partnership with SCORE, The Tennessee SBA Office, The Dept. of Economic and Community Development and other agencies, the Chamber may be able to assist with various small business loan and grant applications, and provide assistance in where to find more information.
Workforce Development and Training The Chamber can provide information on various workforce training programs and development programs that exist within the county and East Tennessee area.
Business Marketing & Advertising The Chamber provides a new member ad in the Claiborne Progress with special recognition and a business profile. Also, all members are welcome to advertise in Chamber publications at discounted rates and as part of the referral process actually get exposure through mentions in press releases, direct referrals, and website content.
Website Membership Directory All Chamber members are listed in the member database in product or service category so prospective customers and clients can find your business quickly.
Grand Opening ceremonies: The chamber can provide assistance in organizing a new business grand opening and coordinate press releases and other publicity.
Three Star Program Retention The state Three-Star certification for the county is crucial to Claiborne County receiving grant and funding preference at the state level including an extra point in CDBG competition , and has many more benefits that positively impact the area. More information can be found at the Tennessee state website. The Chamber is principally involved in ensuring Claiborne County remains a Three-Star community by completing projects that fulfill the state criteria and filing the necessary paperwork during the annual re-certification period.
