Job creation in an uncertain economy is on everyone’s mind today. Small to mid-size businesses are creating the vast majority of new jobs, according to The Small Business Administration(SBA).

“One of the major hurdles to small businesses growing and creating jobs is their inability to secure financing. They need lines of credit, equipment loans, real estate loans and working capital. It is difficult for the small business owner to prepare the essential business plan and loan proposal necessary to obtain these funds.” said Paula Camara, Senior Business Advisor (Clark University SBDC)

The Clark University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has helped many people navigate this process and assisted the client in developing a roadmap, as well as, gathering the necessary information to present a solid financial proposal to the funding source, be it bank loans, private financing, equity or alternative lending. The Clark University SBDC is one of the top centers in the country for helping clients in gaining access to capital over the past ten years. Their loan packaging process is well known and respected by the regional banks and SBA.

Companies that survived in 2008-2009 are now growing and expanding. Small manufacturers are buying property and equipment, investing in tooling and bringing back some jobs from China due to quality concerns.

Merger and acquisition activity is up as well. Companies or individuals are now looking to buy a company, benefit from Mass Small Business Development Center(MSBDC) services as they assist with valuation, due dilligence and access to capital.

All companies, no matter what stage they are in, need marketing, sales, cash flow management and advice from someone who understands the demands of business ownership. Many of the SBDC clients are working on strategic marketing plans that incorporate social media and changing technologies.

The MSBDC services help business owners better manage their companies, allowing them to grow faster.

In 2010 the Clark SBDC provided business advisory services to 837 clients (more than half of them existing businesses) resulting in $16.9 million capital infusion, 41 new business launches, 210 jobs created and 213 jobs saved.

During the 29 years at Clark University, the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network Program has assissted over 21,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners. They helped clients raise $227 million in capital and created 3,500 new jobs in Central Massachusetts.

Free one-to-one confidential appointments are held at the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce offices located at 11 Florence Street, Marlborough, MA or at Clark University, Worcester, MA.

If your business is at a point where a review with Paula Camara, Senior Advisor for Clark SBDC, would be of value, call the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce at 508-485-7746 for an appointment.

Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce members receive a multitude of FREE opportunities and services provided as a benefit of their membership. These opportunities ans services include:
FREE – Good business Guide listings in over 4000 copies distributed annually.
FREE – Web site listings with over 50,000 hits per month.
FREE – Web links to their web sites.
FREE – Brochure Display rack at the chamber office.
FREE – Business Card Display on the wall at the chamber office.
FREE – Member events notices posted on the MRCC website homepage.
FREE – Member to Member Discount Program.
FREE – Cable TV “Biz 2 Biz” Show featuring business interviews with the President.
FREE – One-on-one Business Consultation with Senior Counselor, Paula Camara, Small Business Develoment Center out of Clark University.
FREE – Admission to the Annual Biz 2 Biz Showcase and Business After Hours on September 15, 2011 at the Marlborough Courtyard by Marriott.
FREE – Access and usage of the Chamber Conference Room with Free WiFi.
FREE – Representation at City Hall
FREE – Access to Elected Officials at the many Chamber events.
FREE – Information about the Business Community in the region.
FREE – Data and stats about the region utilizing the MetroWest Economic Research Center (MERC) at Framingham State University, statistics and reports.
FREE – Maps
FREE – Referrals
FREE – Information about the Marlborough region.
FREE – Advocacy at local and State levels.
FREE – “First Tuesday Business Talks” at Main Street Cafe.
FREE – Monthly “President’s Luncheon”
FREE – “First Friday’s Chamber Orientation” and Networking workshop.
FREE – “Biz Snips” opportunity to preview member companies on the Chamber website and You Tube.
FREE – Chamber Blog information to benefit member companies.
FREE – Certificates of Origin signed and sealed by Chamber.
FREE – Notary services.

From time to time there are other FREE opportunities and services that may arise. Please check Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce website at www.marlboroughchamber.org regularly.

Would you like to receive all the FREE opportunities and services? Not a Marlborough Regional Chamber member yet? It is very easy and affordable (less than 1 cent per day) to join. Just call 508-485-7746.

Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce together with WMCTV-TV regularly produce “Biz Snips” an information video on various businesses, services, venues and business people. Each “Biz Snip” video is less than 5 minutes and can be viewed on the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce homepage on the website at www.marlboroughchamber.org, on the chamber blog and on youtube.

Each chamber member business has an opportunity to take advantage of this free advertising vehicle. Previous “Biz Snips” videos can be viewed by pressing the chamber blog button on the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce website www.marlboroughchamber.org, and opening the “pages” on the blog.

