To mark the start of its $503k Business Revival Program, the Lithgow District Chamber of Commerce has decided to further expand its support of local businesses that may be financially suffering from the effects of the bushfires and the pandemic by waiving its membership fee for 2022.

At a public meeting on Monday night, the Chamber executive proposed that in the spirit of collaboration it would share its good fortune with the community and waive the annual membership to all Seven Valleys businesses for the 2022 calendar year.  

“Many small to medium sized businesses in the community have suffered financially from bushfires, floods and now COVID over the last two years. This includes sole traders, part-time businesses and tradies, so we want to reach out to support them,” said President Peter Pilbeam.

“Our funding was received to run a program of events including a Start Up event to encourage businesses entrepreneurship, so we would like to extend our support to the very businesses that the funding was received to support,” he said.

The meeting discussed this proposal in some detail and noted that the waiving of the 2022 fees was in line with the Chamber’s mission to Build Solid Foundations for a Brighter Future. The fee will be waived for membership from December 2021 to December 2022. Those who had already paid their fee for 2022 will have their membership extended to 2023.

To apply for free membership, go to the Chamber web site at Lithgow.org.au/Membership  or call 0403 397 645.