"The North Shore Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to actively shaping public policy and events so that decisions by business and government result in an improved economy and quality of life for the region."

accomplishes this mission by addressing the needs of the member firms by monitoring legislative issues that have an impact on the cost of doing business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Over the past several years, the North Shore Chamber, along with other regional business organizations, has been a successful force in reducing the added burdens on business by keeping close ties with state, local and federal legislators. When an issue arises, the Chamber has been there to fight for the business point of view. Examples of these legislative issues include worker's compensation insurance rates, unemployment compensation rates, bank tax reform, single sales factor tax, seaport bond bill, property taxes/tax classification, water and sewer rate relief, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and several others.

Another important area where the Chamber has been an influencing factor is regional economic development initiatives. Here the Chamber uses its influence to coordinate the many organizations dedicated to improving the economic climate in the region so that the business community can assimilate all of the pertinent data, obtain assistance where necessary, reduce wasteful excess costs, work with the governmental offices designed to assist them and become more competitive, effective and efficient in their operations, with a desire to expand their companies in the State. Examples of current issues the Chamber is addressing include transportation improvements along Routes 128, 95, 93, 1, and 114, regional purchasing efforts with area municipalities, coordination of regional planning groups, continued use of Hanscom Air Force Base, monitoring of the SESD secondary construction plant, and many others. The Chamber also unveiled a new regional economic development brochure which will assist in the efforts to attract new businesses to the north of Boston region.

Our member firms also have the opportunity to take advantage of numerous business development programs all aimed at helping their companies to reduce costs, increase their firm's exposure and expand their knowledge of the business happenings in the region. In addition, there are many group benefit programs available for the small business community - more details are enclosed on the following pages.

In summary, the North Shore Chamber of Commerce is the only unified "voice for business" north of Boston. Companies do not have the time or the resources to address all the many legislative and economic development issues that arise each day. This is why the North Shore Chamber of Commerce exists - to be the principal organization, working full-time on their behalf. Together the Chamber and the business community can maintain the free enterprise system.