STRATEGIC PLAN 2024

Executive Summary

The Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce (GACC) is a business and community institution with a long history of serving Greenville and surrounding municipalities. In 2024, the not-for-profit will be celebrating its 80th anniversary. The following strategic plan aims to propel our organization to new heights by fostering economic growth, innovation, and community engagement. The strategic plan outlines key initiatives to attract and support businesses, enhance workforce development, and leverage technology for sustainable growth.

An overarching theme of this strategic plan will be collaboration. In order to achieve the growth desired in this document, we will need to leverage resources and strengthen partnerships with Mercer County key players and development corporations. The ultimate goal is to refine our focus on growth by providing value to our members.

Lastly, the strategic plan recognizes the role of technology in shaping the future of businesses. The chamber aims to facilitate the adoption of digital tools and technologies among local businesses, providing them with the necessary resources and training to thrive in the evolving business landscape. This includes promoting e-commerce, digital marketing, and other technological advancements that can enhance the competitiveness of businesses in the Greenville area. Overall, the 2024 strategic plan positions the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce as a dynamic and proactive force in driving economic growth and community prosperity.

Mission, Purpose, and Values

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce is to provide leadership and to promote progressive, orderly community development, while maintaining a climate conducive to the continued economic, civic and educational progress of the Northern Mercer County area.

Purpose Statement

The overall objectives of the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce are: economic development, promotion of our community and making available information, both educational and tourist related. We strive to attract businesses that will complement our area, provide a suitable environment for expansion of existing business, and generally improve business conditions for all. We are directly involved in providing more jobs, improving education, keeping a watchful eye on government at all levels, transportation needs, and many other programs.

Proposed Values Statement

  1. Integrity: We uphold the highest standards of honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct in all our interactions. Integrity is the foundation of trust, and we are committed to maintaining the trust of our members, partners, and the community.

  2. Collaboration: We believe in the power of collaboration and recognize that working together amplifies our impact. We actively seek partnerships and foster a culture of inclusivity, valuing diverse perspectives and ideas that contribute to the collective success of our members and the community.

  3. Innovation: We embrace innovation as a catalyst for growth and progress. We encourage creativity and forward-thinking, adapting to changing environments and leveraging new technologies to provide cutting-edge solutions and opportunities for our members.

  4. Advocacy: We are dedicated advocates for our members, championing their interests at local and regional levels. We strive to create an environment that supports business growth and development.

  5. Service Excellence: Commitment to excellence is at the core of our service. We are dedicated to providing outstanding support, resources, and programs that meet the diverse needs of our members. Our focus is on delivering value and exceeding expectations.

  6. Community Engagement: We believe in the importance of giving back to the community we serve. Through active engagement and social responsibility, we aim to contribute to the well-being and prosperity of Northern Mercer County, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and community pride.

  7. Professionalism: We adhere to the highest standards of professionalism in all our interactions, communications, and operations. Our commitment to professionalism builds credibility and reinforces the reputation of our organization as a trusted and reliable partner in the business community.

S.W.O.T. Analysis

The S.W.O.T. analysis focuses on five major categories that include: Marketing & Advertising, Membership Sales, Fundraising Events, Services, and Community Development.

Strengths

  • Digital marketing and advertising has a growing reach and SEO performance is excellent. Our website and other digital marketing are up-to-date.

  • Our tiered system allows membership access to all types of businesses and organizations.

  • With just two major fundraising events, we do not flood our members with fundraising needs.

  • We provide excellent exposure for our members through digital marketing and event marketing.

  • We have taken on community activities that were offloaded from the borough or other organizations to maintain a sense of community pride.

Weaknesses

  • Although our digital presence performs well, we do not invest in digital advertising to take our reach to the next level.

  • Our membership is not equipped to explain the benefits of joining the chamber of commerce.

  • The membership committee has the smallest number of members.

  • With only two events, it is difficult to maintain a fresh exciting experience which helps with attendance.

  • The golf fundraiser is pigeonholed in its venue which limits our ability to control cost.

  • We are not active in providing advocacy and collective buy-in for our business members.

  • We rely heavily on volunteer participation to maintain our community development efforts when volunteerism is at an all time low.

