Central Chamber reports membership growth, says 'Shop Central' drove $227,000 in local spending

Miranda Denicola, executive director of the Central Chamber of Commerce, told the City Council on Jan. 28 that the chamber gained 39 new investors last year and has seven new investors so far this year.

Denicola said the chamber has supported multiple events in partnership with the city — including a fall festival, a 5K and a pancake cook-off — and provides networking, ribbon cuttings and training to local businesses. She said the fall events draw hundreds to thousands of participants: the 5K and fun run bring “around 600 participants” and the pancake cook-off draws “over 2,000 people.”

On the Shop Central campaign, Denicola told the council the program had 42 participating businesses and generated about $227,000 in spending at those businesses. She said the campaign produced $5,685.62 for Central schools, $4,548 for the city and $3,411 for Central infrastructure. She also described the chamber’s scholarship programs — four scholarships (public TOPS, private TOPS, a technical scholarship and an “overcomer” scholarship) — and said the chamber received 64 applicants last year.

Denicola encouraged council members to attend chamber events, mentioned an upcoming Mardi Gras ball and an investor luncheon, and said the chamber will continue to partner with the city to promote business growth.

Why it matters: The chamber’s programs and partnerships link local businesses, events and school fundraising to city-sponsored promotions that affect municipal economic activity and visibility for small businesses.

The council did not take action on chamber items; the presentation was an informational report to the council.