There are a number of chambers of commerce within the boundaries of Brookhaven Town. A chamber of commerce is a volunteer organization made up of business owners, management, and/or salespeople from various businesses who come together to support their business community and the surrounding area. Small business, as we know, is the backbone of the American economy. A community with robust local businesses is often a sign of an overall strong community. The various chambers tend to represent and focus on their somewhat immediate vicinity determined by their own leadership. Usually concentrating within their own town’s boundaries or a collection of a few surrounding towns.
The Brookhaven Chambers of Commerce Coalition (BCCC), established in 1992, is a chamber-oriented organization that unites all of the chambers of commerce in the Town of Brookhaven. The BCCC is led by Barbara Ransome of Port Jefferson and is comprised of one member representative from each participating Chamber of Commerce in the Town of Brookhaven.
Starting in 2010, the Brookhaven Coalition established two pro-grams to support local business: a Small Business Improvement Award, and a Chamber Economic Stimulus Incentive Grant. Businesses can submit a written essay-like application telling a little about their business, possibly some obstacle they are facing, or talk about the potential growth they are experiencing. The only real stipulation is their business must be small, local, and they must be a member in good standing of one of the member chambers.
The small business Improvement award, a monetary prize of $1,200.00 is given to an applicant who shows what specifically they would do with the money. They must cite a specific purchase or use of funds and show how it could positively benefit the business. The Chamber Economic Stimulus Incentive Grant, of $1,000.00 is awarded to the Chamber itself. The member chamber submits the application and again states how the money will be used but for the benefit of the chamber as a whole, such as starting or improving a website, a mailing or membership drive, or hosting an event to further promote and grow the Chamber.
In more recent years the BCCC added another grant category with 2 monetary prizes, $1000.00 and $500.00. This grant is titled BCCC’s Enticement Grants but is also known as a recovery grant. The criteria is simple and the use of money is broader. The BCCC realizes that running a business is hard and even harder after living through the COVID-19 Pandemic. The business can simply state how a little monetary “shot in the arm” (pun intended) could really help and it can be used for any operating expenses like payroll, rent or utilities. Who couldn’t use a little extra cash?
Every year each individual chamber chooses a Chamber Member of the Year, an individual who has tirelessly promoted growth or success within their chamber. From that pool of chosen members, the BCCC board chooses one to be the Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce Coalition Top Member of the Year.
The Brookhaven Coalition hosts a dinner event annually to acknowledge all the chambers’ members of the year, the recipients of the grants, as well as the Brookhaven member of the year. It is a tremendous event each year, full of networking and applauding the efforts of all.
This year’s event was held recently on April 17, at Trio in Holbrook. A truly great event. On display was nothing less than true camaraderie, a real desire to support one another in keeping their businesses and respective communities thriving. You can see the many sincere friendships that have been made as well as the business connections.
Among the recipients of the grant money were Mitch Brendel of Integrity Expediting winning the $500 Enticement Award. The $1000.00 enticement went to Early Interactions LLC, Lisa Andree and Erin Butler.
The $1000 Economic Stimulus went to the Farmingville Hills Chamber of Commerce and the overall Brookhaven Member of the Year went to Beth Wahl of the Mastic /Shirley Chamber of Commerce.
The Messenger was humbled and grateful to be chosen for the The $1,200 Small Business Improvement Award. Our request was submitted to help offset the cost of some new, needed camera equipment, allowing us to better cover all the amazing events going on throughout Brookhaven – many of which are hosted or supported by these very businesses represented by these Chambers of Commerce.
The Messenger would like to congratulate the BCCC, all of the member Chambers, and all of the award recipients. Your efforts and your contributions are appreciated more than you know and do not go unnoticed.
