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Radford Chamber touts reach, council approves $14,000 MOU for 2025'26
Summary
The Radford Chamber of Commerce presented its 2024 annual report highlighting social-media reach and membership work; council approved a memorandum of understanding with the chamber for $14,000 for the July 1, 2025 ' June 30, 2026 term, a reduction from the chamber's usual $18,000 request.
The Radford Chamber of Commerce presented its 2024 annual report to Radford City Council on May 1, and council voted to adopt a one-year memorandum of understanding that will provide $14,000 to the chamber for July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
"We have a huge reach on Facebook — just shy of 250,000 — and our views are over a half million," Dan McKinney, director of the Radford Chamber of Commerce, told council during a slide presentation on the chamber's year of events and member outreach.
McKinney described efforts to increase collaboration with neighboring chambers, expand member spotlights, run leadership seminars and produce a stronger social-media presence. He said about 30% of the chamber's Facebook audience is local to Radford and roughly 70% is outside the city, meaning promotions reach both residents and potential visitors.
On funding, McKinney said the chamber typically requests $18,000 from the city, including $4,000 earmarked for the Festival of Lights. Chamber board members proposed reducing the city contribution to $14,000 this year; the council voted to adopt the MOU with the reduced amount and to revisit the level of support later.
Why it matters: The chamber said its programs and promotions are intended to support small businesses in Radford through ribbon cuttings, networking (business-or-breakfast and after-hours events), tourism partnerships and member outreach. Council members emphasized the chamber's role in economic development and downtown revitalization.
Council and chamber representatives also discussed a draft campaign of business seminars, a proposed multi-chamber "5 after 5" networking/golf event series and advertising opportunities at city recreation facilities. The council accepted the MOU and said any required appropriation adjustments would be handled later in the budget process.
Speakers at the presentation included Dan McKinney (director), Abram Williams (board president), Rachel Doyle (new board member and business owner) and several council members who asked about advertising and event outreach.
