By Scott Cook
October 28, 2020
What does the Chamber think? I get this question a lot. Why? Because business leaders, and community members, want to know how the Longmont Chamber feels about issues that impact their daily lives. This is why we’ve developed a strong Advocacy program.
The Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce has had some form of advocacy effort in place since its founding over 130 years ago. Our goal has remained the same. We speak on behalf of business in order to represent their interests and to ensure that our entire community benefits by having a healthy business climate.
The Chamber believes that the health, comfort, security, and overall well-being of Longmont depends on vibrant local and regional commerce. We support a dynamic job base that encourages entrepreneurship and the success of established businesses in our community. Our positions are based on the following core values:
Education and Workforce Development
The Chamber believes education is crucial to the support of a local economy. We support broad based educational opportunities that provide students with experience and professional skills for occupations that both interest them and provide economic opportunity. In addition, we support the specialization of skills needed in a competitive global workforce.
Energy and Environment
We support a balance of energy enterprises that provide accessible and reliable energy that while creating jobs, is environmentally responsible and has a long-term approach that does not create significant cost or reliability burdens to local businesses.
Transportation and Infrastructure
We support multi-modal transportation options providing quality accessibility for all Longmont residents. Transportation and infrastructure initiatives should provide clearly defined visions with defined solutions and achievable timelines that support workforce mobility and career opportunities.
Taxes and Regulations
We believe in equitable taxation and business regulation that can be used as a strategic investment in pursuing quality of life providing a net positive for the local economy. It is critical that taxation and regulation proposals, when implemented, have measurable timelines and objectives.
Throughout the year we spend a great deal of time researching and discussing potential legislation being proposed including speaking with elected officials, consulting with our partner organizations, and listening to the thoughts, needs and concerns expressed by our members and the community at large. We seek to understand fully the ramifications of each issue, and to advocate in a positive manner on behalf of our constituents.
Over the past several years, we’ve become more involved than ever before, and our efforts are paying off. Others actively seek our support and endorsements. Our opinion matters. Concerns, when expressed, are often addressed, thus leading to solutions that are more equitable and thoughtful.
Next month and even now with mail-in voting, voters will decide a number of issues. Some will directly impact the lives of those in our community. We have worked diligently to research and understand the impact of several of these important issues on business. Presentations from those in favor and in opposition have taken place. Questions have been asked and answered. Discussions have taken place. We want to share our positions with others.
Our Public Policy Committee and Board of Directors are recommending the following positions on issues facing voters November 3:
We encourage interested individuals to visit our website to review these positions, and others taken over the past year. Visit longmontchamber.org/advocacy