Melcher: Value of Chamber membership is what you put in it
By:
Jill Meier, Journal editor
Brandon Ace proprietor Jason Melcher steps up to chairman of the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors this year. Jill Meier/BV Journal
When Jason Melcher stepped into the Brandon business community on Oct. 1, 2011, one of the first acts the new business owner did was to gain access to the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.
And he’s hasn’t once regretted renewing his investment in the organization specifically designed to promote Brandon area businesses.
The first event the Brandon Ace hardware store proprietor took in was the Chamber’s annual Christmas gathering, which was hosted by Oakridge Nursery and Landscaping that year.
And Melcher’s never regretted taking in the holiday mixer – and many others to follow.
“(Aaron) Veskrna, who I didn’t realize was becoming part owner (of Oakridge), we went to college together. Then, Devin (Coughlin) from the city was in here all of the time, and Daemon (Coughlin) and that all started to mix together. Then a Railcar guy and a Spartan guy, all three have become the best customers that we have, and it all started with, ‘Oh hey, you’re with … we should sit down and see what …,’” Melcher recalls. “I don’t want to oversimplify it, but that literally was the start of it.”
“The start of it” Melcher refers to is the leadership position – chairman of the BVACC Board of Directors - he stepped into when the calendar turned to Jan. 1. He succeeds Diana Nelson of CHS.
Melcher said he was courted early on for a position on the board by fellow Chamber member Harry Buck and BVACC president/CEO Kim Cerwick.
“Being a (former Lincoln) county commissioner, I like that you’re making decisions, talking to the powers that be, that kind of stuff. I like to facilitate and direct conversation, and hopefully come up with solutions,” Melcher said. “It was really a family timing thing with the new store and a new kid at that point, I just didn’t have a lot of time, but now it works in my schedule and I am able to ‘take my turn,’ if that’s the right word.”
Melcher views his Chamber membership as an “investment” in his retail business.
“I see the value, and I see the benefits,” he says. “Not only for here, but for the community, for my kids.”
And similar to financial investments, you have to put something in to get something out.
“What I always tell people is the Chamber is what you want to get out of it. The Chamber is not going to make you a ton of money just because you join,” he said.
Melcher admits it’s frustrating to hear a Chamber member say, “What does the Chamber do for me?”
“If your attitude is that to start with, it’s going to be tough, because it’s what can you – with the help of the Chamber – do,” he said. “What our Chamber has done is exciting to me. They’re giving you a whole bunch of tools to use to be successful and different outings, networking abilities. The new office area, I’ve already personally used for our company, and I’m going to use it again next week when we have our regional meeting. … Hopefully people will take advantage of that stuff.”
During his year at the helm of the BVACC Board, Melcher simply wants to help spur economic growth locally.
“I won’t take full credit; it’s been more of the executive meetings that we have had,” he explains. “But if it’s going to help growth and economic growth in Brandon, we want to support it.”
Melcher pinpoints a current hot topic – the city’s water issue – as an example.
“That’s starting to hurt the community, the business community and the growth. So, as a Chamber and a business community, we need to make sure that we’re educating everybody and letting them know that this isn’t good for the climate of our town,’ he said.
He also agrees with making changes to the current guidelines developers must adhere to.
“We’re getting some things changed that’s going to make it more advantageous for developers to come in and build more houses. The more rooftops we have, it’s going to be better for the paper, it’s going to be better for the hardware store, it’s going to be better for the restaurants, it’s going to be better for everybody. Really, it’s pretty simple, but at the same time it’s something that I’m super passionate about because again, obviously, I want to make my business successful and help continue it to grow.”
Nelson’s year as chairwoman of the BVACC Board resulted in a trio of large-scale accomplishments.
“When I look at the Chamber’s past year, there are three things that stand out,” she said. “First of all is moving into a new and bigger office space. This move allowed us the opportunity to have a meeting space available for both board members and Chamber business members. The second key item is bringing back Brandon Lane as the Chamber’s membership manager. With his knowledge of the community, he is indeed a great asset to have. And the third highlight of 2017 is the joint strategic planning session that was held with the Brandon Development Foundation. Working together with common goals will be a plus for our community.”
Melcher is also pleased with Lane’s return to the Chamber.
“He’s a great person in the community and he feels like he’s going to be able to make some of the events that we’ve done historically that are really good be that much better,” he said.
Looking ahead, Melcher said the Chamber board is currently exploring the idea of producing a quarterly pamphlet to explain city projects, things like watering and snow removal guidelines.
“It will be about community things that will help educate everybody. If that’s a pamphlet, a better Facebook page, things like that, we’re going to push,” he said.
Melcher said he feels fortunate to be part of the Brandon community.
“I feel like I live in five different communities – soon to be six – with our different stores, and Brandon is head and shoulders by far the most supportive of local businesses and community events,” he said. “All the things that are super-easy for me here, we work really, really hard in some of our other communities to make those things happen. I just want to make sure that we keep moving in that direction. We’re super lucky to be part of the community and I want to keep helping it go that way.”
Melcher said he’s ready to tackle 2018 and his new role as the chairman of the BVACC Board of Directors.
“I think it will be fun, and I look forward to it. Like I said, I think we’ve got a great group of people, and we’ve had a great group of people. We’ve got some new faces (on the board) in Chuck Parsons, who I’ve just known as a customer, and now have been able to see him in more of a professional level. He’s been a Brandon guy forever and has great vision,” he said.
Bob Logan is also new to the BVACC Board.
“Between Kim, Brandon, myself, those guys and Brian Wills, who has unbelievable vision, we run this more like a business than a government entity, and we’re going to hold (members) accountable. If they aren’t renewing, we’re going to ask why,” he said.
Nelson has confidence in her successor.
“I am grateful for the opportunity that was given to me to serve as the 2017 chair and as I complete my final year on the board, I am looking forward to see what prospers for the upcoming year,” she said. “And Jason has been a great addition to the board and I am excited to see him lead our Chamber as the new chair. With his wealth of business sense and familiarity with the businesses and people in the community, he will serve the Chamber very well in 2018.”
