Halifax County is a unique and robust community, a well-blended mixture of businesses, including a strong industrial presence, a thriving technology field, a host of small businesses that continue to flourish and bloom, a healthy presence of large corporations, and a tenacious agricultural industry while still offering that “small hometown feel” that our citizens know and love. The Halifax County Chamber of Commerce is a constant force in fostering the growth and strengthening of our businesses and community while maintaining the hometown feeling that we call “Halifax.” The Chamber is a constant voice for over 350 members, consisting of all types of businesses that represent our growing county.
The Chamber firmly believes that its members are their most valuable asset and they work tirelessly to improve the climate for business, while promoting our great community to attract new residents, visitors and new employees while positioning our economy for business growth. “The Chamber sincerely values each of its members and the strengths and struggles that they bring to the organization. It is through this melting pot of large corporations, individual contractors and small businesses that the Chamber is able to address the needs and advocate for the business, through an influential voice that is dedicated to the quality of life and economic success of our community,” said Mitzi McCormick, Halifax County Chamber of Commerce President.
Through a variety of different methods, the Chamber educates its members on issues that affect their businesses, providing information to business leaders about how to grow and strengthen their business and fosters relationships between businesses while aiding in supporting employer’s human capital needs and enhancing community and economic development. They do this through hosting work sessions, educational forums, programs and events such as the HYPE (Halifax Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs) Program, Business After Hours Events, Leadership Halifax County and the Virginia Cantaloupe Festival, providing knowledge, information and networking opportunities that help our businesses to develop and grow.
The Chamber and its team of volunteer ambassadors serve as additional contacts who are always ready to provide an extra level of personal customer service,
meet new and current members, invite members to upcoming networking events and make introductions to connect members and create a mutually beneficial business relationship.
Through a comprehensive strategic plan, the Chamber is able to leverage strengths and collaboratively work within our community to continue to make Halifax County a wonderful place to live, work and do business. The 2019-2022 Strategic Plan focuses on serving the interests of its members while promoting the economic prosperity within our region. The priorities of the Strategic Plan are organizational value and sustainability, business development, advocacy, workforce alignment, and community and economic development.
Focusing on business development and advocacy, the Chamber is able to increase business visibility, provide relevant informational opportunities for businesses, creating an environment that encourages business growth. The Chamber is a continuing voice for advocacy, being a vital and constant representation to its members at a local level, as well as in the state and federal levels. The Chamber staff, board and volunteers work diligently to educate our lawmakers about issues that concern businesses in our county.
Developing a seamless education and workforce system that supports quality education and workforce development programs that ensure that parents, counselors, administrators and educators have the resources they need to aid students in career exploration is a major priority of the Chamber because they have the relationships needed to foster relationships between the school system, colleges and businesses to support economic growth and local workforce development.
The Chamber’s dedication to advocacy for Halifax County and the education of students led them to play a vital part in the Yes for Halifax Schools Education Referendum that proposed a one percent sales tax increase to be used for school construction in Halifax County.
It is through the hard work and dedication of the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce, its staff, board, ambassadors and numerous volunteers that Halifax County is the perfect blend of business, pleasure and community enrichment, providing each of us with such a great community to call “home.”
By Candace Baskervill, Owner, Sweet Cee’s Tees & Gifts
Chamber Member since 2017