In a recent survey, Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce members said hiring and housing employees are among their biggest challenges.  

Executive Director Patricia Royall shared the results of the Chamber’s annual survey, which provides feedback on member programs and suggests areas that need attention.  The Chamber board of directors reviewed the results and wanted to make them public, according to Royall.

Asked in the survey “What are the greatest challenges your business will face in 2019,” 59 percent said staff recruitment and 41 percent said employee housing.

Royall said a number of current Chamber programs and events address some of the other challenges area businesses mentioned in the survey. For example, 68 percent said networking with other businesses is a challenge. Royall pointed out, the Chamber offers Business After Hours and Chamber Chats events to provide a way for businesses to network.

Eighty-one percent of respondents said marketing their business is one of their greatest challenges. “Many members aren’t aware that we market area businesses using social media all the time,” Royall said. “You may be surprised to learn that we have 20,000 people visiting our Facebook page each week.”

The Chamber’s monthly and weekly newsletters received high marks, with 95 percent of members viewing these communications as important or very important. More than 900 people receive the weekly e-newsletter and the monthly e-newsletter goes out to 10,000 subscribers.

Eighty percent of the businesses responded that the business-related educational programs and the Chamber Chats were important for their business success. Royall said the Chamber Chats are open to the entire region, not only Chamber members.

In other categories, 96 percent said the website is important, 82 percent said a seasonal map and guide are, and 94 percent said a year-round calendar of events is.

The new information center on Route One in Edgecomb opens May 15. Eighty-five percent see it as important. “The board was compelled to do it and it will benefit everyone,” Royall said of the new Midcoast Gateway Visitor Information Center. “Between six and nine million cars go by the Route One site every year.”

Chamber programs and events like the Harbor Lights Festival, Claw Down and the Sculpture Trail also received high marks from the members. Although the total number of visitors to the region is not known, Royall said between 8,000 and 10,000 visitors stop in at the Chamber office during the summer months.

Another significant event is the Chamber’s annual Community Awards Dinner, which will take place May 29 at Fisherman’s Wharf. To nominate a member of the community, get a nominating ballot at the Chamber office. Nominations for the 57th annual awards close April 19.

“We work to try to bring as many diverse kinds of people to the region as possible,” Royall said. “It’s up to the community to welcome them and help them have a good experience.”