Vermilion And District Chamber Of Commerce Open Meeting

Vermilion And District Chamber Of Commerce Open Meeting. Photo Sonya Lee

The Vermilion & District Chamber of Commerce hosted a well-attended meeting Sept 18 at the Heritage Museum, beginning promptly at 7 pm, with a diverse group of local business owners and community leaders. The event was officially welcomed by Aiyana Thompson, the Executive Director of the Vermilion & District Chamber of Commerce, who greeted attendees as they arrived.

The highlight of the evening was guest speaker Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, the President and CEO of Lakeland College. She shared insights on the college’s status, emphasizing that Lakeland is very full this year, and expressed appreciation to the numerous local businesses that provide placement opportunities for students. She discussed the vibrant energy brought into town by the students, especially during special events, as they often share their experiences with friends, further enriching the community atmosphere.

She also addressed the challenges that come with the fluctuating student population, noting that while they bring enthusiasm and liveliness during the school year, this is not a year-round phenomenon. She expressed a keen interest in collaborating more closely with local businesses to find mutually beneficial strategies that could help Vermilion thrive while supporting the students.

One of the key ideas floated was creating incentives for students, such as discounts or coupons when they present their college IDs, a concept reminiscent of past initiatives. Several other ideas were discussed, including the possibility of utilizing QR codes, potentially linked to a map or list of local businesses, to encourage student engagement. There was also talk of organizing events and activities to welcome new students during their first few weeks, perhaps integrated into an app.

The group explored the idea of hosting an orientation or a series of activities designed to introduce students to Vermilion’s offerings and get them invested in the community. There was a consensus that establishing a liaison between Lakeland College, the Town of Vermilion, and the Vermilion Chamber could collaborate to get some action items in motion and then interact with business owners to get their information. The goal aimed at integrating students into the local fabric. This could include leveraging social media or other channels used by RAs to disseminate information quickly and effectively.

Throughout the evening, there was a strong sense of enthusiasm and willingness among business owners, the Vermilion Chamber, The Town of Vermilion, Lakeland College, and the business owners in attendance to take proactive steps. Several actionable items emerged, with brainstorming sessions leading to concrete ideas for collaboration. The participants expressed optimism that, by working together, they could create a more engaging and mutually beneficial environment that benefits Vermilion’s economy and the student community alike.