FAIRFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CELEBRATES 75 TH ANNIVERSARY WITH SPECIAL LEGACY BRICK PROJECT

An Interview With Chamber President, Beverly Balaz

In 2021, the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 75 th anniversary, can you tell us a little bit about the history of the Chamber?

The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce was founded by a handful of business owners, in the summer of 1946, on July 1st. The Chamber’s membership includes a variety of businesses, both large and small, including retailers, restaurants, merchants, entrepreneurs, services (which include financial firms, attorneys, health providers, assisted living, tech support, non-profits, plus so many more.) Our current slogan is: “Building Relationships, Building Business” and that is exactly what has been done over the past 75 years.

The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce has become a vibrant and dynamic non-profit organization, working in partnership with the historic Town of Fairfield. With a focus on: “Buy Local”, the Chamber is committed and devoted to advocating, promoting, connecting, and educating our local businesses, to strengthen our economic base and help build a solid foundation for future growth.

The first Chamber of Commerce was founded in Charleston, SC, in 1773, and was followed by one in New Haven, CT, and then another in Philadelphia, PA, in 1800. By 1870, there were 40 local Chambers of Commerce in the USA. The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce is proud to be part of this important business association.

The Chamber has done a lot during its tenure for the Town, can you share some notable accomplishments from over the years that have contributed to the ongoing success of the Chamber?

The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce has worked in partnership with the Town of Fairfield over the years, and the Chamber acts as a support resource for community events (Sidewalk Sale Days, Spring/Holiday Shop & Strolls, Restaurant Week, Town’s 375th Anniversary, etc.). In addition to supporting tourism, the Chamber is also involved with discussions and meetings at the monthly Department of Community and Economic Development Commission Meetings, to provide help with planning and/or ideas that will enhance and help foster economic development. Together, we want our business community to not only sustain and grow, but also stay in Fairfield!

The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce has elevated its own events, to recognize local businesses at its annual awards dinner, to acknowledge: Company of the Year; Nonprofit of the Year; Volunteer of the Year; and the President’s Award for Economic Impact. The Chamber has also created an annual Visitors Guide and Business Directory for distribution throughout the Town and Universities.

To celebrate the anniversary, a new Buy-a-Brick campaign has been launched, can you discuss this initiative and how businesses in the Fairfield community can get involved?

This initiative was launched in the summer of 2021, which was the actual 75th Anniversary of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce. And instead of having a dinner to celebrate the Chamber’s 75th Anniversary, the BOD decided to recognize, and pay tribute, to our local business community with a commemorative legacy brick project – for everyone to see now, and in the future!

Our local business community is the very fabric of our Town. The Brick project is in partnership with the Town of Fairfield, and any Fairfield/Southport business (including restaurants, nonprofits, organizations) can purchase a brick, by visiting the Chamber’s website: FairfieldCTChamber.com/BRICKS … or by calling the Chamber office: 203-255-1011.

For businesses interested in joining the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, what is the best way for them to do so?

Joining the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce is easy! Simply go online to fill-out an application: FairfieldCtChamber.com/Membership … or call the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce to process by phone: 203-255-1011. In addition, the President Beverly Balaz, is always happy to meet business owners and managers in person, by scheduling a meeting to come into the Chamber office to discuss and review Chamber membership benefits: 200 Mill Plain Road, Fairfield, CT 06824.