Morrison Chamber of Commerce

  • Morrison Chamber of Commerce

    With a focus on business, the Morrison Chamber of Commerce serves its members and the community by supporting and promoting Morrison, building relationships, structure and events that unite the community. Get more information about the benefits of joining the chamber on our "Join the Chamber" page. If you have any questions, please call our office at (815) 772-3757.

  • Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner

    The weather cooperated; food was great; speaker was interesting; mood was light; and the company was pretty good too. The Morrison Chamber of Commerce held their Annual Dinner and Meeting on Feb. 4, 2010 at Cross Creek Golf Course. The dinner was well attended by a group as diverse as the businesses and organizations they represent and also by age and gender, as noted by our guest speaker. Hopefully, we can hold more of these unifying events either through business hosted "Business After Hours" or as Chamber sponsored gatherings. Call the Chamber Office if you would like to set a date! The keynote speaker was Dr. Norm Walzer, founder of the Western Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, where he was also a professor of economics. Currently, he is the Senior Research Scholar for NIU Center for Governmental Studies. Dr. Walzer spoke on Revitalizing Local Economies: Opportunities in the Morrison Area. His presentation focused on statistical analysis of trends, region snapshots, and strategies and steps to take for economic growth. While those in attendance may have made different inferences, here are some of the key points in identifying possible markets and ideas for economic growth that I heard: Communities where Morrison residents work are Morrison (546), followed by Clinton, Iowa (219), Sterling (127), and Fulton (77). Communities where those who work in Morrison live are Morrison (546), Sterling (108), Rock Falls (91), and Fulton (81). Residents of a community 65 and older are the best group to shop local; they prefer to stay in their own community to have their needs met instead of having to drive outside of the community. Most business growth in Whiteside County is in businesses with 10-90 employees, followed by 1-9 employees; Businesses with 100 or more employees are in decline. Most business growth in Whiteside County is in businesses that have been in business 5-10 years. Types of start-up businesses for growth potential are retail trade, followed by wholesale trade, and then services. To prepare Morrison for revitalization, we need to develop community events and festivals; develop family activities and infrastructure; develop financial incentives for new/existing businesses to thrive; focus on educational opportunities for children and youth; and develop and conduct a marketing promotion. For businesses looking to expand they need to identify possible new markets and upgrade business websites. Communities and businesses need to plan for succession of a successful business when owners are nearing retirement.

  • Think Local, Shop Local, Morrison First

    Americans everywhere are feeling the pain of the recession and Morrison is no different. Homeowners are unable to make their mortgage payments, employees are losing their jobs, consumers are spending less, and more children than ever are eligible for reduced lunches in our schools. Now more than ever it’s important to seriously consider how and where we are spending our money and what return it is giving. Many people give little consideration to the choice of spending their money locally or out of town. The idea of burning a couple gallons of gas, the wear and tear on the vehicle, and the time it takes are given little concern when driving out of town for a slight, if any savings. Granted, there are some things that are not available for purchase in Morrison, but there are many items and services available at competitive prices, which also provide added bonuses to our community. When you purchase at a locally owned business, approximately 80% of that money is kept right here in Morrison; it creates local employment and self-employment. That business where you spent your money often purchases from other local businesses such as accountants, suppliers, insurers, legal services, skilled trades, etc. They, in turn, have money to spend at other local businesses such as restaurants, beauty shops, and gift shops. It is a healthy cyclical movement that depends on where we make our purchases to survive. Shopping local also increases the tax base through the retail sales tax. This provides our city with a revenue source for capital projects, road repairs & maintenance, parks, recreation, and police, which translates into a safer community, employment opportunities, and a better quality of life for the citizens of Morrison. Local businesses are also usually more generous in their time, support, and in-kind contributions of local charities, schools, fundraisers, and community events. Numerous events such as the Halloween Parade, Paint the Town, school enrichment and extracurricular programs wouldn’t happen without the sponsorship of local businesses. Because of the generosity and involvement of our local businesses, Morrison is a better place to live and raise a family. So the next time you get in your car for a shopping trip, remember a dollar spent locally has a return on investment to you, your children, and your community many times over. By shopping in Morrison, you can help to create a strong, vibrant local economy during these challenging economic times. Think Local, Shop Local First, Morrison First!

  • Upcoming Events

    • Morrison Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting on Feb 23 2010 12:00 PM
       
    • Hospice of the Rock River Valley Volunteer Training Begins on Mar 09 2010 07:00 PM
       
    • Morrison Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting on Mar 23 2010 12:00 PM
       
    • Guys and Dolls at Woodlawn Arts Academy on Apr 23 2010 07:00 PM
       
    • The Whiteside Forum Annual Conference begins on April 23 and ends on Apr 24 2010
       
    • Guys and Dolls at Woodlawn Arts Academy on Apr 24 2010 02:00 PM
       
    • Guys and Dolls at Woodlawn Arts Academy on Apr 24 2010 07:00 PM
       
    • 8th Annual Hospice of the Rock River Valley Memorial Golf Outing on Jun 25 2010 12:00 AM