Opportunities

  • Expand our reach through paid digital advertising and increase the number of video-based content.

  • Create regular membership campaigns that offer discounts and clear explanations of benefits.

  • Offer membership referral incentives.

  • Offer a dues subscription option.

  • Improve event marketing to maximize attendance.

  • Improve our ability to become the primary resource for business-to-business networking and connection.

  • Capitalize on chamber recognition for community work.

Threats

  • Misunderstanding of the purpose of the chamber can diminish our reach and impact.

  • Continued inflation will change spending habits and lead to lower membership retention rates and fewer event participants.

  • Over saturation of professional organizations available in the area compete with our growth.

  • Perception of irrelevancy continues to grow as digital platforms offer services globally.

  • Community members and organizations prioritize our involvement differently.

Goals & Objectives

Goal 1 - Grow Membership

Objectives:

  1. Increase Membership Committee members and participation.

  2. Launch a referral program for members (2024-2025 A/B testing on benefits offered for referrals).

  3. Create an 80th-anniversary campaign to capture 80 new members.

  4. Get every board member involved in the anniversary campaign.

  5. Conduct a membership survey and use feedback to steer any new service development or shift in day-to-day priorities.

Goal 3 - Leverage Partnerships

Objectives:

  1. Work with local service organizations in supporting community development efforts.

  2. Begin discussions with PNDC on organizational support and better cross-promotion.

  3. Invite other partners to a roundtable discussion. Partners include SBDC, PA CareerLink, GRDC, GAEDC, MCCC, Visit Mercer County…

Goal 2 - Develop Sustainability

Objectives:

  1. Launch a capital campaign to fund future building maintenance.

  2. Set sponsorship goals to improve event revenue.

  3. Create a special committee to focus on innovative opportunities that will help support necessary growth.

  4. Invite major investors for a roundtable discussion on sustainability.

Goal 4 - Define Community Development

Objectives:

  1. Make a complete list of current community responsibilities along with a prioritization and cost associated with the activities.

  2. Update the Greenville Economic Strategy 10-Year Recommendation matrix to more closely reflect how our organization can commit.

  3. Create a campaign to advertise the chamber's current activities and future plans with the community.

Membership Development

A stronger membership base means a stronger chamber. Roughly 60% of the chamber’s revenue comes from membership dues. Membership leads are primarily coming from membership committee members. The membership committee has the least amount of board members. The current members are Amanda Banic, Lori Goodlin, Joseph Ribley, Katy Cowie-Igersheim, JD Walton, and Brian Mailliard. In 2024, every board member will be equipped with membership recruitment materials. We will be launching an 80th-anniversary campaign with the goal of adding 80 new members to our roles. This campaign will include the following referral incentives:

Associate, Nonprofit, and Builder Members: 1 Event Sponsorship for Every Converted New Member
Mentor and Advocate Members: Level Up for Every Converted Member (up to Champion Level)

Membership leads are currently collected primarily from membership committee members. They are being entered into Trello, but a Google sheet will be created that can be shared with the board. Below is a membership zone map that can be used to create segments that can be targeted. The map includes 375 prospects that were captured simply by browsing Google Maps.

