The Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce has outlined its key initiatives over the next three years through its strategic plan.
CEO Carrie McEachran said the three areas of focus are enhancing value proposition, advocating actively and leading by example.
"(We're) looking at different ways that we can support members from small business to large business in all of their needs and what they're looking for to thrive here within Sarnia-Lambton," she said.
McEachran explained the chamber will be moving its efforts more into supporting rural members.
"Sarnia is always a major point of support for us and we will always be here supporting members in Sarnia," said McEachran. "But we have also heard from members out in rural Lambton County, that they would like to see the chamber out there supporting them more in their unique needs."
To create the strategic plan the chamber met with current and past members over the past year to see what the needs are, and then met with a consultant to help guide them through creating the plan.
McEachran said there's a lot of work to do now.
"Between the staff and the board going out to the county, continuing to do those efforts looking at ways we can be out there supporting them," she said.
Currently, the chamber is in the process of creating new benefits for members.
McEachran said the last few years have been difficult because they couldn't provide as much support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She believes the new strategic plan will be a positive step forward for both the local chamber and businesses.
"You're going to see a lot more networking events, you're going to see us out in the community doing more with people and looking at all of the unique businesses that we have, new businesses and how we can support them to thrive," McEachran said.
The full strategic plan can be found on the chamber's website.