What is the Chamber?

Business Development: We make sure that the Sanford area remains a vital place to start a business and prosper. Our members can come to us for help in opening their new businesses, relaunching an existing business or finding employees for a relocating business.

Advocacy: We are actively involved in activities that improve the quality of life in the area to insure growth of business and the economy. Our Congressional Action Committee keeps track of legislation on the board, voicing support and concern to both state and national representatives. The issues we track are wide and varied. Recently the tax receipts withheld and the options to reclaim some of those funds have been top on the list. We are concerned about education, employment, state spending and any other issue that effects business in Lee County.

Our relationship with local elected officials is also an important part of keeping Sanford thriving. Both City and County officials are ex-officio members of our Board and lead us in a very real way.

Promotion: We are the front door to the community. "The Chamber" is a nationally known brand. Whenever a new person or family comes to the area, we are often the first stop - whether in person, by phone or through the website, people know that the Chamber of Commerce will tell them what is happening in a town. This is particularly interesting with those being relocated – they want to know everything from schools, realtors, the arts, decorating, restaurants, shopping – you name it we get asked. (We’ve even had someone looking for a dog training school!)

Event Engine: We serve as a resource to the community. Our members and staff are involved in just about everything that is going on. Within this newsletter you will see many of these events. Cycle NC, Mug N Lunch, AutumnFest, Teacher of the Year, Dine Out for Quality Housing, Broadway Area Business Expo, Leedership Sanford, and our annual Golf Tournament are just a few things coming up in the next 60 days.

Tourism and Community Marketing: We promote Sanford to surrounding communities. This is particularly important as we work with sister Chambers in the Moore, Wake, Franklin and Lee Counties. This network of fine groups is a lean mean promotion machine!

Town Crier: Information goes to the intersection of the Chamber – our role is to make sure it gets to the appropriate people in the community. It might be something as clear as a new business or industry in town. It might be a new trend we are seeing. For instance someone must recognize Sanford as a growing market – we are seeing many new sales reps from Fayetteville and Raleigh in our offices asking for membership directories and maps. Some of them are even becoming members! Our job is let our membership know.

We are open to all businesses in the Sanford/Lee County area as well as individuals that are concerned about the business community. We encourage you all to come and join us in making Lee County all it can be.