About the Chatham Chamber
The Chatham Chamber exists to help businesses and organizations discover new opportunities to grow while supporting and strengthening the community we all call home.
As Chatham County's population grows, businesses face new opportunities and new challenges. Building meaningful relationships, staying informed, developing leaders, and having a voice in the future of our community have never been more important.
That's where we come in. Our role is simple: to serve as a trusted resource for information, bring people together, create opportunities for collaboration, and champion a business climate where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
We believe that businesses are at the heart of a strong community. When businesses succeed, jobs are created, nonprofits gain partners, families prosper, and our entire county becomes a better place to live, work, and do business.
Whether you're launching your first business, leading a growing company, managing a nonprofit, or investing in Chatham County's future, at the Chatham Chamber you'll find a community of leaders who are committed to growing together.
Because when local businesses thrive, Chatham thrives.
Have Questions About the Chatham Chamber?
Whether you're considering membership, recently moved to Chatham County, or simply want to learn more about what we do, you'll find answers to many of the questions we hear most often below. If you don't see what you're looking for, we'd love to help. Contact our team anytime.
984.265.9172 | cheryl@chathamchambernc.org | Board & Staff Page
About the Chatham Chamber
The Chatham Chamber is a nonprofit business membership organization dedicated to helping businesses and organizations succeed while strengthening the economic vitality of Chatham County, North Carolina.
We connect business leaders with valuable relationships, practical resources, leadership opportunities, and a unified voice on issues that impact the local business community. Whether you're launching a new business, growing an established company, or leading a nonprofit, we're here to help you thrive.
The Chatham Chamber exists to help businesses succeed and to strengthen the community they call home.
Every day, we connect business owners with the people they need to know, provide resources that help organizations grow, convene leaders to solve community challenges, celebrate local successes, and advocate for a strong business climate.
Some days that looks like welcoming a new business with a ribbon cutting. Other days it means bringing employers together to discuss workforce needs, hosting leadership development programs, convening conversations around housing or infrastructure, connecting nonprofits with corporate partners, or helping local businesses navigate change.
We believe strong businesses create strong communities. That's why our work is centered on building relationships, creating opportunities, and championing Chatham County's future.
Strong businesses create strong communities.
The Chamber works alongside local governments, schools, nonprofits, employers, and community organizations to strengthen Chatham County's economy, develop future leaders, encourage collaboration, and help create a place where businesses and residents can succeed together.
No.
The Chatham Chamber is an independent, nonprofit membership organization funded primarily through membership investments, sponsorships, and events. While we regularly collaborate with local governments and community partners, we are not a government agency.
No.
The Chatham Chamber is a nonpartisan business organization.
We advocate for a strong business climate and work with elected officials and community leaders across all levels of government. Our focus is on policies and partnerships that support the long-term success of Chatham County's businesses and economy.
At the Chatham Chamber, we believe meaningful relationships create meaningful opportunities.
While networking is certainly part of what we do, our mission goes far beyond hosting events. We bring together business leaders, nonprofits, educators, elected officials, and community partners to strengthen relationships, share ideas, solve challenges, and shape the future of Chatham County.
We take the time to get to know our members, understand their goals, and connect them with the people, resources, and opportunities that best support their success. Whether you're looking to grow your business, develop as a leader, increase your visibility, or become more involved in the community, we're here to help you make the right connections and maximize your membership.
Membership
Any business, nonprofit organization, government agency, educational institution, or individual who wants to support a strong local business community is welcome to join.
Our members range from entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses to manufacturers, healthcare providers, farms, financial institutions, restaurants, retailers, and some of Chatham County's largest employers.
Membership helps you grow your business through meaningful relationships, increased visibility, professional development, community engagement, and access to trusted local information.
Members also gain opportunities to:
- Build relationships with business and community leaders
- Attend networking and educational events
- Promote their business
- Celebrate milestones through ribbon cuttings
- Participate in leadership programs
- Stay informed about local issues affecting business
- Help shape the future of Chatham County through advocacy and collaboration
For many small businesses, Chamber membership is one of the most effective ways to build relationships within the local business community.
While every business is different, members often join to increase visibility, meet potential customers and referral partners, stay informed about local issues, connect with community leaders, and find opportunities to grow. The value of membership grows over time as you build trusted relationships and become more engaged in the community.
Not at all.
