Northam Chamber of Commerce has big changes on way

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The Northam Chamber of Commerce has been undergoing major changes in the last 18 months which are becoming visible to the outer community.

Earlier this year, the chamber put a business case forward to at the Northam Shire Budget Meeting and succeeded in having the differential rate paid to the Northam Chamber of Commerce.

“The business case was centred on the chamber being able to employ a full time executive officer,” Northam Chamber of Commerce president Paul Tomlinson said. 

“Sharon Luggett-Hassell who had served the Chamber with great dignity for some time chose not to apply.”

He said Esther Bliss was chosen to be chief executive officer from a quality field of applicants.

Ms Bliss said she is excited about her new role and the future of the Northam Chamber of Commerce. 

“We need to show that Northam is a really great place to have a small business,”  she said. 

“The support you get – we need to spread the message by word of mouth.

“We are trying to get as much engagement as we can through through social media.”

Ms Bliss said she is happy to be approached by anybody who has questions. 

Another big change is the new office the Chamber has recently opened on 160 Fitzgerald Street.

Ms Bliss said the office will be a meeting point for local businesses.

Mr Tomlinson said the Chamber wanted to connect the business community and the Northam Shire. 

“We now have a great presence on the street to conduct our business,” he said. 

“We are there to help people interact with government.

“It will be the go to place.

“We are feeling very positive about the move.

“It’s value adding to what this town has and can offer.”

He said they would also help new businesses transition into the community. 

Mr Tomlinson said there have been a few board changes recently. 

He said Amanda Marshall and Maren Lavery recently resigned from board member positions. 

Clara Watson and Andrew Quin have both been appointed in their places.