PEMBROKE — The Pembroke Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture recently announced the formation of its nonprofit Foundation.
The activities and programs of the Pembroke Chamber of Commerce Foundation in Pembroke are envisioned, designed and executed around a simple and direct vision, to build a vibrant and prosperous community through business leadership and relationships, according to Judy Sampson, the chamber president.
“I plan to initially take the reigns as the executive director of the foundation which will then work to create a board of local business professionals who are as passionate about growing Pembroke, Robeson County and the entire region into a viable economic engine with a progressive entrepreneurial ecosystem as I am,” Sampson said.
The foundation will allow the chamber to write grants in various avenues of funding, work with local businesses and various education entities, accumulate partners in order to promote an entrepreneurial ecosystem that will stimulate job growth, and improve the standard of living of people in the area.
Initially, the chamber will be looking at various grants and other financial incentives to apply for and assist with a variety of circumstances. It will also be looking for funding opportunities that will help with other existing issues in the town.
“One of the first areas we are looking to focus on, however, will involve business,” Sampson said. “We hope to secure funds to help businesses be better prepared for emergency situations and what they can do to protect their investment.
“We have seen so much damage and heartache that has been caused over the past two years by devastating hurricanes and unbelievable flooding that we feel that helping businesses to be better prepared for emergency situations is very important.”
Sampson also said that the educational climate due to N.C. Promise makes it the proper time to grow the foundation for graduates at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.