...punctuated the remarks of Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce President Dave Perry in his annual update to the town Council at last week’s Oro Valley town Council meeting. “The visitors are back.” Membership in the Chamber has increased: Just about a dozen or so fewer members than pre-pandemic. Add to this very successful business visits, attended by Perry, at least one member of the Town Council, and town staff member Margie Adler.
A number of successful programs
Perry reviewed some of the successes of the programs that the Chamber has undertaken in the past year. "OV Safe Steps” was done in collaboration with the town. It resulted in the distribution of federal funds to help businesses through the pandemic. He also mentioned a grant from Purina of $10,000 to uPetsia, one of the town's start up companies located in the Center For Innovation in Innovation Park. He highlighted a January Business Summit. Referring to council: "A number of you attended.” Perry talked about the Oro Valley Mapping Guide: “We distributed about 16,000 copies throughout Oro Valley and beyond.
All of this despite the huge disappointment of Best Buy closing in our Valley. “That hurts me personally," noted Perry. “No. Best Buy's never been a member of our Chamber. Never will be a member. I get it. But I don't like seeing a business loss like that and 43 people work at Best Buy. Now they do business in our community… but that's 43 jobs that we're going to lose and it troubles me greatly.”
Be a community champion
Perry is a champion of the community. “When people say to me: How can I help the Chamber. I say one thing. Say nice things. Say nice things about the Chamber. Say nice things about the community. There's all kinds of negative energy out there; but if people say positive things about what we do as a Chamber and what our community represents, you can't believe how far that goes.”
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About the Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce is one of the town’s main vehicles for reaching the business community. Council President Dave Perry, an Oro Valley resident, leads a team of 3+ individuals. They are also Oro Valley residents. The Chamber’s focuses on supporting the business community. The Chamber receives $40,000 from the town for promoting econimc growth; and, from time time, is compensated for doing specific project work on behalf of the town.
About the Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce
