As the Antioch Chamber of Commerce celebrates our 75th Anniversary this year we have tightened our belts fiscally and laser focused our vision to create an environment where we can be a major force for good to help our community and our members. Last year we created the Acronym PAGE to further instill that focus- Promote the Community, Advocate for Business, Growth of our local business, and Economic Development. Through this Mission our Chamber has become a Chamber of Action.
1. Promote the Community– Every year the Chamber of Commerce promotes the positive that is taking place in the city of Antioch. The annual Gala Dinner celebrates and recognizes Antioch Citizens that have served our community, businesses that have given back in positive ways and students that have excelled and represent a positive end product from our local schools. The State of the City, A Celebration of Antioch, and the future Showcase of the Schools give our elected officials, Chief of Police and Superintendent of Schools the opportunity to address the community and lay out plans for future growth.
2. Advocate for Business with Government– Starting and running any business is a difficult task that requires huge amounts of time and effort. Seventy-five percent of Start Ups risk their time and money and fail, with twenty-five percent of those failing within the first year. As businesses start they come upon regulations and red tape, some of which makes absolutely no sense and create obstacles too large to overcome. The Antioch Chamber’s philosophy is to change red tape to red carpet. As a Chamber and a city we need to help our businesses to understand and overcome the regulations that are needed for the safety of the people and to work on removing and changing regulations and laws that are outdated and needless hindrances to starting a business.
3. Growth of our Local Businesses– the Antioch Chamber of Commerce is constantly looking for positive ways to help create more opportunities for our businesses to benefit and grow. We give our new and existing members direct access to a Small Business Information Library, contacts with free consultants in marketing, accounting, expansion and access to loans. Every month the Chamber hosts Networking opportunities to expand connections, marketing mastermind groups, and community educational sessions to learn more about opportunities in our community. Techpalooza is a yearly event put on by The Antioch Chamber of Commerce which brings technology company representatives to East Contra Costa to teach attendees ways to grow by better utilizing and implementing the technology of today and tomorrow.
4. Economic Development and Job Creation- Completion of Highway 4 and ebart will create incredible opportunities with greater access in Antioch and East Contra Costa County and increase higher paying jobs and economic vitality here at home. More jobs in Antioch will decrease commutes and create more time to spend at home with the family. The time to strategically plan for the completion of the highway is now. The Antioch Chamber of Commerce is spearheading an effort entitled EC²(East Contra Costa):The Collaborative which has brought cities, county and special districts together to create a cooperative regional strategy to put ourselves in a position to be ready to bring in the jobs that are necessary. We are creating the contacts, the network, and the strategy that will help create a bright future for Antioch.
Please join our Chamber of Action. Our members and sponsors enable us to help our community to be a better place to live. We are accomplishing this work on reduced budgets with limited resources but dedicated staff and volunteers. Our efforts are ongoing and we are always looking for volunteers and members to increase our resources and enhance our productivity. Associate members are community members that support the work of the chamber but don’t have their own business. We welcome all businesses and associate members that support us in our mission. If you would like to become a member check us out online at www.antiochchamber.com or call the office at 925-757-1800. Thanks for helping us make Antioch a better place to live.