We’ve talked a lot about what the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce does—and the list is long. Advocacy. Networking. Business support. Workforce partnerships. Community events. You name it.

But here’s a question we rarely see addressed:
What does a Chamber of Commerce not do?

It’s a fair one.

Because while we aim to be a powerful resource for businesses in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, and throughout the New River Valley, we also want to be clear about our role—and our limits.

So here’s a breakdown of what falls outside our scope, and why that matters when setting expectations and making the most of your Chamber membership.

1. We Don’t Regulate or Enforce Laws

The Chamber is not a government agency.

We don’t:

• Create laws or ordinances

• Enforce regulations

• Issue licenses or permits

• Conduct inspections

Instead, we serve as a liaison and advocate. That means if you're facing a challenge related to local regulations—like signage restrictions, zoning, or taxes—we can:

• Help you navigate the process

• Connect you with the right departments or contacts

• Advocate for small business-friendly policies

But we don’t enforce compliance, and we don’t have authority over legal matters.

2. We’re Not a Marketing Agency

Yes, we help promote your business. Yes, we offer visibility through our directory, newsletters, and social media.

But we are not a full-service marketing firm.

We don’t:

• Manage your digital ads

• Create custom logos or websites

• Run your social media pages

• Produce print collateral

However, we do connect you with local professionals and Chamber members who offer those services—and we’re happy to make referrals when you’re looking to outsource that work.

Chamber visibility complements your marketing strategy. It doesn’t replace it.

3. We Don’t Offer Legal or Financial Advice

Our workshops and events may include sessions on:

• Business taxes

• Legal compliance

• Financial planning

• Grant writing

But those are educational, not consultative.

The Chamber doesn’t:

• Offer personalized legal opinions

• File taxes or business documents for you

• Serve as your accountant or attorney

Instead, we connect members with reputable professionals in the community who can help. And many of them are fellow Chamber members, too.

4. We’re Not a Funding Source

While we’re often a connector for grant opportunities, incentives, and local funding programs, the Chamber itself does not:

• Provide direct financial assistance

• Offer business loans or grants

• Distribute public funds

We’re not a bank, CDFI, or grant-making foundation.

That said, we routinely share information about:

• State and regional small business grants

• ARPA and CARES Act updates

• Workforce development reimbursements

• Local nonprofit and economic development funders

So while we won’t write you a check, we’ll make sure you know where to go—and help you prepare to apply.

5. We Don’t Guarantee Sales, Leads, or Growth

We believe in the power of relationships, exposure, and opportunity—and we’ve seen our members grow in remarkable ways.

But Chamber membership is not a magic wand.

We can’t guarantee:

• A specific number of new clients or contracts

• Immediate increases in foot traffic

• Automatic exposure without your participation

• Success without effort

Our support works best when you’re engaged. The more you show up—at events, online, through collaboration—the more the Chamber can help amplify your efforts.

6. We Don’t Play Favorites

This is an important one.

We are a member-driven organization, and we take pride in being fair, impartial, and inclusive.

We don’t:

• Favor one business over another

• Prioritize large businesses over small ones

• Exclude nonprofits, startups, or home-based entrepreneurs

• Promote political candidates or parties

We believe every member, regardless of size or type, has a voice and deserves access to the full benefits of Chamber membership.

Our focus is on community-wide economic development, not individual competition.

7. We’re Not the Local Tourism Office (But We Work Closely With Them)

While we host events and promote the region, the Chamber is not the tourism bureau. We don’t:

• Manage tourism campaigns

• Staff visitor centers

• Create travel itineraries

That work is led by tourism departments in Montgomery County, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Radford.

That said, we collaborate often—because business and tourism go hand in hand. If you’re a business that benefits from visitor traffic (like retail, dining, or lodging), we can help you connect with the right tourism contacts.

8. We Don’t Replace Other Community Services

You may also need:

• Economic development guidance

• Technical assistance from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

• Job placement from Virginia Career Works

• Grant-writing help from the Community Foundation

We’re not here to do all those things ourselves—but we’re here to help you navigate who does what.

Chambers succeed by collaborating, not duplicating. When in doubt, we’ll point you in the right direction.

Why Defining What We Don’t Do Helps Us Serve You Better

When members understand the Chamber’s true purpose, they get better results.

We’re here to:

• Advocate for your interests

• Connect you with opportunities and people

• Promote your business

• Educate and inform you

• Help your voice be heard

We’re not here to solve every business challenge—but we are here to help you face those challenges with more support, more clarity, and more confidence.

Questions? Let’s Talk.

If you ever wonder whether something is “a Chamber thing,” just ask. If we can help directly, we will. If not, we’ll introduce you to someone who can.

• Contact us at: marketing@montgomerycc.org

• Learn more at: www.montgomerycc.org

• Attend an upcoming event: https://business.montgomerycc.org/events/calendar