2012 Chamber Priorities

1. Promote the value and benefits of membership in the Latrobe Area Chamber of Commerce and invite all area businesses, professionals, and organizations to participate.
• Encourage member firms (and prospective members) to take advantage of all of the benefits that the Chamber offers (including health insurance programs, business insurance, energy purchasing pools, and other benefits offered through ChamberChoice) for member firms and their employees.
• Continually remind current members about Chamber membership benefits through the Chamber newsletter, E-newsletter, website, and other communications tools.
• Recruit area businesses that are not currently members to join with current members to support community development and a healthy economic climate through Chamber membership (and possible volunteer service).
• Enlist current members to assist in this important and ongoing effort by participating in the GREAT CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP CHALLENGE of 2012.
2. Identify and address the area’s workforce needs through the Latrobe Area Industrial Consortium.
• Manufacturing not only creates employment opportunities within its own sector, but supports the development and growth of employment in all other corners of the economy. We want to assist local employers in their quest to preserve current employment levels and create new opportunities for job growth by encouraging students to become aware of the skills required for employment, and overcoming other challenges to economic success.
3. Foster business growth and development in our local communities.
• Work with, and refer entrepreneurs to, agencies that provide appropriate assistance, including: Saint Vincent Small Business Development Center, Center for Global Competitiveness and Kennametal Center for Operational Excellence; the Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland; Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation; Seton Hill University’s E-Magnify; Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board; Westmoreland SCORE; Team PA CareerLink; Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette; and other community partners.
• Connect existing and prospective businesses with local government agencies (planning & zoning commissions, tax offices, utilities, etc.) to enhance growth and development in our local communities.
• Identify and recruit potential new businesses to the area.
4. Advocate legislation and regulations favorable to an improved business climate, job creation & retention.
• Seek ways to significantly improve Pennsylvania’s business climate to attract new – and retain existing – business enterprises in our area and throughout the Commonwealth.
• Review and recommend appropriate action to our State and Federal lawmakers on legislative issues that have an economic impact on our members and area citizens.
• Monitor governmental regulatory agencies and oppose implementation of regulations that may have a detrimental impact on businesses and industries and the jobs they support.
• Maintain an open dialogue between the business community and elected officials at all government levels.
5. Promote the Latrobe Area as a great place to visit, to live and work.
• Work with the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, local government officials and community volunteers and organizations to continually improve our area ‘neighborhoods’.
6. Encourage communication and dialogue among key community representatives.
• Identify and invite appropriate business and community leaders to meet and discuss matters of mutual interest and importance.
• Invite local government leaders to the table to identify common concerns and work with them in finding solutions.
7. Advocate improvement of the entire area transportation infrastructure.
• Work with PennDOT and other government officials to improve our existing infrastructure and recommend other local transportation changes/improvement projects.
• Pursue upgrades to PA Route 981 and construction of the “Laurel Valley Connector” project (for improved access to the PA Turnpike).
• Work to support the Westmoreland County Airport Authority’s efforts to improve air service for both business and recreational travel at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport.
• Assist in improving access of area residents to local businesses through the county’s public transit system and other available means.
8. Generate greater awareness of the Chamber to members, prospective members, and area residents.
• Promote improved awareness of what Chamber committees and volunteers are doing through newsletters, the local media, our website, and other appropriate methods.
• Conduct the annual “ChamberFest” member-to-member expo, Membership Mixers, Neighborhood Newsmaker breakfasts; golf outings, seminars, workshops and other appropriate programs to promote networking and awareness of member businesses (and their products and services) to other area businesses and community residents.
• Improve our communications vehicles - monthly newsletter, e-newsletter, website, news releases, Chamber radio program (“Good Morning Latrobe Area!”), monthly page in the Latrobe Bulletin, social networking sites - to increase awareness of our positive achievements and activities that benefit our members and our community.
9. Encourage a better understanding of our free enterprise system and our local economy among area students.
• Conduct economic and business education programs for students in our area schools that promote an understanding of our local economy, the concept of the free enterprise system, and how globalization impacts their lives.
• Recruit volunteers to meet with students to reinforce the awareness that the decisions they make today can impact their plans for future success, and provide information to students about career options.
• Work with school officials to offer the assistance of the area business community to help wherever possible to strengthen curriculum.
• Promote awareness of the Latrobe Area Chamber of Commerce Educational Foundation as a vehicle to support our Chamber’s education programs through tax-deductible monetary contributions.
10. Assure that new, energetic and enthusiastic leadership is in place and prepared to lead our community’s organizations, agencies, and governments successfully into the future.
• Recruit area men and women with an interest in community service to participate in the Leadership Westmoreland community leadership program.
• Promote awareness of the Leadership Westmoreland program to the general public, and increase its viability as a countywide resource.