Zone 1

  1. West Side Deli

  2. Hairology by Molly

  3. Dollar General

  4. Jules Tavern

  5. Mercer County Trails Association

  6. Christian Assembly

  7. Greenville Auto Parts

  8. GHAC

  9. Advanced Bulk & Conveying

  10. Italian Home Club

  11. Yoder’s Storage

  12. First United Methodist

  13. Glamour Nails n Spa

  14. Kathy’s Kreations

  15. Ready Value Auto Sales

  16. Foxes Pizza Den

  17. Susan’s Beauty Parlor

  18. Life’s A Yarn

  19. Greenville Nutrition

  20. Leary Studio

  21. CDVL

  22. Your Town Realty

  23. Compadres Mexican Restaurant

  24. Holy Trinity

  25. American Legion

  26. Honest Amish

  27. Sheetz

  28. Beauty Thairapy

  29. First Presbyterian Church

  30. Diamond Nails

  31. Pizza Joe’s

  32. Domino’s Pizza

  33. Arby’s

  34. Rite Aid

  35. William J’s Emporium

  36. Mong Family Dentistry

  37. Nationwide Insurance Andrew Harcourt

  38. Giant Eagle Pharmacy

  39. Kytchak Chiropractic

  40. Country Fair

  41. O’Reilly Auto Parts

  42. AutoZone Auto Parts

  43. Pizza Hut

  44. Dairy Queen

  45. Mariner Finance

  46. Wendy’s

  47. Subway

  48. Aaron’s Furniture

  49. Greenville Eye Center

  50. McDonalds

  51. Dollar Tree

  52. China Gourmet

  53. ALDI

  54. Taco Bell

  55. Tractor Supply Co.

  56. Goodwill

  57. Hodge Foundry

Zone 2

  1. DiFrischia Recycling

  2. Greenville Dry Cleaning

  3. Knights of Columbus

  4. Buy Rite Auto Sales

  5. Advanced Power & Electric

  6. White Construction

  7. Hilltop Mini Barns

  8. Performance Collision

  9. Aqua Solutions

  10. First Church of God

  11. Creative Lee Repurposed

  12. Top Choice Roofing Service

  13. McCanns Powder Coat & Motor

  14. Victory Lane Automotive

  15. Greenville Granite & Stone

  16. Rolling Ridge Metals

  17. Greenville Sportsmens Club

  18. Stateline Bar & Grille

  19. Gaus Custom Care Products

  20. Yoder’s Hillside Construction

  21. LS Custom Butchering

  22. McClimans Tree Farm

  23. Jone’s Auto Wrecking

  24. Jasper Commercial Roofing

  25. Tuner Metal Products

  26. Purr-Effect Diesel

  27. Singing Wren Farm & Studio

  28. Bikes Express

  29. Thunder Equipment

  30. Hanson Automotive

  31. Big Run Maple Syrup

Zone 3

  1. Mad Mike’s Demo

  2. Deer Park

  3. Tanum’s Grille

  4. Countryside Veterinary

  5. Jamestown Volunteer Fire Dept.

  6. Douglas, Joseph, Olson

  7. Sunoco

  8. Last Minit Mart

  9. Byler’s Restaurant

  10. Dollar General

  11. Jamestown Presby

  12. Jamestown United Methodist

  13. Jamestown Community Fair

  14. Jamestown Lions Club

  15. Ernie’s Sharpening Shop

  16. The Gable Inn

  17. Walnut Creek Golf Course

  18. Jamestown Machinery

  19. Mortals Key Brewery

  20. Whispering Pines Greenhouse

  21. PBS Custom Canvas

  22. Wester Farm B&B

  23. Maple Grove Cabins

  24. Shangri-LA Campground

  25. Parkside Cottages

  26. Richter’s Bait & Grocery

  27. BrickStone Oven

  28. Troyer’s Home Improvement

  29. Saline River Music

Zone 4

  1. Rustic Occasions at McCurdy Farms

  2. Salem Hardwood

  3. Sparrow Hill

  4. Millers Metal Roof

  5. Miller’s Archery

  6. Wagler’s Seamless Gutters

  7. Swamp Acres Salvage

  8. County Line Cafe

  9. Wilhelm Winery

  10. Rainbow Valley

  11. Lana Mozes Tax Services

  12. Greenville Gymnastics Academy

  13. R&R Handyman Services

  14. Logo’s Taxidermy

  15. Shirley’s Notary Service

  16. Pennex Aluminum

  17. Apple Basket Florist

  18. David Fay Piano Service

  19. Patriot Performance Diesel Repair

  20. Roczko & Associates

