Each year, thousands of people pass through the Metro South Chamber of Commerce building, including workshop attendees and counseling clients, Business Assistance Center visitors, and individuals meeting with one of the many business resource partners. New residents and visitors also frequent the building, requesting maps and information on cultural attractions within the region.
The Chamber has a responsibility to represent Brockton and the Metro South region as the premier, modern hub of business and development, to serve as a model of innovation and progress, and to demonstrate the support and strength of the business community. The building in its current state, however, is unable to sufficiently do this.
In 2013 and in celebration of one hundred years of service, the Metro South Chamber of Commerce kicked off the Metro South Centennial Innovation Campaign to raise $350,000 to renovate the Chamber’s historic headquarters (built by Thomas Edison as a power plant), to provide structural, aesthetic and technological improvements. Renovations have already started; the outdated roof and skylights have been replaced, and more improvements lie ahead.
The Campaign also includes plans to update the Business Assistance Center (BAC) which provides workshops, education, counseling and resources to the region’s small businesses, and the Edison Business Incubator, providing below-market price office space for entrepreneurs. Included in these updates will be new computers, equipment and software, as well as a more modern, technologically advanced conference room available for use by businesses and the community.
Recently, at the Metro South Chamber 101st Annual Meeting, The Chamber was happy to announce that they have exceeded the target and raised $354,000! Thank you to all of our supporters that made this possible.