Ferndale Welcomes the Launch of
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ur local Chamber of Commerce has a rich history. It was originally established in 1918, at which time it was called The Board of Commerce. Nearly two decades later, in 1936, the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce (later FACC) was born. Founded by business and community leaders with the vision of promoting business growth, by 1972, the FACC sponsored its first Fall Festival on West Nine Mile. Despite challenges, the Chamber sustained itself by inviting neighborhood clubs and organizations to join for a small fee of $25. This money was used to purchase the marquee that still stands proudly on the corner of Woodward and Nine Mile and serves as a way to alert residents to local happenings. The purpose of the Chamber is to give local businesses the opportunity to collaborate with each other to promote and improve area commerce. And, in connecting members by way of various events held throughout the year, the Chamber increases visibility for its members’ products and services. Joy Wells joined the FACC in 2019 as its Executive Director, overseeing more than 300 members. From the get-go, she wanted to go even bigger and used her passion for public service to expand the Chamber’s reach. Wells led an endeavor to unite Ferndale with the surrounding communities of Oak Park and Hazel Park as a way to bring back the vitality of the entire area, despite complications that arose amid the pandemic. “I saw such a great opportunity to spearhead a large, impactful strategic endeavor that only took a year to accomplish,” said Wells, with 15 years of operations and project management experience prior to FACC.
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the other board members are determined to foster prosperity in the postpandemic state.
The expansion of the Ferndale Chamber’s reach allows for a unique opportunity for current members to connect with Oak Park and Hazel Park and foster business growth in all three cities simultaneously. Because residents tend to frequent businesses in all three municipalities, it just made sense. Working closely with the county, cities and government officials to support its mission, SOAR allows representatives in these communities a platform to come together and lift each other up in the process. SOAR’s website proudly boasts, “When communities unite, everyone wins!” The Board believes the new structure will increase the power in numbers, the power of advocacy, and the powers of the Chamber itself.” Some of the many benefits members enjoy include access to business networking, government, city and local hubs of business resources, advocacy and economic development, and volunteering and community support. The Chamber is currently accepting additional applicants throughout the region.
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ELLS EXPLAINED. “DURING THE PANDEMIC CRISIS, WE HAVE OPENED OUR DOORS to all businesses and communities while we navigate through the current state of affairs.” She added, “We are in a pilot year of our regional launch and further learning the needs of our growing communities. We are revamping our membership and sponsorship programming.” Businesses who join SOAR in its first year will be in a unique position of helping to define its future, and several activities are already underway. These events are free of charge and open to both members and non members. Most of 2021’s events are centered around SOAR’s mission of economic growth despite the crisis and defining its new structure. “We have an events committee that goes through a brainstorming process. We then create them in a test environment, troubleshoot, and publicize,” Wells said, explaining how new ideas are generated and rolled out. She added, “We are still learning the needs of the communities and understanding the business landscapes.” n For updates and new website launch information, follow South Oakland Area Regional Chamber of Commerce on Facebook. Businesses interested in growth opportunities, community engagement, and prosperity, are welcome to join through SOAR’s website, southoaklandarearegionalcc.org, or by emailing Wells directly at joy@soar-cc.org.
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S A RESULT OF THESE EFFORTS, AND IN COLLABORATION WITH its Oak Park Alliance and City officials in Hazel Park, this year the FACC relaunched as the South Oakland Area Regional Chamber of Commerce (SOAR). Wells is staying on as the organization’s President, and the vision of the new collaboration is to make the region “the community of choice to work, live, learn, and grow.” Wells and
To receive SOAR’s weekly newsletter, email joy@ferndalechamber.com, And for more information on current and future events, contact mia@quickcheckbooksllc.com.
By Sara E. Teller
SOUTH OAKLAND AREA REGIONAL
Chamber Of Commerce 152
2021 FERNDALE MEMORIAL EDITION
