Business

Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce's Councils Focus on Businesses' Needs

John P. Threadgill, president of the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce, leads an organization committed to meeting the needs of all sectors of the business community.

The 600-plus member Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce is a strong force in northeast Shelby County’s economic development efforts.

One initiative begun in the last year is designed to assist the important primary industry membership sector. Collectively‚ primary industries represent a large employment base in Bartlett and surrounding areas‚ yet their needs may not have been specifically addressed in the past.

The needs of primary industry are now addressed by the Primary Industry Council‚ according to John Threadgill‚ chamber president.

“A lot of people don’t know much about this segment of industry in our community‚” Threadgill says. “Many of these industries don’t advertise‚ they’re not selling services locally‚ and their consumer base may be regional‚ nationwide or international.”

Many of the industries fall below the general public’s radar screen‚ says Threadgill. They have special needs specific to their industry‚ such as improved infrastructure and workforce development. “The chamber serves as a facilitator to create a forum where the industries can learn about one another and have an open discussion about various issues that affect each of them‚” says Threadgill. “We’re essentially the conduit for the businesses.”

Chaired by Terry Brimhall‚ CEO of the 80-employee Brimhall Foods‚ the Primary Industry Council was established “for the primary purpose of bringing industries together that have common goals in the county‚” Brimhall says.

The chamber facilitates forums‚ seminars and workshops‚ addresses legislative issues important to existing industry‚ works with companies in identifying infrastructure needs and serves as the liaison between business and workforce development programs.

“It was created as an educational group to identify and share information about various programs and agencies available to help industry‚” Brimhall says. “The council brings these industries together under the chamber to have a single voice.”

Providing specialized service to its members is nothing new to the Bartlett Area Chamber. The chamber’s Retail and Commercial Council addresses workforce and infrastructure needs for this membership sector‚ and the chamber routinely keeps its small business members apprised of legislative issues that might affect them. Job fairs are held as demand dictates‚ and chamber staff monitor building vacancies and work with owners and Realtors to fill those vacancies.

Members have ample opportunity when it comes to exposure‚ from the annual Bartlett Business Expo to member activities including Chamber Mixers After Hours‚ morning networking coffees‚ ribbon cuttings and monthly meetings.

Leadership development is critical to any community‚ and the chamber sponsors and administers specialized leadership programs for adults and youth in Bartlett.

The chamber’s Governmental Affairs group works effectively with local‚ state and national groups to monitor legislation‚ work on transportation issues and facilitate economic development strategies.

Story by Kimberly Kinnecom
Photo by Woodie S. Knight

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