New Lynnwood Chamber takes a local focus

LYNNWOOD — A hyper-local focus is showing promise for the fledgling Lynnwood Chamber.

“We have had a great response,” said Jim Smith, who is spearheading the Lynnwood Chamber’s creation and also is a city councilman. “There is a good deal of enthusiasm. The most common response is, ‘It’s about time.’”

Fifteen people attended the first meeting. That number grew to 20 for the second meeting. The group is now working on building membership further as it hones its mission.

The Lynnwood Chamber is backfilling a need for business networking and sponsoring community activities, Smith said, a void that was created when the South Snohomish County Chamber merged with the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Council of Snohomish County to form the Economic Alliance Snohomish County last April.

“We are two separate organizations with a symbiotic relationship,” Smith said of the alliance and Lynnwood group. “There is an opportunity for (the alliance) to be our lobbyist for local needs, but on a micro-standpoint they don’t do what a Lynnwood Chamber would do.”

For economic questions and challenges that are not unique to Lynnwood, the chamber will rely on the alliance’s expertise, according to Smith.

Even with the merger, the alliance continues to do some of the same networking events that the South Snohomish County Chamber always did. The difference is that the alliance will delve into the region’s challenges, said Troy McClelland, the alliance’s president and CEO.

“We are an advocate supporting cities and the region in focused ways,” McClelland said.

The alliance is supportive of the Lynnwood Convention Center. It also supported Mountlake Terrace’s bid for an infrastructure grant that ties economic development to business growth and job development.

Get involved

What: Lynnwood Chamber after-hours event

When: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 8

Where: Fairwinds Brighton Court, 6520 196th St. SW, Lynnwood

More Info: thelynnwoodchamber.com