There is a new opportunity in town for business owners. The Chamber of Commerce is being re-created. My first reaction was very skeptical. “Here we go again” was my thinking. “Power players are taking control and maneuvering for their own advantage.” I thought, “Probably another 1percent tax for a private ski hill again.” I have become very skeptical and negative since moving here. My thinking, and anyone else who thinks this way is the real problem. It is the shoot yourself in the foot phenomenon that is so common here. We sure could use an attitude change and to start using the power of positive thinking. With the right mind we could really improve the economy here.
If you own a small business and do not come to the table, then we just have another small group pushing their personal agenda under a fancy named organization and the resentment continues.
If the 273 registered businesses in Cook County (according to the 2010 census) join together and listen respectfully to each other there is guaranteed to be a positive democratic outcome. This would have a very positive impact on the local economy and there would be a voice of the business community within local government that does not presently exist in any cohesive manner.
My point is every business should join the Chamber right away. It does not matter if you are bottling up deer lure in your garage, knitting hats, running a resort or have a storefront. All should be at the table and have equal say. There are hundreds of excuses not to but this attitude would guarantee our continued stagnation. Take the risk for a year and see what impact you can have of the future of the County. I did, and I hope not to be disappointed.
Contact: ccchamber@boreal.org for membership information and I hope to see all of you micro-business folks at the table with the larger dudes. It is the only way we will move ahead.
E.R. Perry
Grand Marais
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