Connections That Strengthen Our Local Economy

There’s a saying in the chamber world: “If you know one chamber, you know one chamber.”

It reminds us that while experience matters, every community is unique — and what works in one place may not in another.

When I arrived in Beaverton in September 2021 — in the middle of a global pandemic — I quickly learned how deeply this city relies on small business. Roughly 80% of Beaverton businesses have 50 or fewer employees, and 95% have 25 or fewer. These are our neighbors, friends, and families — people who pour their hearts into their work.

So how do we help them thrive? By helping them connect. People do business with those they know, like, and trust — and that trust grows through genuine relationships. When we meet, share ideas, and support one another, we build a network that lifts the entire community.

Shopping local keeps that network strong. When you grab your morning chai at a neighborhood café, you’re helping pay the wages of someone who lives right here — someone who uses that paycheck to send their kids to dance class, get a manicure nearby, or shop at the Saturday farmers market. Every dollar spent locally circulates again and again, creating a ripple effect that strengthens us all.

Those ripples grow when we share our experiences. Tagging a favorite shop on social media or recommending a local business to friends expands their reach — and your influence helps others discover the value of local support.

Collaboration multiplies that impact. A restaurant hosting a charcuterie class or a tap house partnering with a toy store for a family event shows how creative partnerships build community pride and connection. Even within the same industry, working together instead of competing makes everyone stronger. After all, a rising tide lifts all boats.

When local businesses connect, collaborate, and lift one another up, they do more than boost the economy — they strengthen the fabric of Beaverton itself.

So, here’s the challenge: visit a new local business, make a connection, post about it, or attend a chamber event. Every small action grows our circle — and together, those connections create a community where everyone thrives.

By Alicia Bermes. Find full event details at Beaverton.org.