By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
The Clay County Chamber of Commerce was established in June 1989.
According to Clay County Chamber Executive Director Jim Rich, they receive between 4,000 and 5,000 visitors each year.
“About two thirds are visitors to the area, while the others are those conducting business with the chamber,” Rich said.
The chamber’s website stays even busier. “Traffic varies greatly but usually about 10,000 hits annually,” Rich explained. “The pages viewed most are: Community Calendar, our Member Directory and of course, Punkin Chunkin.”
Clay County residents and others in the area get to enjoy two annual events put on by the chamber and both are open to the public. The Freedom Festival and parade is held every Fourth of July. The patriotic event represents small-town America at its finest.
The other big event is the annual Punkin Chunkin and Chili Cook-off has been an October favorite among many people, both local residents and visitors.
Rich mentioned another fund-raiser. “Last year we did our first Jail-and-Bail Fundraiser and should have another upcoming this spring.”
When asked about some of the things the chamber does for its members, Rich replied. “First and foremost, we promote our members through their community events and referrals. We publish a weekly newsletter for members as well as promote members on Facebook. We publish a free resource — our business directory that we distribute to area businesses as well has to anyone that comes into our office as a resource.”
He continued, “In addition, we host monthly social events called Business After Hours, for our members and we have an annual dinner. We also submit a monthly newspaper article.”
“In simple terms most chamber functions fall under the executive director,” Rich shared. “However, the part-time employees maintain our website and billing. The bookkeeper does our accounting.”
Rich said the chamber has three volunteers who each bring valuable expertise to their roles.
Volunteers play an important role at the chamber. “I could use a couple more volunteers,” Rich said. “If interested, they can contact me.”
“We strive to assist everyone that we can,” he said. “I talk with many people who want to know more about things they can do while they are visiting the area. Be that where can they eat or where can they find the best places to hike or view wildlife. We also help with giving directions to those areas.
Rich said there have been several new residents in the past few years. There are also several who want to relocate to the area. “We try to help them as much as we can,” he said. “Most of those questions are related to healthcare, Internet availability and snowfall.”
To contact the chamber call: (828) 389-3704; visit: claychambernc.com or stop by and say hello at 96 Sanderson St
It is just down from the Hayesville Post Office at the corner of the Hayesville Square. Chamber hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; closed Sundays.
Rich’s email is: director@claychambernc.com. Follow the chamber on Facebook: facebook.com/claychambernc.