Chamber program to boost business morale

In the throes of a turbulent economy, the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce &Visitors Authority is hoping a single word will unite and fortify local businesses.

That word is WHOLE, an acronym for We're Helping Our Local Economy, and the name of a new conceptual campaign to boost economic morale.

Bill Chernock, executive director of the chamber, said the idea came from a simple conversation.

"A couple of members got together, after seeing some storefronts empty, and chatted among themselves," he said. "The outcome of their conversation was that there could be more business-to-business activity in Carson Valley."

On Wednesday, Chernock introduced the program to his members, but said nonmembers may also participate.

"We're starting with the chamber members, but it's not limited to the chamber," he said. "It's important enough that every business in the community should get involved."

Chernock said WHOLE is a volunteer program and doesn't cost anything. Businesses simply apply and pledge to follow the program's four tenets: purchase business supplies and services locally whenever possible; provide excellent customer service; offer the most competitive pricing possible; and patronize local businesses as consumers whenever possible.

"It's a simple concept " asking businesses to become partners," Chernock said.

"To think twice about where we're spending our money. If we take care of each other, everything comes out ahead."

Chernock said every dollar spent in the community produces a ripple effect.

"When you spend a dollar in town, it circulates about seven times," he said.

He said the next step is printing stickers of the program's planetary logo to put up in business windows.

"We hope to have the decals show up on windows in the next week or two," he said. "Maybe consumers will recognize the commitment a business has made to the community and will patronize that business.

"When you listen to the discussion about what's going on in the economy, whether it's people at the lunch counter or the talking heads on CNBC, they attribute it to a lack of confidence. We hope this improves the attitude of our consumer public and makes people feel better about going out and doing their shopping."

For more information about WHOLE, contact the chamber at 782-8144.