Executive Director Tonya Palumbo discusses how the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce supports local businesses as a 501(c)(6) membership organization, distinct from government and from 501(c)(3) nonprofits. She shares how member needs have shifted through rapid growth and rising costs, highlighting resources like business education, advocacy, networking, and access to small-business health insurance options through partnerships including the NC Chamber and Carolina HealthWorks. Palombo explains initiatives such as joint ribbon cuttings that connect multiple businesses at once and the chamber’s supplier program that helps historically underutilized businesses become HUB certified and connect with large employers like Fujifilm and Amgen to keep spending local. She also covers fundraising efforts that have raised over $100,000 for the Holly Springs Food Cupboard, downtown revitalization, community festivals, and the chamber’s milestone of a female-led executive committee and board.

00:00 Meet Tonya Palumbo
02:20 Photography Roots
03:51 What Chambers Do
04:54 Small Business Needs
08:06 Big Growth Impact
08:44 Supplier Hub Program
10:52 Downtown Boom
12:52 Joint Ribbon Cuttings
16:21 Food Cupboard Fundraising
18:48 Women Leading Chamber
21:30 Supplier Program Deep Dive
23:58 Events And Future
26:07 Why Join Chamber
28:37 How To Connect
29:11 Closing Thanks