Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce and Jamestown Tourism
Serving different purposes yet working towards a common goal of serving the community, the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism departments have teamed up to create an excellent partnership. The two organizations came together in 2022 in hopes that sharing resources would lead to accomplishing more overall. The Chamber focuses on the business community, while Tourism’s objective is to create experiences and job opportunities in Jamestown. Chamber of Commerce Director Emily Bivens explained, “It’s common for these departments to overlap because there are efficiencies when working together.” Jamestown Tourism Visitor Experience Manager Allison Limke added, “We are both cheerleaders in the community, celebrating all the good things happening here.” By putting their heads together, they are forward-thinking in the projects they take on and the programs they offer.
Operating as a unique type of non-profit is a little different than the private sector but has worked well for the organization. The Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce distinguishes itself through several key offerings. These include the impressive size of its member organizations, such as the Chamber Ambassadors and the Young Professionals of Jamestown. Additionally, the chamber hosts several community events throughout the year to bring together businesses and residents. Moreover, Jamestown Tourism provides grant opportunities for local businesses and organizations, further supporting the community. “Both the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism departments look very different from what they were ten years ago, and we are continuously looking for ways to improve,” Emily said.
While there are certainly always challenges to overcome, Allison spoke about her favorite aspects of her role. “I love being a part of creating memorable moments for both residents and visitors of Jamestown. That, and the ice cream at the Frontier Village,” she joked. Since the two departments merged, they have worked hard to create new experiences at the Frontier Village, including the new Rotary Gatehouse, scavenger hunt, new playground and locally sourced products. The Frontier Village is a terrific attraction for travelers needing a place to stop along the interstate for a stretch break, as well as area residents visiting Jamestown.
Because the Frontier Village is off-site from the Tourism office, both locations are connected with Dakota Central Internet and Phone service which allows for communication between sites. Guest Wi-Fi is also available at the Frontier Village, a nice amenity for visitors. “Internet connectivity is essential in order to process point-of-sale transactions at the Village,” Emily explained. “Because of that, local support is huge for us. We would lose out on sales if we didn’t have someone to call that can help out right away if we have issues.” The Frontier Village is also monitored by security cameras, allowing staff to keep an eye on the location when they’re not present.
Future hopes for the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism departments include plans to remodel the current office space which will allow for a dedicated visitor center for Tourism, and DMV kiosks for added convenience. As for the community, “our goal is to inspire more businesses to expand on the art murals around Jamestown, creating an ‘Art Walk’ of sorts,” Emily described. “The newest mural painted on the Hugo’s building along 1st Avenue has created such positive buzz that it would be fun to see the momentum continue with more creative murals.”
Dakota Central is proud to provide service to the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism departments so they can focus on what they do best- making connections that matter.
