What is the Greater Holyoke Chamber?

  • A Chamber of Commerce is an organization that represents and promotes the interests of businesses within a particular locality or industry. It serves as a voice for the business community, advocating for their needs and concerns, and often acts as a networking hub where businesses can connect with each other, government officials, and the public. Chambers of Commerce typically offer various services to their members, such as business development resources, networking events, advocacy on legislative issues, local and state level, and promotional activities to enhance the local business environment. Many cities, towns, and regions have their own chambers, while there are also chambers focused on specific industries or demographic groups.


    In particular, the Greater Holyoke Chamber has monthly networking events, as well as some bigger annual events as well. Additionally, the Chamber works closely with the Holyoke Farmers Market. Jordan, our Executive Director, is passionate about representation and is involved in local legislation, including town halls and similar meetings that aim to serve the community. 

    Additionally, the Greater Holyoke Chamber has partnered with MGCC for funding to provide Small Business Technical Assistance to existing businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurs. See details below.

  • There are a number of ways for businesses to get involved with the Chamber! To start, go to our Membership page, where you can see the different opportunities. Any business can apply, and we have a wide range of businesses, all of which are listed under our Directory page.

  • Why do you want to be a member?

SBTA

GHC has partnered with MGCC for funding to provide Small Business Technical Assistance to existing businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurs.

  • Yes, but often the eforall business accelerator program is recommended as a great starting point as it helps develop the ideas into a business plan when the idea is not completely developed.

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Grants with the SBTA

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  • Absolutely but the applicant is required to be an active participant in the application process. The SBTA resource can assist in the research and identification of appropriate grant opportunity, assist in proposal and submittal. However the application is just the beginning ultimately the applicant is responsible to execute the proposal.

    What is requires of applicant is significant and take time, attention, foresight to bring the idea to fruition.

    The concept is a starting point, but the details require development. Applications are a lengthy endeavor, and cannot completed in a 2 hours session but can be the greatest resource for growth and development because you will end with looking at your business through a different lens. Not all grants will be granted funding, but the effort from the application process will be valuable as a long-term plan that can serve as the blueprint for the future.

  • In a Grant meeting, you will meet to discover what kinds of grants you can apply for. Often, an important aspect to consider is why a grant is needed, and what, exactly, the money will go towards. In the Grant meeting, you will have the difficult conversations that address what inhibits success.