Rotary receives Chamber update
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ELKINS -- Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lisa Wood addressed the Rotary Club of Elkins, giving the group an update on the Chamber's upcoming events for 2024. The Chamber has a number of recurring events, along with many new ones planned.
"The mission of the Chamber is to advocate, educate and network on behalf of the business community," Wood said. "I'm hoping that the calendar of events for 2024 represents exactly that."
There are approximately 800 businesses in Randolph County that would be appropriate Chamber members. Prior to 2020, about 200 businesses were members of the chamber but, since COVID, that number has dropped a bit.
"We want all of the businesses in the county to be a part of what we do. We have many new, wonderful entrepreneurs in Elkins, on the five-lane, and in various parts of the county. I want them to be a part of the Chamber, because, simply, we're better together. And, together, we can move this community forward," added Wood.
"Elkins-Randolph Together: A Community Conversation" is a new program undertaken by the Chamber this year. This bi-monthly program was created in collaboration with the Randolph County Development Authority and Elkins Main Street.
Various meetings will be held throughout the year, at different times of day, focusing on issues of concern to the community. The first meeting took place in January, with an emphasis on housing.
On March 13, a session focusing on entrepreneurship will be held at the newly renovated Tygart Hotel at 5 p.m. Later sessions will center on transportation, education, local workforce issues, and a final 2024 session reinvigorating the initiative based on Quint Studer's 2020 community presentation of "A Vibrant Community" to be held in November. All members of the community are welcome and encouraged to attend.
The Chamber is excited about the many new businesses that have begun in downtown Elkins and around the county -- retail and restaurants, with many new businesses opening soon.
Leadership Randolph, hosted by the Chamber, has entered its second year with a class of 15 local professionals.
"It's going well and has been a tremendous success," commented Wood.
Sessions for Leadership Randolph have focused on healthcare, education, economic diversity and government, just to name a few topics. The 2023-2024 class will conclude with a final session and graduation celebration on May 16. The 2024-2025 class will begin sessions in September.
The Chamber's Annual Awards Dinner will be held on Wednesday, March 6. Marshall University President Brad Smith and First Lady Alys Smith will be guest speakers. The topic for the evening will be "The Story of Ascend West Virginia," a group that works to bring young professionals to West Virginia.
"Elkins is the fifth of six communities selected for the program," added Wood. "There are 15 or 16 Ascenders here already with more coming in the future. We are all so proud to be an Ascend community."
On April 10, the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce, the Buckhannon-Upshur County Chamber of Commerce, and the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce are partnering to bring "State of the Corridor" to the community.
Each of the three counties will be represented by their county commission president, their county seat mayor, and their Development Authority director. This luncheon event will take place at the Brushy Fork Convention Center.
A new event being presented by the Chamber is "Dancing with the Stars." This event will feature four couples competing for funds for the charity of their choice. Couples competing include Katie Driver and Scott Goddard; Sharell Woodward and Zach Watson; Mindy Chua and Travis Bennett; and Heidi Bray and Cody Kerns. This event is being held on April 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Gandy Dancer Theatre.
Additional educational programs will include a website design session, a Canva training session, a job fair in May with the Randolph County Development Authority, a number of non-profit board member training sessions, a celebration of Citizens Bank of West Virginia's 100th anniversary, the annual Legislative Luncheon and the Elkins Christmas Parade on the first Friday of December.
"There's a lot happening in the community and there's a lot happening with the Chamber. I am proud to be a part of it, and, for all who sponsor programs and events, attend those events, and volunteer to make those events happen - thank you. That is what allows us to do what we do," concluded Wood.
More information about the Chamber including how to become a member, how to purchase tickets for the annual awards dinner and a full calendar of events can be found at its website, www.erccc.com or by calling the office at 304-636-2717.
Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change -- across the globe, in their communities, and in themselves.
Visit www.Rotary.org to learn more about Rotary International, visit the club's Facebook page -- Rotary Club of Elkins -- or contact club president Kenny George at kenneth.george@blueridgeriskpartners.com for more information about the Rotary Club of Elkins.