In Recognition: State Rep. Michael Rice, above, presents a General Assembly citation 

to outgoing and long time South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce board member Paula Spirito.

By HANNAH CONNORTON

NARRAGANSETT - It’s inescapable, the wrath of the economy today - bankrupt
businesses, foreclosed homes, a barely existent employment market in the
state - the list is endless, and growing. Most would assume an
organization committed to promoting spending and growth in local business
would flounder at a time such as this. However, at the Narragansett
Chamber of Commerce (NCC), it’s simply not the case.
The chamber  has seen a membership increase of just over 10 percent in the
past year, raising their roster from 280 businesses to 312.

By HANNAH CONNORTON

NARRAGANSETT - It’s inescapable, the wrath of the economy today - bankrupt
businesses, foreclosed homes, a barely existent employment market in the
state - the list is endless, and growing. Most would assume an
organization committed to promoting spending and growth in local business
would flounder at a time such as this. However, at the Narragansett
Chamber of Commerce (NCC), it’s simply not the case.
The chamber  has seen a membership increase of just over 10 percent in the
past year, raising their roster from 280 businesses to 312.
“The economy has something to do with it,” Debbie Kelso, the chamber’s
executive director, said, “you’d think the opposite. I think people
realize they need extra help - promotion, marketing - all the things we
can do.”
Kelso has been the executive director at the chamber for two years. To
belong to the NCC, she explained, is affordable; membership fees pertain
to a sliding scale, which is based on the number of a company’s employees.
A company with 5 or fewer employees owes dues of $150 a year, or $12.50 a
month. Larger businesses, such as hotels, would owe dues around $350 a
year. These dues allow business networking, marketing, education, and
advocation opportunities.
“Local business is always our focus,” Kelso said. “That’s what we do best,
is promote local business.”
The chamber has been exploring new venues to help make local business more
profitable and stronger, including the recent joining of a new energy
group called the Chamber Power Group. The group permits NCC, along with a
host of other chambers of commerce throughout the state, to allow members
the opportunity to save between 10 and 20 percent on their electric bills.
Kelso explained that a number of chambers have joined forces to create the
large buying group, what she sees as a form of consolidation. “It’s
working for all of us,” Kelso said.
NCC recognizes local benevolence by presenting a community service award
annually, given this year to the Narragansett Lions Club. Richard Reich,
president of the Narragansett Lions Club, accepted the award at an annual
chamber dinner on Oct. 20.
“[Narragansett Lions] do a phenomenal job helping this community,” Kelso
said.
The award is named for Kelso’s late husband, James Kelso, who was a state
representative, one of the owners of the Coast Guard House restaurant, and
a philanthropist. His passing 10 years ago spurred the establishment of
the award, for a man who Kelso said “cared about the community.”
Recipients of the award are decided on by a committee made up of NCC board
members, headed by Bay Realty realtor Andy Robinson.
“[The Lions] are just the kind of men and women who give their time and
effort and talent to do good for their community,” Robinson said in a
speech at the chamber dinner.
Robinson illustrated for the audience the spectrum of charity the Lions
contribute to, from giving a winter jacket to a local child in need to
sending blind children to summer camp; from helping to offset the cost of
oil to families that have fallen behind financially, to raising thousands
of dollars on behalf of families who lost loved ones in the Station fire.
The Lions are the  largest service organization worldwide, and of the
45,000 chapters, the Narragansett Lions are within the world’s 10 largest
- and the third largest in the nation.
“It’s excellent, forty years of Lionism in the community was recognized,”
Reich said of receiving the award. “It was a special honor.”
NCC also collaborates with the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce on a
monthly basis, coming together for “Networking at Noon”, where members
have the opportunity to get together with one another over lunch to
connect and talk business.
In December, the NCC joins Narr. Parks and Recreation to take part in the
town’s Festival of Lights event, which includes a 5K run on the beach or a
2 mile walk, the lighting of the town tree and a fireworks show at night.
This year, the Festival of Lights will take place on Sunday, Dec. 6.
In addition to these events, the NCC organizes and assists with numerous
community events, such as the Pier Plunge on New Year’s Day and the
Blessing of the Fleet road race.
“The chamber is not only a business organization and advocacy group,”
Kelso said, “because of our location, we’re in the center of the activity,
so we become an advocate for lots of community happenings, and we’re happy
to do it.”
Kelso said the chamber is interested in participating in anything - and
everything - that comes its way, including holding a seat on the economic
development council and electing a board member to serve on the library
building committee board. Kelso said [the chamber] is fortunate to have
receptive members of town government that are interested in the chamber’s
point of view.
“The chamber is really striving to be the center of business in
Narragansett,” Kelso said, “We want to be involved, and we are. It’s a
great government-private industry partnership.”