Dorchester Chamber of Commerce holds annual dinner

By Dave Ryan
Posted 3/26/22

CAMBRIDGE - The 2022 Dorchester Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Dinner was held March 16 at the Hyatt Resort. The group represents 465 businesses and organizations, along with 22 associate …

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Dorchester Chamber of Commerce holds annual dinner

Posted

CAMBRIDGE - The 2022 Dorchester Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Dinner was held March 16 at the Hyatt Resort. The group represents 465 businesses and organizations, along with 22 associate members.

“We had a sell-out crowd of attendees full of smiles and good cheer as they networked and made new business connections,” a statement from the chamber said. “During the meeting, a summary of the 2021 Chamber activity was presented, Max Fryer was introduced as the 2022 Chairman of the Board, goals for 2022 were reviewed. the outgoing Board of Directors were recognized, and the 2022 Board Officers and Directors were presented.”

President Bill Christopher welcomed those who attended, while he noted some of the chamber’s activities and challenges faced by local businesses. One distinguishing aspect of the Dorchester Chamber, he said, is the group’s strong involvement in community projects and events.

These include educational programs and seven scholarships, downtown festivals, the Ironman race, the county fair and a Christmas toy drive.

While business activity has increased in some areas, seafood processing is facing its own challenge. “There are not enough visas to go around,” Christopher said.

The crab-picking industry, a traditional mainstay of the local economy, depends on temporary workers who stay through the season on H2B visas. These work permits are awarded on the basis of a lottery - of the 10 crab houses in Dorchester, only one was awarded visas in the lottery for this season, Christopher said.

In this issue and others, the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce advocates for local businesses in the local, state and federal governments.

The C. Robert "Bob" Spedden Award was presented to Greg Whitten for his many years of work on behalf of Dorchester County. Spedden is remembered for his work in local business and community organizations.

After the award, a panel of speakers - Chuck Kelly from Craigs Drug Store, Kelly Jackson from Emily's Produce and representing Jackson Farms, and Greg Meekins from Dorchester Elks Lodge #223 IBPOE - spoke of the history of their organizations and the challenges and changes it has taken to make it through more than 100 years.

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