Businesses have an opportunity to create and sustain a culture that encourages their employees to engage with the community. Many companies, both local and national, make community involvement and engagement a vital part of their culture, inspiring employees to regularly serve the community in which they live, work, and raise a family. Community involvement not only strengthens the connection between organizations and businesses but most importantly, between residents and the community. If you haven’t already, I challenge everyone to make conscious efforts to get involved and ensure we are creating more opportunities to interact together.

Being part of the Meridian business community – especially as members of the Meridian Chamber of Commerce – offers a unique opportunity for businesses to engage in events and activities for all to enjoy. These events play a crucial role in positively impacting residents by fostering a sense of belonging and building meaningful connections. Whether through hosting and sponsoring community events, volunteering their time to help local nonprofits, or participating in educational initiatives, businesses have various avenues to contribute. By actively engaging and collaborating at a local level, businesses not only benefit themselves but also support those in need, growing mutually beneficial relationships that thrive on the social connections within the community.

The City of Meridian encourages relationships between our businesses and community organizations. Without the support of our businesses, many of the things we enjoy might not be possible including City events such as Sparklight Movie Night, the always popular Dairy Days, or sports leagues and programs. Many of these happen through joint efforts of both businesses and non-profits, and of course, volunteers! In addition, these events and activities are a great way to get involved and find connections with both business and organization participants. If you are looking for opportunities for you or your business to get involved, you can check out the variety of city events here ».

If you are looking for ways to support the small business community in Meridian, this year you will find two outdoor markets. The Meridian Main Street Market kicked off on April 13, and will run through October in downtown Meridian near City Hall. New this year, the South Meridian Market at Pinnacle, which is located at the future site of the South Branch Library and Amphitheater, started April 10th and will run monthly on the 2nd Wednesday from 5 pm - 8 pm. These markets are a great way for residents to find connections around food and crafts, revitalizing the ways that consumers shop and eat.

So, whether you are a business or individual, I hope you will find ways to support, volunteer, or get involved in Meridian's events and activities that contribute to our quality of life and create opportunities to connect with others and build our community.