2020
Annual Report GREENSBURG/DECATUR COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
314 W. Washington St. Greensburg, IN 47240 812.663.2832 www.greensburgchamber.com
GDC CHAMBER SUMMER DAY OF GOLF EVENT
Board Members, Rachel Sullivan (L), representing Chamber member Decatur County REMC and Mandy Lohrum (R), representing Chamber member Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby Co., along with Jody Coffman, representing Chamber member WRBI Radio
Executive Director Report You may have noticed how difficult it is these days to hold a business or general discussion without the phrase “…then COVID…” coming up in the conversation. On one hand, 2020 has been more than challenging for many in the business community. On the other hand, it has also been a year where businesses have stepped up to meet the challenge, many doing what they have to in order to keep doors open, inventory flowing, and people working. As the pandemic hit our area particularly hard beginning in mid-March through April, the business community faced unprecedented times. While making out budgets and plans for 2020 in 2019, not many entertained thoughts that a virus could have such a huge impact on a nation and the world. JEFF EMSWELLER Those “rainy day” funds became the lifeline for some. The Greensburg/Decatur County Chamber of Commerce became an even more valuable resource to our members as well as the community during these times. In our minds, the first month of the Pandemic blazed along at whirlwind speed. Workdays started early and ended late and the days sometimes seemed to run into each other seven days a week. Realizing the importance of providing information to help the landscape of our business community survive, the Chamber considered every business in Decatur County a member of our organization. Our social media pages exploded in growth as we pushed out timely important information from our city and county officials as well as continuous updates from Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb. The Chamber appreciates the Decatur County Commissioners and the City of Greensburg Mayor’s office for allowing us to be at the table as advocates for the business community during critical decisionmaking times.
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
02/13
Executive Director Report cont.
We also utilized our social media presence to help local businesses get their information in front of the public, something that became very valuable as an added source of communication for our community. This is another added value benefit to our members. The Chamber continued its strong relationship with The Economic Development Corporation of Greensburg/Decatur County, the Decatur County Community Foundation, MainStreet Greensburg, and Decatur County Tourism as our organizations formed a hugely successful effort known as Devoted2Decatur County, a gift certificate program that pumped over $140,000 back to the local economy during the height of the Pandemic. Business owners showed their appreciation with tears as residents took advantage of the effort. Zoom meetings included important discussions with the Indiana Small Business Development Center, Decatur County Memorial Hospital officials, mental health professionals and more. Except for a highly-successful golf outing in August, which saw a record turnout, (and a record amount of beverage sales), Chamber events turned virtual, much like our annual meeting. Our virtual Women in Business Conference was held over a 3-week period for one hour each week and received many outstanding compliments from those who logged in. Of course, as time progressed and the summer settled in, the Chamber returned its focus on our current members and advocates for business. We appreciate every one of those businesses who continue to support the efforts of the Greensburg/Decatur County Chamber of Commerce by being dues paying members. The Chamber cannot do the job we do as being one of the economic drivers in our community without that support. For that, we are grateful. So as the Chamber closes out the year on what will go down in history as one many are ready to forget, your Greensburg/Decatur County Chamber of Commerce stands ready to face the challenges ahead of us and like you, we welcome the good times to come. On behalf of the Chamber Board of Directors, Associate/Social Media Manager Dawn Lowe, Financial Associate Amy Borns and myself, we thank you for your continued support and we look forward to working together for brighter days ahead. Sincerely, Jeff Emsweller, IOM, CP Executive Director ANNUAL REPORT 2020
03/13
Board of Directors EXECUTIVE TEAM
Jason Barbieri First Financial Bank President
Mandy Lohrum Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County Vice-President
Barb Bohman RBSK Partners PC Treasurer
Patty Lange-Fischer Langeland Farms Secretary
Rachel Sullivan Decatur County REMC Past-President ANNUAL REPORT 2020
04/13
Board of Directors Dr. Jarrod Burns Decatur County Community Schools Tom Hunter Greensburg Community Schools Shawntea Stille-Jackson Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC
Leslie Thackery Gilliland-Howe Funeral Home Laura Walsman Decatur County Memorial Hospital ANNUAL REPORT 2020
05/13
Board of Directors EX-OFFICIOS
Mayor Joshua Marsh City of Greensburg Sandy Biddinger WTRE Radio Philip Deiwert Decatur County Visitor's Commission Brent Lee WRBI Radio Rick Nobbe County Commissioners
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
06/13
Board of Directors
Bryan Robbins The Economic Development Corp. of Greensburg/Decatur County
Laura Welborn Greensburg Daily News STAFF
Jeff Emsweller Executive Director Dawn Lowe Associate/Social Media Manager Amy Borns Financial Associate
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
07/13
Company Statistics 301 MEMBERS
Despite a pandemic, membership continues to hold steady as the Chamber provides valuable resources and services for its members.
The downtown scene changed for a few businesses as Game Plan Graphics purchased the building on the corner of Washington and Broadway streets. They took the building through a major renovation before opening the doors back up to the public.
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
10 Board Members 7 EX-OFFICIOS Leadership is strong as Board Members volunteer their time to enrich the business community in Decatur County.
Balanced BUDGET
You might be interested to know the Chamber operates on a $0 balanced budget, utilizing sponsorships to help offset the cost of hosting events to better serve our community and members. GDC CHAMBER MEMBER
GAME PLAN GRAPHICS AND THEIR NEW LOCATION
08/13
Financial Snapshot JANUARY - OCTOBER 31
Since 1906, the Greensburg/Decatur County Chamber of Commerce has been a dynamic organization leading the way for growth and progress. At 301-members strong, the Chamber of Commerce continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the local economy and future of our community and area. We do this through programs and events and by providing business solutions, opportunities, and resources for our members and the communities we serve. The Chamber also works closely with organizations such as Decatur County Community Foundation, Decatur County Tourism, The Economic Development Corporation of Greensburg/Decatur County, and MainStreet Greensburg. The Greensburg/Decatur County Chamber of Commerce is proud to be the “Front Door” to our community and area.
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
09/13
Company Statistics 3,377 FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS
Facebook followership continues to grow for the Chamber, being a valuable resource for quick and up-to-date information for not only our Chamber members, but the community at-large as well.
>people 76,000reached FACEBOOK As the pandemic hit, the Chamber made a point to really up their social media presence. With that being said, there were six posts which reached more than 10,000 people, two of those reaching over 76,000!
hundreds INSTAGRAM/TWITTER GDC CHAMBER MEMBER DECATUR COUNTY FAMILY YMCA CONTINUED TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EXTENSIVE MEAL SERVICES DURING THE SHUTDOWN
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
Followers continue to rise on our two other major social media platforms with Instagram surpassing 300 and Twitter over 100.
10/13
Past Award Winners
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
11/13
Sponsorship DIAMOND SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS ANNUAL REPORT 2020
12/13
2020
Annual Report GREENSBURG/DECATUR COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
GDC CHAMBER MEMBER IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE CONTINUES TO PLAY AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN FURTHERING THE EDUCATION OF DECATUR COUNTY STUDENTS.
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Greensburg/Decatur County Chamber of Commerce