A search online reveals that a chamber of commerce is a business network. It is a coalition of local businesses whose goal is to further the interests of business. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community. Many times such an organization is also associated with other organizations such as a visitor center or tourist bureau, as is the case with the Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The local chamber of commerce in any community is the cornerstone for communication and networking. Our Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce is a good example of how this works in a small, rural community. Because tourism is important to the Valley's economic viability, it is a major focus of the Chamber. Therefore the Chamber of Commerce networks with organizations like Mesa Verde Country in Cortez, the tourism agency that supports the entire Montezuma County, and with Colorado.com, the Colorado Tourism Office. It is through these connections that the Mancos Valley is given a national and international presence. Each month the Chamber responds to inquiries generated by these resources about the Valley and sends out approximately 100-150 mail responses per month.

Another tourism tool has been added to our kit through the National Geographic Four Corners Geotourism Map Guide that is now on line and in a published version that is available for sale at the Visitor Center. The Geotourism Map Guide is more than a road map because it provides points of interest for visitors to explore. If you visit the website at www.fourcornersgeotourism.com, you will see that our local businesses are noted as points of interest such as, Nathaniel's of Colorado, the Absolute Bakery and Café, the Goodnight Trail Gallery of Western Art and even our own Chicken Creek Nordic Ski Area.

The Chamber of Commerce provides other resources to enhance the economy and cultural heritage of the Mancos Valley. The Chamber provides support to several Valley organizations through the distribution of grant funds. The Chamber partners with the Mancos Valley Arts Council for the creation of the Mancos Town Gallery at the Visitor Center. Chamber of Commerce sponsors the "Think Locally" campaign to encourage people to shop in the Mancos Valley. It also sponsors the monthly "Mancos Cash Mob" events at various businesses in the community, again to encourage people to spend their dollars with local businesses. The next "Mancos Cash Mob" will be at the Absolute Bakery and Café on Wednesday, May 29, at 9 am.

The Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce is about community and enhancing existing business resources while encouraging new economic development ideas. Our activities are the result of the persistent commitment of our Chamber of Commerce members who join and then pay their membership dues every year demonstrate their sense of passion for and commitment to our little community through their day-to-day generosity. Most of us are fully aware of the contributions the P&D Grocery makes to community events. And, doesn't the highway intersection look more beautiful since Zuma Natural Foods moved to the corner. The galleries on Grand Avenue make a big commitment to present the "Grand Summer Nights" every month from June through September. Chamber of Commerce members don't necessarily commit to attend meetings. They are action-oriented people who make things happen for our community. Their strength is their willingness to make things happen and that benefits the entire community.