Most Chamber members are small and locally owned businesses. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur, home-based business, nonprofit, growing company, or major employer, membership is designed to meet you where you are and grow alongside your business.
Absolutely.
Many members do business in Chatham County even if they're located elsewhere. If you serve Chatham County customers, have employees here, partner with local organizations, or want to build relationships in our community, Chamber membership can help you make meaningful connections.
Absolutely.
Many nonprofit organizations are active Chamber members. Membership helps nonprofits build partnerships with businesses, increase awareness, connect with volunteers and donors, and collaborate with organizations working to strengthen Chatham County.
Benefits & Value
Business growth looks different for every organization.
Some businesses join to meet new customers. Others want to recruit employees, increase credibility, connect with local leaders, learn from peers, develop future leaders, or become more involved in the community.
The Chamber creates opportunities for all of these by bringing people together, sharing resources, and fostering collaboration across Chatham County.
The Chamber creates opportunities for businesses to connect, learn, and grow.
Our work includes:
- Business networking
- Leadership development
- Educational workshops
- Small business resources
- Economic and community data
- Government affairs and advocacy
- Business celebrations and ribbon cuttings
- Community partnerships
- Signature events that connect businesses with decision-makers and one another
No Chamber can guarantee referrals.
What we do provide is consistent access to relationships, visibility, and opportunities that help businesses build trust over time. Many members find that the connections they make through Chamber events and programs lead to new customers, partnerships, and long-term business growth.
Yes.
Membership includes a variety of ways to increase your visibility, including the online member directory, event sponsorships, ribbon cuttings, social media recognition, advertising opportunities, and event participation.
Many members find that consistent visibility helps build trust and keeps their business top of mind within the community.
No.
While many members enjoy attending Chamber events and view it as a great way to learn and build meaningful relationships, there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to getting value from your membership.
Every business has different goals, schedules, and priorities. Some members are looking to increase visibility, others want introductions to community leaders, advocacy support, leadership development for employees, marketing opportunities, or strategic partnerships.
Our role is to get to know your business and understand what you're trying to accomplish. From there, we'll help connect you with the people, resources, and opportunities that best support your goals. Whether you attend every event or only a few each year, we're committed to helping you make the most of your membership.
The best way to maximize your Chamber membership is to start with a conversation.
Every business has different goals. Whether you're looking to increase visibility, build relationships, recruit employees, grow sales, connect with community leaders, or become more involved in Chatham County, our team wants to understand what success looks like for you.
Once we know your business needs, priorities, and goals, we can help connect you with the people, resources, programs, and opportunities that align with what you're trying to accomplish.
For some members, that means attending networking events. For others, it may be sponsorships, leadership development, ribbon cuttings, advocacy, marketing opportunities, committee involvement, or introductions to strategic partners. There's no single "right" way to engage.
Our job is to help you make the most of your investment by connecting you with the opportunities that will have the greatest impact on your business.
Because relationships matter.
Many members renew because the Chamber helps them stay connected to the community, build trust with customers, develop valuable partnerships, stay informed about local issues, and contribute to the future of Chatham County.
For some, the return comes through new business opportunities. For others, it's the leadership development, advocacy, or sense of belonging to a community working toward shared success.
Programs & Services
Throughout the year, we offer networking events, educational seminars, leadership programs, business celebrations, industry roundtables, government affairs programming, young professional events, women's networking, nonprofit gatherings, signature countywide events, and the annual State of Chatham program.
Leadership Chatham is the Chamber's premier leadership development program.
Participants gain a deeper understanding of Chatham County's economic, educational, governmental, nonprofit, and cultural landscape while building lasting relationships with fellow leaders from across the community.
Absolutely.
Whether you're starting your first business, relocating to Chatham County, or expanding an existing company, the Chamber can help you build connections, learn about the community, celebrate your opening, and access resources that support long-term success.
Many entrepreneurs say one of the biggest benefits of joining is gaining a network of people who genuinely want to see them succeed.
Yes.
While the Chamber isn't a staffing agency or hiring service, our team can help connect you with educational institutions, workforce development partners, and community organizations that support your workforce needs.
We can also help promote hiring events and connect you with local venues, catering, marketing opportunities, and other resources to support larger recruitment initiatives.
Every employer's workforce needs are different. Whether you're hiring for a single position or planning a large-scale recruitment effort, we'd be happy to learn about your goals and explore ways the Chamber can connect you with the people, partnerships, and resources that best support your success.
