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It’s not always easy to run a successful business.
But it sure does help to have folks within the community who are willing to offer unity and support along the way
That’s where the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce comes into play
Open since 1918, the chamber works closely with local businesses to ensure that they’re doing the most they can to succeed and reach the community while in operation.
Chamber President and CEO Suzanne Carlos said the chamber receives gratification in seeing companies continue to grow — especially in the face of the current economic downturn that’s rolled through Louisiana and the oil and gas industry.
“Our role has remained the same over the years,” Carlos said. “It’s still to speak on behalf of our more than 775 members, to improve the community and to provide opportunities for members to increase their business.”
The Houma Chamber has been around for a really long time. Carlos said its roots date back to the early 1900s — right around World War I.
Its official beginnings are a few years later with an official start date as July 1, 1918.
“In 1918, the Houma-Terrebonne business community came together to form an association that would speak on its behalf and work to improve the business environment and the community,” Carlos said.
After a decade in operation, that group further united in 1929, thanks to the leadership of Gibson J. Autin, who gave the chamber its formal name and shape.
“(Autin) led the group in establishing the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce,” Carlos said.
Since its inception, there has been a lot of movement around the chamber and a lot of places around town have called the group home.
The Houma-Terrbonne Chamber of Commerce is currently located at 6133 La. Highway 311 in Houma — its home for the past several years.
“The chamber was previously located at the end of St. Charles Street close to Bayou Black Drive. And then we moved to our present location here,” Carlos said. “Before that, it was located downtown on Belanger Street behind the present Whitney Bank.”
But no matter the location, it’s local businesses that come first.
The chamber collects memberships from local businesses, which serves to create a family or team-like feel with the purpose of fostering growth in the area’s economy.
The chamber also frequently hosts meetings and gatherings to keep folks updated on the happenings and trends within the economy.
“We host various events throughout the year that help to inform our membership of the current issues that affect their business and the community,” Carlos said. “That gives them opportunities to network with each, which allows them to increase the exposure of their business in the community.”
Carlos said what has allowed the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce to succeed is a strong membership core, a capable board of directors and also a staff that the president described as “the best.”
“It’s a little different for the Chamber,” Carlos said. “We’re not a retail business, a manufacturer or a typical service company or organization. Having good, committed people working hard and willing to go the extra mile that it takes to keep moving forward is also a key. It takes commitment to the mission and to the community. It takes a willingness to work with people, flexibility and a desire to do what’s right in order to make a position difference.”
So with nearly 100 years in the books, Carlos said the Houma-Terrebonne chamber already has eyes on the future — one which she hopes brings a higher price of oil and a lower local unemployment.
The president said the coming years will be important to the area’s future sustainability, especially with a new political cycle about to begin and the price of oil still hovering lower than normal around the world.
Carlos said the chamber would be keeping a close eye on developments so that Terrebonne Parish can stay competitive in business.
She added that the chamber is making moves to ensure that it will be ready to push forward when things get back to normal.
“Our mission remains the same,” Carlos said when asked about the economic downturn. “We are cautious with our budget and thankful for every member. So, we’re hanging in there like so many others, searching the horizon for the upturn that we know will come.
Like everyone else, we’re praying that everyone can hold on until it happens.”
The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce has roots that date back almost 100 years. The Chamber takes pride in being a voice for business leaders.
