Almost everyone has heard about the chamber of commerce, and many towns across America have a chamber, but many people are challenged when trying to define or describe the chamber.

Let's begin with what the chamber is not. The chamber is not a government agency, or part of the city, county, state or federal government.

Although the Searcy chamber works closely with the city of Searcy to accomplish our community and chamber goals, the chamber is not a part of a municipal government.

Just like local chambers of commerce are not a part of local government, state chambers and the U.S. chamber are not a part of state and federal government. The U.S. chamber is not the governing or controlling body for state and local chambers either. Each chamber may be in control of how it regulates itself. Supporting, organizing and running each chamber of commerce may be decided by its community and board of directors.

The Searcy chamber is funded with dues income (memberships) and non-dues income such as products, programs and services. Programs are event-based activities such as the Searcy Leadership Institute, annual banquet, Eggs and Issues Breakfast, Economic Club luncheons, Business Expo, Chairman's Memorial Golf Tournament and Business After Hours. Products are physical entities such as the Community Guide, annual report, presentation folders and the chamber's website searcychamber.com.

Services are the vast range of activities including legislative advisories, grassroots networks, mass email services, ribbon cuttings and the Chamber Insurance Program.

It can also include contract services such as economic development services for the city of Searcy, made possible by the passage of Issue No. 3 in November.

If you have questions about the chamber or suggestions about what you want to see happen in Searcy, call our office at (501) 268-2458. 

Written by Hannah Hackworth, Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce Communications and Events Coordinator.