For chambers and similar membership associations, partnerships known as affinity programs make sense. Affinity programs offer the members a unique product or service and generate some revenue to the association, which helps offset membership fees. The Marietta Area Chamber has long had two affinity programs; the Caseworks workers compensation group plan and the Anthem group health Insurance plan. Both of these programs offer cost-savings to the Chamber members. In 2009 companies participating in either of those plans saved over $310,000 collectively.
Add in the $232,000 saved by companies participating in the Mid-Ohio Valley Safety Council, and you can see that the Chamber members save over $500,000 through their Chamber membership. As the Chamber encourage spending your hard-earned dollars in our local economy, these programs play a big role in keeping money in our town and county: real dollars that stay in this community to be used by the companies for reinvestment in training, in equipment, in jobs, and profits for the shareholders.
This year we introduced a new affinity program with SMC Communications, which provides our members with an opportunity to save on telecommunications expenses. This month the Chamber was pleased to be represented at a VIP launch party with SMC Communications to announce a new service solution providing our area companies with faster connectivity at good prices.
Marietta has been home to SMC Communications, its founders, and its employees for many years now. They have long realized that this area is often overlooked by the telecommunications giants. In this highly competitive field, smaller and more rural communities often have fewer choices and less access to a broad range of products. SMC has strived to bring new and innovative telecommunication solutions to our home territory and at the VIP launch party, they announced a new partnership with International Network Solutions (INS), a nationwide voice and data service provider.
Together, SMC and INS have invested considerable amounts, building facilities and establishing their network, with the goal of bringing competitively-priced T1 fiber optic service to Marietta.
In this increasingly-connected world, access to high speed communications is ever more important. Certainly many efforts are underway to bring broadband to the outlaying area of Washington County and beyond. At the same time, it is also necessary that competition for telecommunications service expands. The free enterprise system encourages companies to develop better products and to keep prices competitive. Too often in the more rural areas, there is less competition, resulting in higher prices and less variety in products and services.
The Chamber is pleased that SMC and INS invested in this region and now offer the businesses another choice for their telecommunications needs. This partnership also adds one more item to the menu of benefits we offer our business members. From cost savings of over one-half a million dollars to the $140,000 in Marietta Bucks gift certificates spent at area shops, the Chamber continues to support our local economy, making a better community for all of us to enjoy, whether at work or at home.
