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Date: 3/21/2023
CHICOPEE — Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Melissa Breor said the organization is furthering its work to support business development in the post-coronavirus pandemic economic landscape.
Breor, who was hired as the chamber’s leader in August 2022, is continuing several of the chamber’s well-honored traditions. She recently helped celebrate the annual Shinning Stars gala on March 3, which showcases businesses and community leaders for their lasting impacts.
The event recognized McKinstry Market Garden, Inc as Business of the Year, Holyoke Community College as Nonprofit of the Year, Judith Corridan Danek as Citizen of the Year, and Mim Zayas as Volunteer of the Year.
Breor said the event was a great success for the chamber.
“Shinning Stars was fantastic. I was delighted with the attendance and the energy. There were many inspiring stories shared by our recipients,” said Breor.
Breor’s central focus with the chamber is aiding business development. Following several years impacted by COVID-19, Breor said the chamber is maintaining a positive outlook in 2023.
“Our outlook is definitely a little more optimistic. We have seen some new businesses open … There is an appetite for people to take ownership and really take on their own ventures,” said Breor.
While industries continue dealing with a few lingering issues, such as increased cost of goods and staffing shortages, many new and existing businesses continue to excel, according to Breor.
The chamber welcomed several businesses during Breor’s tenure, including the bar Elixir, Captain Jack’s Roadside Shack, the city’s first Hot Table location on Memorial Drive and the expansion of smoke shop JimBuddy’s into being the city’s third dispensary.
Breor also said small business development remains active in Chicopee.
“I do get calls almost every week from people who are aspiring to open a business or working actively on a business,” said Breor.
Along with business development, Breor is working to help secure essential resources. She and the chamber recently hosted a grant workshop attended by over 30 businesses. The meeting featured the presence of small business advisors who help inform people of avenues to secure additional funding.
“There are some really fantastic opportunities at the state level … We are recognizing that there is a gap in knowledge [regarding grants]. People assume that the city is giving out funding, but they don’t realize there is a next level of funding. We want to help people look for those opportunities and succeed at applying for them,” said Breor.
Another avenue for business development is the chamber’s annual market, Center Fresh Chicopee. The weekly vendor showcase starts in the summer and takes place every Thursday right outside of City Hall. As the chamber approaches its third year with Center Fresh Chicopee, Breor is working to further its impacts.
“The chamber is really looking at that program as a branch of our microenterprise development support. We see these vendors, they might not be based in Chicopee, but they are coming to Chicopee to do business. We hope that they have a good experience doing the weekly market, and if and when they ever chose to go brick and mortar or look for a production space, they might choose Chicopee,” said Breor.
Center Fresh Chicopee will highlight a multitude of local vendors along with assisting several through microgrant awards. The market provides equitable services to the public through a $10 SNAP match for its various produce.
The Chamber of Commerce is also deepening its relationship with EforAll – a national entrepreneur organization based locally in Holyoke. Breor envisions the program serving as another tool to help jumpstart aspiring business owners.
“We’re hoping to help increase the visibility of that program and get more Chicopee businesses to participate in their pitch contest or business accelerator, which is 100 percent free for businesses to participate in,” said Breor.
The chamber will have an informational session on EforAll on March 27. Interested businesses can sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eforall-eparatodos-info-session-tickets-560620961387?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.
Readers can learn more about the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce at https://www.chicopeechamber.org/.