Overview

.....The Chamber office is in the first floor of the Thomas Harris School Museum at 217 West Main Street, Harrisville. This main street location provides visibility and easy access for members, tourists, new businesses, and the general public. Our secretary, Mrs. Gail Smith, is our front-line interface with the public.
.....The Ritchie County Economic Development Authority and the Community Foundation also share our office. Concentrating these offices in one location allows for sharing of resources and information. Mr. Kent Spellman, the Economic Development Authority director, is available to help with business plans, financial information, as well as project development and grant writing. The local businesses need to be aware of this resource.

Benefits of Chamber Membership

.....We are asked many times, "How will my business benefit from being a Chamber of Commerce member?" I would like to point out a few of the benefits.
.....The Chamber of Commerce web site is a direct avenue for your business to gain exposure and advertising to the outside world. We hope to have a web page for every Chamber member. In your businesses web page, you can have a lengthy description of what your business offers to potential customers. For members with existing web pages, the Chamber web page would link and promote your business. Our goal is to provide Ritchie County with a strong web presence. The Chamber web site also has banner advertisement so that you can produce a flashy ad to be displayed on every Chamber page.
.....For further advertising, the Chamber has had a red-oak brochure rack built and it is available for any flyers that your business would like to hand out. This will allow visiting tourists to see what we have to offer. Just drop off some brochures and Gail will put them in the racks.
....In the bigger picture, Chamber members are involved in the county-wide tourism marketing program as well as branding Ritchie County to the outside world. The First Impressions Report, which was initiated by the Chamber of Commerce, has resulted in a great response with the placing of signage and cleaning up around the county. We are working closely with the EDA and County Commission to develop projects that will help Ritchie County maintain its small town appeal and still provide jobs and a high quality of life for its people.
.....Your ideas and comments are welcome. What would you like to see the Chamber do for you? Call the Chamber office if you have any questions or comments, 643-2500. It is our hope that you will support the Ritchie County Chamber of Commerce, both through your input and membership fees. This is your opportunity to guide Ritchie County into the future.

 

Description of the
Ritchie County Chamber of Commerce, Incorporated

.....The Ritchie County Chamber of Commerce was incorporated on July 19, 1988 as a nonstock, nonprofit organization. The Ritchie County Chamber of Commerce observes all local, state, and federal laws which apply to a nonprofit organization, as defined in section 501 (c) (6) of the Internal Revenue Code.

.....In general, the purpose and objectives of the Ritchie County Chamber of Commerce is the development, improvement, promotion, and advancement of the civic, commercial, industrial, and agricultural interests of Ritchie County through a competitive free enterprise system.

.....Any person, association, corporation, partnership, or estate having an interest in the objectives of the Ritchie County Chamber of Commerce is eligible to apply for membership. Annual membership dues are typically based on the annual sales of a business. Contact the Chamber office to ask about specific circumstances regarding membership dues. The Chamber's finances are based solely on membership dues, the Chamber does not receive any local, state, or federal government funds

The current Board of Directors are: