Join the Chamber

Invest in your business, your community: Join the Cook County Chamber of Commerce 

It was just eight years ago when the Cook County Chamber of Commerce came into being. We've had a big impact in those years.

We  have grown from 40 members to more than 160 and become a powerful presence for good in the Cook County community. Before the Chamber, the community was pulled in many different directions. We pull the community together while respecting different voices.

We make things happen, often as the catalyst, supporter, encourager, convenor behind good ideas that other organizations then develop. 
 
The credit goes to our members. Everything we do depends on their willingness to be dues-paying members and their faith that we will work hard for our community with the resources they provide. Here is a partial list of what we have accomplished in the Chamber's short life, all reasons why civic-minded businesses and individuals should consider joining and becoming part of this powerful movement.

 A Voice in St. Paul: We devote fully one-third of our resources to ensuring that Cook County is well represented at the Minnesota Legislature. Our efforts have advanced Cook County’s interests across a broad spectrum of issues, plus helped secure millions in state funding for projects ranging from the Chik Wauk Museum to the Gitchi-Gami State Trail and annual state funding for Cook County Higher Ed. Few communities are as effectively represented in St. Paul as Cook County.

A Voice in Grand Marais: The Chamber ensures its members have a voice at the table when the topic under discussion is an updated county land use plan, updating the city comp plan, writing a comprehensive county trails plan, reconstruction of Highway 61, etc.

Listening to the Community: When the Dollar General issue arose, Chamber members wanted to make their feelings known. The Chamber worked hard to ensure community members were alerted to opportunities to speak their mind and that city officials would respectfully hear them out.

Giving voice to business concerns:  If you have issues with government, we are there to advocate on your behalf, whether your issue is septic regulation, a flooding parking lot or the need for public bathrooms.

Celebrating business: Each fall, we honor an entrepreneur of the year, a business of the year and community business leader of the year. By extension, we seek to recognize the essential contribution every business makes to  the life of our community. And we do it at a fall gala celebration that has become THE event of the fall season.

Celebrating and serving our community: We seek to affirm our community in many ways. One of the most popular is sponsoring the Great Place Project. Each year we use funds to support small grants for individuals, businesses and community groups that propose creating small great places. Everything we do is carefully designed to build, support and celebrate our community. As we start our seventh year, the board and staff of the Chamber  thank you  for the opportunity to serve.

Dues Recommendations

Businesses, Non-Profits, Personal, and Other Entities:

*”FTE” means “full time equivalent.”  FTE’s is calculated by dividing (i) total hours worked annually  by all staff  by 2080 hours. Or to get a ballpark estimate, count each full-time staff member and every two part-time staff members as 1 FTE.

Personal (non-business memberships) are described as the Membership Level: Individual 

If the dues level indicated for your enterprise appears unaffordable, pledge an amount with which  you are comfortable.
 

Membership Levels

☐          Individual - $150                                                 Individual

☐          Level 1 - $295                                                     1 – 5 FTE

☐          Level 2 - $390                                                     5 – 10 FTE

☐          Level 3 - $600                                                     11 – 20 FTE

☐          Level 4 - $900                                                     20 -29 FTE

☐          Level 5 –$1,500 - $5,000                                     30+  FTE

☐          Non-Profit                          50% off of the FTE Schedule (please indicate how many FTE you have)

Sponsorship Opportunities: hosting a Chamber Connect (10 available a year); hosting a Chamber Exchange (6 available per year); be VIP Sponsor of the Fall Gala. For details, contact admin@cookcountychamber.org; 218.264.0713

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