?? The 2021 Greater Lowell Chamber Community Guide is Out! ??
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Click here to view the guide.
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As I sit here to write the obligatory Letter from the President, I can’t help but reflect on the past year.
I remember kicking off 2020 with so much excitement – a new year, a new decade and the Chamber’s 25th Anniversary! I felt like I was ready to take on the world… and then… the world shut down.
Like so many of you, I felt helpless, unsure about the future of our members and starving for information – all while carrying the burden of knowing that the Chamber’s future was also on the line. Watching Governor Baker’s press conference when he announced a two week stay at home advisory, including shutting down all nonessential businesses, was truly a reality check about the severity of what we were all in store for. But still, I have to admit, I NEVER thought we’d still be in midst of this pandemic over a year later.
I decided then and there to make some really tough decisions… to reduce staff and our office space, to be extremely transparent when asking our members to renew their annual investment (because our livelihood was also on the line) and to send out the information I was receiving at the federal, state and municipal levels as fast as I was receiving it. (Yes, me and laptop are best friends at this point!)
What strikes me now, after 13 months of the new normal (that’s anything but normal, might I add) is the strength of our community – on every level. I always knew Greater Lowell was a special place, but seeing the way individuals, nonprofits and businesses have come together to rally for one another is truly inspiring.
The resiliency, creativity and fight that small businesses and restaurants have shown in order to keep their doors open.
The partnerships created and countless hours the nonprofit community has spent to ensure that every resident throughout Greater Lowell has access to food, housing, internet and other necessities.
Our healthcare system filled with the most selfless frontline workers that put their lives on hold and at risk every day to ensure that our neighbors get the best healthcare possible, including the COVID-19 vaccine.
The city of Lowell and the towns of Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough and Westford and their commitment to help residents and businesses by offering free COVID-19 testing, grants, programming and information dissemination.
And the passionate individuals and organizations who are educating us all on diversity, equity and inclusion so that every member in our community feels represented, appreciated and heard (WE’RE LISTENING AND WE HEAR YOU).
It’s because of these individuals, businesses and organizations that I feel optimistic and excited about the future of Greater Lowell.
It’s is truly an honor to be a part of this community and President of the local chamber of commerce. I am proud of what we’ve all accomplished throughout this pandemic and how we assisted each other – and continue to do so. And because of so many of you, I’m thrilled that the GLCC will be around to serve the community for many years to come.
Thank YOU for all that you do.