  21. Be-Bop Garage

  22. Chess Termite & Pest Control

  23. Hadley Presby

  24. Papa Wheely’s Roller Rink

  25. Shipton’s Carpet

  26. Wilson’s Custom Polishing

  27. Mills Automotive

  28. Dailey’s Tax Service

  29. Country Cookie Barrel

  30. Hadley Storage

  31. Dave’s Auto & Diesel Repair

  32. Valley Can, Inc.

  33. John’s Auto Sales

  34. Icings by Linda

  35. Hadley Rod & Gun Club

  36. Rockhill Training Center

  37. Controlled Molding, Inc.

  38. Artman Insurance Agency

  39. Rice’s Auto Sales & More

  40. Rhonda’s Notary Services

  41. Robert Snyder Funeral Home

  42. Cup of Hope Cafe

  43. Double R Roofing

  44. Soltis Excavation

  45. Scofield’s Truck Accessories

  46. Fritz Auto & Truck Repair

  47. G-ma’s Take Out Home Cooking

  48. Deist Industries

  49. Bucks Fabricating

  50. The Swede Shop

  51. Temple’s Portable Crushing'

  52. Windy Acres Grooming

  53. Byler’s Countryside Greenhouse

  54. SJ Crimson

Zone 5

  1. BPI, Inc.

  2. Lang’s Barn Recycling

  3. BridgeWorks Bar & Grille

  4. Whispering Pines Veterinary

  5. Liszka Meats

  6. Hoovler Volkswagen Repair

  7. Chatfield Drilling

  8. Fredonia Tire Company

  9. Derr Industries

  10. Denny’s Gun Repair

  11. Dog Gone Doodles

  12. Ralphs Gun Works

  13. River of Life Campground

  14. Integrated Fabrication

  15. Fifty Acre Flowers

  16. Respond Enterprises

  17. The Gourmet Crouton

  18. Woodcraft Manufacturing

  19. Arrow Electric

  20. Industrial Robotix

  21. Advanced Particulate Tech

  22. America’s Basement Contractor

  23. Clean World Industries

  24. Cronimet Specialty Metals

  25. Cross IT Services

  26. Curry Chemical Solutions

  27. Disanto Jet Gas

  28. Dunrite Auto Repair

  29. Ferguson Greenville Steel

  30. Fox Containers

  31. Greenville Health Products

  32. Greenville Wood Products

  33. Hartman Stainless

  34. Interlink Recovery Services

  35. Lowry Mobile Comm

  36. P T Communications

  37. Pacific Pride

  38. Pacific Rainbow International East

  39. Pymatuning Telephone

  40. R.D. Veneer, Inc.

  41. Reynolds Building Systems

  42. RJR Alloys Inc.

  43. Swingle’s Automotive Service

  44. Virtual Can Systems

  45. Route 18 Auto Sales

  46. Del Fratte’s Landscaping

  47. Rowe’s Auto Parts

  48. U’ll Scream

  49. Vestal’s Automotive

  50. Rock Paper Shears

  51. Transfer Flea & Farm Market

  52. Sparkle Market

  53. Reynolds Bowling Lanes

  54. Edgewood Hospital

  55. Transfer Harvest Home Fair

  56. Greenawalt Excavating

  57. Team Willow

  58. The Jug Handle

  59. Central Community Church

  60. Brass Lantern

  61. Transfer Performance Machine

  62. Kerola’s Campers

  63. Kim’s Hair Care

  64. Reynolds VFW

  65. Endeavour Creative Co.

  66. WEB Discount Guns

  67. Trep Systems

  68. Young Slate Roofing

  69. Bhaani Consulting

  70. Air Assault Airsoft

  71. 1866 Auto

  72. R & T Country Boarding Kennel

  73. Morningstar Undercoating

  74. Temple Grove

  75. Bill’s Archery Center

  76. Birchwood Kennels

  77. Adventure Bound Camping Resorts

Zone 6

  1. J & J Rolloffs

  2. Hittle Auto Supply

  3. Wagner’s Wheel Alinement

  4. McElhinny Brothers Construction

  5. One More Bite Bait

  6. Liberty Roofing Pros

  7. Jon L Auto Sales

  8. Amy’s Hair Styling

  9. Celebrity Bowl

  10. Brown’s Towing & Repair

  11. Chase Vinyl Works

  12. Fulton Plumbing Wiring & Heating

  13. Allen Communications

  14. SMD Custom Cabinets

  15. Micskey Excavating

  16. Envision Ministries

  17. Laubscher Cheese

