Marshfield Chamber Gets Down to Business
Even as it works to enhance economic growth and development now, the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry has plenty going on to ensure a solid future as well.
The nearly 600-member chamber prides itself on customizing its programs and services to help not just business sectors but individual businesses within them. The organization is able to take a micro approach that’s very beneficial in many ways, says Scott Larson, executive director.
“We refine what we’re doing for a particular member or particular group with an interest area,” Larson says. “We provide resources in workforce development for them, as well as economic and community development in general. We provide opportunities for networking and marketing for our members, but we also make sure that we’re offering advocacy services for them and the greater community.”
By drilling down to specifics, the chamber is able to tackle a multifaceted topic, such as workforce development, and focus on one or two specific issues. For example, it operates the Marshfield Area Human Resources Association, which provides a network for business and human resources professionals within the community to share information such as, for example, new issues in workers’ compensation.
The chamber also has gotten into the health-care arena with a career connections program designed to work with area hospitals and other medical-related businesses to provide on-the-job vocational training for students.
“The hope there is that not only will the business get some help, but the student workers will find an interest in these careers, maybe leave to get more training, and then come back to the area to find work,” Larson says.
Students also are front and center in the chamber’s outreach efforts to eight area school districts, as well as its participation in a statewide youth apprenticeship program that lets it connect high school juniors and seniors with local business partnerships for hands-on training in 17 different areas.
On the broader economic development front, the chamber always helps grow its existing businesses, but it also uses outside marketing efforts and the city’s strategic plan, developed in early 2008, to bring in new businesses and industry sectors that ensure the area’s continued viability.
“We see the chamber as a linchpin, and we want to be the predominant entity or organization dealing with economic development,” Larson says. “It’s good for the community, and it’s the kind of service we need to be providing for our members.”
