Q&A with Holyoke Chamber of Commerce

The role of a chamber of commerce can be confusing, especially during this crazy time of the COVID-19 pandemic. So The Holyoke Enterprise sat down with Holyoke Chamber of Commerce director Holly Ferguson last week for 10 questions about the chamber. Ferguson is in the process of moving to the chamber’s new office at 118 N. Interocean Ave. (the State Farm building).

1Q: How long have you been the chamber’s executive director?

A: Since Jan. 1.

2Q: What exactly is a chamber of commerce?

A: The best way to describe it is to tell you Holyoke’s mission statement. Our purpose is to promote and advance the business, cultural and general community interests of Holyoke and its greater trade area of northeastern Colorado. A chamber is here to help develop what our community is, get word out about what our businesses offer, and hold events and activities that are going to make it prosperous and advance it in all ways, not just business.

3Q: Why is it important that Holyoke have a chamber of commerce?

A: It’s important for every community to have a chamber of commerce! Chambers not only connect businesses, organizations and government offices with potential customers but also employees to business connections within the community. It has a lot to do with interacting in a professional environment with other people.

Especially for Holyoke, it’s important because we’re a smaller community, and it gives us a way to come together and meet people. For instance, at one of our social gatherings, one of the new businesses comes to town, and they end up meeting other businesses that could use their services.

Of course, being active and engaged in the chamber is an important responsibility of its members in order to reap the full amount of benefits it offers.

I like to think of Holyoke as this strong, interwoven community that works together to hold itself up, and the chamber is the creator of the ability to do that.

4Q: Why would a business, organization or individual want to become a member?

A: First of all, it provides increased visibility in the community. Also, a lot of consumers see you are part of the chamber, and it gives you some reputability and makes them trust your business more.

We offer a lot of free advertising opportunities for the businesses through our website and social media outlets as well as opportunities for sponsorships of events that we coordinate. Another great part of it is the opportunity for your business to be involved in volunteer or charitable work through our programs.

Also, one thing I think is personally cool is the welcome to Holyoke bags that the chamber puts together. Any new resident that comes to town gets one. It’s got flyers for your business, coupons and even swag. I’ve moved a lot in the last 20 years, and I’ve never gotten a welcome bag! It’s just an exciting thing.

Especially right now, this kind of pandemic that you would never expect to come across is an even bigger reason to be a part of the chamber. It’s offering a lifeline to its community, to its organizations and to its businesses during these types of emergencies. A lot of the government mandates and the funding programs can be confusing if you don’t have someone who can help you sift through that. And that’s what we’ve been here for.

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