Previous “Biz Snips” videos have featured Jack Cutone, 1031 Exchange – United Asset Trading, explaing the reasons. process and benefits of a 1031 Exchange. Also Patricia Teager, Fore Kicks Marlborough, talked about the many offerings, programs and various sports played at this wonderful indoor 3 acre soccer/sports facility. She also told us about the multiple uses for the many acres of fields outside this facility. The third “Biz Snips” video featured the Innkeeper of the Wayside Inn, John Cowden. the Wayside Inn, a non-profit historical site, has many events during the summer and has added breakfast and an outdoor patio for dinning.

Please view all the upcoming “Biz Snips” as we tape and post them at www.marlboroughchamber.org.

Anyone wishing to raise awareness, increase sales, or promote involvement will benefit from incorporating a QR Code into their marketing plan. QR Codes act as a mobile shortcut from printed collateral to websites, special incentives, videos and other content.

The Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce utilizes QR Codes on its printed Business After Hours invitations to enable the receipient to register online as soon as they receive the postcard in the mail. When a member uses the QR Code to register for an event, registration becomes easier, quicker and more efficient.

QR Codes printed on business cards start a conversation and with on click of your smart phone, anyone can get your contact information into propestive client’s cell phone.

Smart phones can download QR Code Readers free of charge. Look into utilizing QR Codes on your printed materuials to connect to potential clients.

Formed in 1924, this Chamber, as the advocate for the region’s business community, has always located its offices in the Downtown area of the city of Marlborough. Originally the Chamber occupied empty storefront spaces until they were rented out to a new business. In the early 1980’s, the Chamber office moved into one room of the post office on Florence Street. In 1986, the Chamber office moved into the Victoria Building on Main Street.

The Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce office is back on Florence Street at number 11, where it has been since 1993.

Because the Chamber serves the needs of the city’s many businesses and community at large, the leaders of the Chamber felt strongly about keeping the presence in the downtown core area. The Chamber often plays a catalytic role in organizing and promoting community forums on important issues that impact local businesses. In 1965, the Chamber raised funds to build the tower that houses the John Brown Bell and in 1999, the Chamber, while celebrating its 75th Anniversary, raised the funds to build the current gazebo in front of the Walker Building.

Ever since the first period of industrial growth 1836 and 1890, Marlborough has been a place where entrepreneurs can find a receptive environment for new ideas. Entrepreneur and civic leader Samual Boyd, who opened the city’s first shoe factory, is credited with turning this agricultural town of 2500 people to a shoe manufacturing center of 14,000 people. Boyd was also instrumental in helping prepare the city for its future by bringing in the railroad and by building its electric railway, which ran through the downtown area.

A booklet highlighting the city of Marlborough’s qualities, opportunities and advantages, produced by the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce in 1927, described the Living Conditions as “Nearness to one’s employment is one of the outstanding advantages of living in Marlboro. Most of Marlboro’s population live within easy walking distance of their work and habitually go home to a warm dinner at noon. This fact alone makes for industrial stability and contentment.”

The downtown area of Marlborough, as in many New England communities, was where the city started and then grew. It was the core of residents and businesses which grew into the great community of Marlborough.

Today, the Marlborough Regional Chamber still holds meetings and events downtown. The President’s First Tuesday Business Talks is held the first Tuesday of every month at Main Street Café. This meeting is open to all people who want to talk about business and community issues.

Celebrating the designation of the City of Marlborough as the #1 place in the State of Massachusetts to raise children, the Chamber continues to be very involved with the city’s school system through the School/Business committee and the Annual Chamber Scholarship Program, where the Chamber, through the Marlborough Regional Community Foundation, awards $5000 in scholarships to graduating high school students.

In 2009, the Marlborough Regional Chamber’s leadership identified a need to bring higher education to the city of Marlborough. Quinsigamond Community College seemed like a natural fit for our community. Our Leadership Team meets monthly to delve into the curriculum, stability and placement of the classes. One of the initial focuses in partnering with both the Assabet Valley Technical High School and the Marlborough High School to offer college courses onsite. Another and most important focus is to locate a facility to house the new Quinsigamond Community College site. Quinsigamond also partners with four year colleges so students can flow from high school right into college and get a bachelors degree locally, affordably and with ease.

Recently, the Marlborough Regional Chamber’s 2010 Business Awards were given out at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner. Among the awards, two downtown businesses were recognized. The Entrepreneurship Award was given to Welly’s Restaurant on Main Street for outstanding success in entrepreneurship, success and growth in less than two years. Marlborough Savings Bank took a blighted corner in downtown and created a wonderful banking center in an impressive building. For these efforts, they received the Marlborough Pride Award.

The Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce is the hub for business development and growth. Our networking programs and events connect member business people to potential customers and vendors. In today’s world of electronic communication, it is far more important to establish relationships one on one to grow business contacts. The Chamber has positioned itself to keep business in the region and to be The Connection For Success!