Contributed by Chamber 

President Mandi Hess

Now that the Chamber of Commerce is back to a fully operating status we held out first banquet under the new Board of Directors. The Board of Directors consists of business owners in Oneida County. Our goals for 2024 and the upcoming years are to help stabilize and promote local business. Oneida County has a lot to offer citizens and we want to make sure we are promoting what we have here. 

Mayor Hawkins spoke about the importance and role of a Chamber of Commerce, as well as some of the history of how the Chamber of Commerce organization came to be. Mayor Hawkins also spoke on the importance of the Chamber and the City working together to help support our business district. The Chamber of Commerce was formed to protect commerce. In 1768, the first Chamber of Commerce was formed for the state of New York as a whole. Then in 1773, Charleston, South Carolina formed the first, more localized Chamber of Commerce. Today there are over 75,000 local Chamber of Commerce organizations. 

Mayor Hawkins also stated that America stands for freedom, free enterprise and private initiative, and the Chamber supports that. They also act as a liaison between government, businesses and residents. The Chamber informs citizens of what businesses are about.

In Malad, the Chamber had evolved to put on a lot of the major of events in the city. Over the years, other organizations have stepped up to take over some of the traditions Malad has come to love. This has given the Chamber the time to get back to its roots of advocating for business with the local, and state governments. We look forward to hosting networking events and continuing education courses.

We encourage all business in Oneida County to join the Chamber of Commerce. All membership information can be found online at www.shopmalad.com. You may also reach out the Chamber via email, [email protected], or call/text 208-705-1659