January, 2019 | The Laurel Magazine
By: Stephanie Edwards, executive director of the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce
2018 was another busy year for the Cashiers Area Chamber, representing more than 425 businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals across the Plateau. The business league’s core purpose is to provide extraordinary Leadership as an Advocate for Business, Information Source for the Community and Conduit for building destination awareness and responsible growth.
Since Cashiers is an unincorporated village without town government, the Chamber works closely with Jackson County to protect and enhance the local quality of life. It finances destination branding such as welcome signs for Cashiers and Glenville and the Crossroads community banner stand. It recently paid more than $4,000 for a topographical survey needed to engineer a core sidewalk system and works closely with TWSA on water resource issues critical to growth. This year it founded the Cashiers Area Legacy Fund, a 501(c)3 charity to support local public works projects.
Its economic development strategic initiatives include workforce development, pedestrian mobility and safety, broadband connectivity and community engagement. The Chamber created and maintains CashiersAreaJobs.com, an online jobs board with regional advertising to recruit workers to the Plateau. It hosts annual job fairs and regional summits to expand the employee base and ensure adequate housing, training and retention of workers.
The Chamber operates the Jackson County Visitor Center at Cashiers and is actively involved in the county’s tourism development authority to develop marketing strategies and ensure a quality visitor experience. It maintains information kiosks throughout the area featuring maps, waterfalls and attractions. It publishes the popular Cashiers Area Visitor Guide & Membership Directory and Cashiers Area Shopping & Dining Guide, available at www.CashiersAreaChamber.com which also features timely news and announcements.
As an important community information source, the Chamber launched and maintains Cashiers411.com, a comprehensive online community calendar. Non-profits and member businesses are invited to submit event information for promotion and use the chamber office as a convenient ticket outlet for charity events.
Business advocacy and promotion remain the priority focus of the Chamber and throughout the year members enjoy exclusive benefits, referrals, celebrations, recognitions, events, legislative updates, publicity, networking opportunities and other support. To join or for more information, visit www.CashiersAreaChamber.com or call 828-743-5191