  18. Hovis Auto Body & Restoration

  19. Ses Wood Products

  20. Byler’s Trophy Buck Blinds

  21. Fairview Swiss Cheese

  22. Ben’s Engine Repair

  23. A Mac Gregor Automotive

  24. Byler’s Replacement Windows

  25. Melvin Acres Boer Goats

  26. Backroads Dog Grooming

  27. Bayer Engineering

  28. DryTech Basement Waterproofing

  29. Petrus Engineering

  30. Gruver Productions

  31. Phoenix CPAs

  32. Camping with Horses Solutions & Products

  33. Byler’s Oak & Rustic Furniture

  34. Croswell Canvas

  35. Sundance Arena

  36. White Rock Silica Sand

  37. Stull’s Refrigeration

  38. Clean Start Services

  39. Stony Point Grange

  40. Shelters Supplies Amish Hardware

  41. Mt. Hempfield Chiropractic

  42. Circle Z Bar Ranch

  43. Aunt Ginny’s Diner

  44. Buchanan Kitchen & Bath

  45. Keystone Tar Chip Paving

  46. Johnston’s Stainless Exhaust

  47. Custom Auto Finish

Zone 7

  1. Cozy Oaks RV Resort

  2. Waglers Camp Perry

  3. Tractor Brothers

  4. Landpro Equipment

  5. Brazen Contracting

  6. Tip-Top Tree Service

  7. Hadley Seed Farm

  8. Pilgram Farms

  9. Powell Grain

  10. Flat Roof Coatings

  11. McJunkin Roll Offs

  12. Time & Again

  13. Detwiler Footwear & Herbs

  14. SJA Tansport

  15. Coblentz Builders

  16. Stoneboro Fair Association

  17. Thomas Kosick DMD

  18. Styling U

  19. T N J Carward

  20. Stoneboro Beer Distributor

  21. Dye’s Service

  22. Earl J’s

  23. McCullough’s Ice Cream Shop

  24. Anchors Away

  25. Brother’s Screen Printing

  26. Bo’s Boat Service

  27. McKean’s Shurfine

  28. Flexospan Steel Buildings

  29. CTC Packaging

  30. Kristyak Korner

  31. Tobey’s Pizza

  32. Mercer County State Bank

  33. Montgomery Insurance

  34. Sandy Lake Mills

  35. Keystone Water Systems

  36. Anderson Insurance Group

  37. Elite Studios

  38. Spiegel’s Flooring

  39. Jud’s Beauty Shop

  40. Willetts Stone Contracting

  41. Crosby’s Wicked Wrench Auto Repair

  42. Cody’s Auto Repair Service

  43. Sandy Lake Implement

  44. Kepners Farm Market

  45. Cart Corral

  46. Don Hicks Auto Services

  47. Homeowners Bargain Outlet

  48. Country Corner RV Park

  49. Grantham’s Landing

  50. Kings Machine

  51. Three Sisters Permaculture Design

  52. Windy Knoll Grocery

  53. Wimer Fuel Injection

  54. Sturgin Poultry Processing

  55. West-Penn Concessions

  56. Stone Cabin Floral

  57. Huffman Autobody

  58. Countryside Greenhouse

  59. Harry’s Honey Pot

  60. Lisa Sernik Beauty Shoppe

  61. Wagler’s Style Stop

  62. Byler Variety

  63. Hapeman Electronics

  64. West Penn Storage

  65. Griffin Arms

  66. Big Dog RC

  67. McCullough’s Kitchen Table

  68. Lakeview Fertilizer

  69. J& J Sauer Southern Auto Part

  70. Medberry’s Patch Event Venue

  71. Faith Home Furnishings

  72. Pub 76

  73. Quillen Cafe

  74. Charlie Drew Barber Shop

  75. The Alternative Heat

  76. Campbell’s Heating & Cooling

  77. Jane’s Stromboli

  78. Schlabach Commercial Roofing & Restoration

  79. Hemlock Lumber

  80. Goddard Park VacationLand Campground

Marketing & Communications

This year we will be focusing heavily on building data to help measure ROI on our advertising focus. We will include QR codes to help measure printed marketing conversions and increase our activity in paid digital marketing across our social media platforms. We will continue to monitor and implement changes to ensure the best possible SEO performance of our website. We will advertise the Monday Insider & Monthly Newsletter to increase readership.

