Thank you, Chamber members, for keeping your chins held high during these past few weeks!

It never ceases to amaze me the tenacity and determination to help our fellow citizen during times of need. The River Region never seems to fail. We have all of you in our prayers — as you once again work to rebuild, please know, you not only have one parish that wants to help you, but three.

I hope you were able to read the recent emails, Chassity McComack, our Executive Director shared on how the Parish Presidents of St. Charles, St. John, and St. James worked together to help those in need. Thank you President Cochran, President Robottom, and ever more President Roussel!

A wise person once told me that it was not only the fact that you stand back up when pushed to the ground, it is also HOW to rise to the occasion that counts. Progress will prevail as long as we can help each other remain positive and hopeful to reinforce that stability can be re-established.

The RRCC is looking into partnering education with business with our Workforce Development initiatives.

Our renamed Workforce Development Committee is still looking to host a roundtable of Industry and Education leaders to prioritize the gaps present when trying to fill the demand of skilled labor.

One purpose of a Chamber of Commerce is to seek out the myriad of opportunities to serve as a catalyst to help forge such partnerships. Like education and business, these two entities when involved with a common purpose help provide synergy to strengthen our future generations.

Articles have already been published in both L’OBSERVATEUR and the St. Charles Herald Guide about how the River Region Chamber is leading this initiative. Join in and help be a part of this process.

Today, we are asking ourselves, how can we utilize more technology to help reach our next generation to show them the benefits lie ahead for them?

How do we get our citizens to take a closer look at the plethora of incoming jobs so they can stay close to their families and friends?

Can we find ways to reduce duplicate spending of organizations and work towards a more efficient path of training our local work force?

If you want to contribute to this cause, if you want to be a part of the tri-parish workforce development initiative, please call our office and come join our next RRCC Workforce Development meeting.

We already are partnering with the River Parish Workforce Development – Area 14 Organization, as well as GNO, Inc. We are always looking for eager positive thinkers to help continue to grow the River Region.

Annette B. Wray 

RRCC Chair, 2016 

Service Manager, Cox Business