Chamber Announces Formation of Small Business Council
The Council will meet regularly to discuss issues and opportunities that will benefit Chamber members and the community.
Brent Boles, managing partner of Schendel Lawn and Landscape and chair of the Chamber board, said the Chamber has about 1,031 members, and more than half of those have 10 or fewer employees.
"Through the years, the Chamber has always championed shopping local, but now with a Small Business Council in place, we anticipate that awareness of the pivotal role small businesses play in promoting economic prosperity and enhancing our quality of life will become even greater."
Lonnie Williams, owner of L&J Building Maintenance and a Chamber board member, will serve as chair of the Small Business Council.
"By establishing this council, we will have a group of dedicated individuals who will meet regularly to discuss issues and opportunities and provide input about things that are important to small businesses," he said.
Williams said the Chamber and the Small Business Council would work closely with the Topeka Independent Business Association too. He said the Chamber will pay TIBA dues for any TIBA member who wants to join the Chamber. Chamber members with fewer than five employees can also request a Chamber-provided TIBA membership.
Jennifer Kirmse, vice president of business development for Azura, said, "Azura Credit Union is honored to help collaborate, develop and sponsor this partnership between the Topeka Chamber, TIBA and local business owners. We appreciate the opportunity this council will provide for communication, innovation and collaboration with locally owned businesses. We are excited to see the positive impact it will have in our community and for locally owned businesses."
Azura Credit Union is the Small Business Council sponsor.
Click
to apply. Applicants must represent companies with 25 or fewer employees. Applications must be submitted to Ashley Charest, Chamber vice president of resource development, by
3 p.m.
on
Friday, Sept. 30
, to be considered. A nominating committee comprising local business leaders will review the applications and seat up to 30 people, who will serve two- and three-year term limits. If you have questions, please call Ashley at 234.2644 or send her an email at
.