Quarterly Reports will be provided to the BOD and an annual report will be made available to our membership.

Financial Plan

Record Argus
Directory 395.00
Grapes & Grolwers 285.00
Meet Me on Main 285.00
Halloween 285.00
Small Business Saturday 285.00
Christmas Parade 285.00
Squarespace
All Events & Promotions 588.00
Facebook
Grapes & Growlers 200.00
Meet Me on Main 200.00
Halloween 50.00
Small Business Saturday 250.00
Christmas 50.00
Membership 250.00
Eclipse 100.00
Recreation Expo 250.00
Youtube
General Promotion 500.00
Total 4,258.00
Rent Income 9,300.00
Dues - Current Yr 70,000.00
Interest Income 20.00
Community Promo 2000.00
Fundraising 28,000.00
Total Income 109,320.00

Tech 1,000.00
DReal Estate Taxes 3,000.00
Equipment Rental 2,100.00
Wages 52,500.00
Advertising 4,500.00
Janitorial 500.00
Postage 600.00
Office Supplies 1,200.00
Insurance 4,700.00
Bldg Maintenance 2,000.00
Treasurer 1,500.00
Travel & Mtgs 400.00
Member Drive 300.00
Payroll Taxes 4,500.00
Miscellaneous 200.00
Community Promo 500.00
Fundraising 20,000.00
Total Expenses 107,500.00
Net Income 1,820.00

2023 Marketing/Advertising $

2024 Marketing/Advertising $

Implementation Plan

January - February

  1. Create 80th Anniversary Membership Campaign

  2. Launch Referral Program

  3. Conduct Membership Survey

  4. Set Event Sponsorship Goals

  5. Make List of Community Responsibilities and Update 10-Year Matrix

  6. Invite PNDC for Support and Cross Promotion Discussion

March - April

  1. Create a Special Christmas Committee

  2. Invite Major Investors for a Roundtable on Sustainability

  3. Invite Business Services Partners for Leveraging Partnership Discussion

May - June

  1. Launch Capital Campaign

  2. Invite Service Organizations Together for a Discussion on Leveraging Partnerships

  3. June BOD Meeting Review of Strategic Plan

APPENDIX

APPENDIX

2024 Membership Survey Results

Do you participate in any of these chamber events? (10 Responses)

Actual 2023 Participation

If you do not participate in Chamber functions, please indicate why. (9 Responses)

Other reasons given:

  1. My health has kept me limited to doing more than just running my business. In the past I attended.

  2. Conflicts with our operating hours, and not enough staff to send someone.

  3. I live in Mercer and commute to Greenville every day for work. I don't want to do it on the weekends also. I'd rather attend events during the work day.

What is the best time of day for you to attend events/workshops? (11 Responses)

Would you benefit from a monthly subscription option for paying dues? (10 Responses)

What are the top issues facing your business today? (11 Responses)

What is your preferred method of receiving communications from the Chamber? (12 Responses)

Would you like to receive Text reminders from the Chamber of Commerce? (12 Responses)

What would you like to see added to the weekly e-blast? (3 responses, 3 commented they were satisfied)

  1. Picture of members and businesses.

  2. IT tidbit - like a “did you know” related to technology.

  3. Reminder of various members, just a little blurb.

What additional services would you like to see the Chamber offer to better support your business? (3 responses, 2 commented they were satisfied)

  1. Connections for expansion.

  2. Better advertising for events, have events on a monthly basis.

  3. More creative ways to market businesses to the community, more specific networking functions (i.e. it’s been hard for me as a new counselor finding connections with other resources in the community such as doctors, other counselors, social services, etc.)

What educational topics would be of most value to your business? (5 Responses)

  1. Marketing

  2. Technology/Social Media

  3. Social Media Marketing

  4. Employee Recruiting & Retention Strategies

  5. HR

Is there anything else you would like to see the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce do that has not been addressed in this survey? (2 Responses)

  1. More focus on small business retention and bringing in new small businesses, rather than fundraising and social events.

  2. Reach out personally more to businesses. In the past it relies on us getting involved which I get but we as business owners, many with families, have little time to reach out ourselves but could fit in time if someone reached out to us…