Yes.
Whether you're considering opening a new location, relocating your business, or expanding into Chatham County, we're here to help you get connected.
Our team can introduce you to community partners, local leaders, business resources, and organizations that can assist with everything from understanding the local business environment to making valuable connections within the community.
Our goal is to help you feel welcomed, connected, and positioned for long-term success in Chatham County.
Our goal is to help you make the most of your membership from day one.
After you join, you'll receive a welcome email with access to your Member Information Hub, where you can update your online directory listing, access the members-only directory, register for events, and take advantage of member resources.
We'll also introduce your business to the community through an upcoming New Member Welcome post on our social media channels.
Most importantly, we encourage every new member to attend a New Member Welcome & Orientation. It's a great opportunity to meet Chamber President & CEO Rebecca Dickenson, learn how to maximize your membership, and begin building meaningful relationships with fellow members.
Membership is more than a directory listing or event calendar. It's a relationship. As we get to know your business, your goals, and your priorities, we'll help connect you with the people, resources, and opportunities that can make the greatest impact on your success.
Advocacy & Economic Development
Yes.
The Chatham Chamber serves as a collective voice for business by fostering productive relationships with local, regional, and state leaders. We help business owners stay informed, encourage civic engagement, and create opportunities for thoughtful conversations around issues that affect Chatham County's economy.
Learn more about who is currently serving on our Government Affairs Committee, learn more about our policy framework, and see our top priorities here.
Economic development is about creating a community where businesses and people can thrive.
The Chatham Chamber contributes by supporting local businesses, developing leaders, fostering collaboration, encouraging entrepreneurship, advocating for a healthy business climate, and connecting employers with community partners.
When local businesses succeed, jobs grow, investment follows, and the entire community benefits.
While we work closely together, our missions are different and complementary.
The Chatham Chamber helps businesses of all sizes make informed decisions while building a stronger, more connected community. We do this by fostering meaningful relationships, facilitating strategic partnerships, providing access to timely data and community insights, promoting member businesses, developing local leaders, advocating for a strong business climate, and connecting organizations with the resources they need to grow with confidence.
The Chatham Economic Development Corporation focuses on attracting new private investment to Chatham County, supporting the expansion of existing employers, and marketing the county's industrial and commercial development opportunities. Their work helps strengthen Chatham County's long-term economy by creating quality jobs, increasing household income, expanding the local tax base, and supporting thoughtful, sustainable growth.
Together, our organizations are committed to creating a thriving business environment where companies can start, grow, invest, and succeed while strengthening the future of Chatham County.
Getting Started
We'd love to meet you.
Attending a Chatham Chamber event or New Member Welcome & Orientation is one of the best ways to begin building relationships, learn about the community, and discover opportunities to get involved.
There are many ways to engage.
Attend an event, volunteer as a Chamber Ambassador, participate in Leadership Chatham, join a networking group, sponsor a program, serve on a committee, or simply introduce yourself at your first event. We'll help you find the opportunities that best align with your goals.
Our membership reflects the diversity and entrepreneurial spirit of Chatham County's business community.
Members include entrepreneurs, small businesses, family-owned companies, manufacturers, healthcare providers, nonprofits, financial institutions, restaurants, retailers, professional service firms, farms, educational institutions, local governments, and many of the county's largest employers.
This diverse and engaged network creates valuable opportunities to build relationships, share ideas, collaborate across industries, and support one another's success. No matter your industry or organization size, you'll find a welcoming community of leaders who are invested in the future of Chatham County.
You can explore our full Member Directory to discover the businesses and organizations that make up the Chatham Chamber community.
Membership begins at $345 annually, with several investment levels designed to fit businesses of different sizes and goals. Higher membership levels include additional marketing opportunities, event benefits, and leadership engagement.
You can explore all membership options on our Join page.
The Chatham Chamber is a 501c(6) organization. Chamber membership is generally considered an ordinary and necessary business expense but is not tax-deductible as charitable gift. Because every business is different, we recommend consulting your accountant or tax professional regarding your specific situation.
Still have questions?
Every business is different, and we'd love to learn more about yours. Whether you're exploring membership, relocating to Chatham County, or looking for ways to get involved, our team is here to help.
Contact our Chatham Chamber Staff Team: