We are all here to help each other. All of us stayed together. 
“It’s hard to believe all that happened during these past few years. When my husband, John, and I first arrived the day after Christmas 2016, the economy was booming. Prescott and surrounding areas were in the midst of major growth. That’s what prompted me, as one of my first actions, to begin a strategic planning process. I wanted to know what membership wanted to keep businesses healthy and growing.”
The Heineys moved to Prescott from their former careers in Rochester, Michigan. John had accepted a position with the City of Prescott as community outreach manager. “We began by reaching out to the many businesses and organizations within Yavapai County. I’m thankful we did, for who knew there would be a pandemic. Certainly in our lifetime, it was a first. Our Chamber has had a huge role in sharing information during the pandemic.”
Heiney said the C of C is in a strong position, despite the pandemic, because it took an aggressive, yet positive, role in providing information, which helped keep businesses healthy.
The Chamber and many organizations within the county met weekly to discuss how to help businesses and communities. They shared what needs were identified by the business community with state legislators.
“Many members stepped up and gave us input, which we were able to take straight to the governor’s office and actually have some impact,” she said. “We are constantly listening to what the needs of the business community are. We try to reconcile those opportunities with all the resources we can band together. I would say communication and collaboration are key factors. We also work really hard with the Yavapai County Health Department. We discuss how to move forward if we are having community events, what we need to do.”
The C of C partners with the City of Prescott to help businesses, as well. It’s currently working with the Prescott Cares program, where the city received $427,000 in emergency federal funding to help individuals and businesses. “Our foundation is processing applications,” said Heiney. “The foundation, with its 501(c)(3) arm, has the capacity to really help the Chamber and the business community at large. It’s broad enough where it can make a difference. We’re leaning toward the foundation to assist in helping grow the area, to help support the business community and the Chamber with changing needs. We’re actively going after grants. We look at ways to partner with people so we can provide the best resources possible.”
Heiney gave examples of assistance the C of C provided. “We offer mini-videos to help our businesses promote themselves. Buying locally has always been our messaging. We really pushed it to help keep our businesses stable during the heat of closure. Even though we closed our C of C state-designated Visitor Center to keep things safe, we also pivoted and had networking groups online. We had more than 6,000 folks participate in networking via Zoom. We were able to sponsor some community events outside. We followed proper CDC guidelines and what the county had requested we do. Feedback I got from those actions is that the Chamber constantly evolved and kept moving things forward in a positive way. We’d help get businesses information they needed to get the PPP (Payment Protection Plan) and EIDL [Economic Injury Disaster Loan] to stay in business. It required constant evolution and remaking of the Chamber during troubling times. We still have PPP loans, hand sanitizers and masks and resources available for our businesses that they can pick up at no charge. That’s in addition to Phase 2 of the Prescott Cares program, where any business or individual that has been affected by COVID can still get some reimbursement and relief.”
Through the pandemic, Chamber membership has remained stable. “That’s one thing we’re proud of,” said Heiney. “In January 2020, before COVID, we were a little over 1,000 members. Now, we’re right around 960. One thing I’d like to share is that we now have a very positive retention rate. Our current year-to-date retention rate is 93.4%. Our 12-month retention rate is 84%. Those are great numbers. That speaks to the programming and connectivity, the welcoming atmosphere we create and our caring. We are all here to help each other. All of us stayed together. We communicated and articulated what was needed and helped resolve those issues as best we could.”
The Heineys are very happy they chose Prescott. “We are living our dream with a little ranch, garden, rescued mini-pony and mini-donkey and two spoiled Shih Tzus, Belia and Bailey. We absolutely love Prescott.” QCBN
By Ray Newton, QCBN
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