Understanding Your Chamber – Part 2

One of Troy’s greatest strengths is the number of organizations and people working every day to move our community forward.

It can also make things a little confusing.

The Troy Area Chamber of Commerce, Troy Development Council, City of Troy, Troy Main Street, Miami County, The Troy Foundation, and other community partners frequently work together. Because you may see many of the same organizations around the same table, it can sometimes be difficult to understand where one organization’s role ends, and another begins.

So, who does what?

Troy Area Chamber of Commerce: The Voice of Business

The Troy Area Chamber of Commerce exists to support and represent our local business community.

We connect businesses with people and resources, develop leaders, provide programming and education, support workforce initiatives, and advocate on issues affecting our members and Troy’s business climate.

That advocacy is an important distinction.

The Chamber can support or oppose a proposed policy. We can provide information. We can bring business leaders together. We can communicate concerns to public officials.

But the Chamber does not make governmental decisions.

We do not approve zoning requests, issue permits or vote on development projects. Our responsibility is to make sure the perspective of Troy’s business community is represented as those decisions are considered.

Troy Development Council: Supporting Economic Development

The Troy Development Council, or TDC, is a separate nonprofit organization that works closely with the Chamber to encourage economic investment and business growth in Troy.

Its work includes supporting business attraction, retention and expansion; building relationships with existing and prospective employers; connecting businesses with resources; assisting with site-selection inquiries; and promoting Troy as a place to invest and create jobs.

Economic development often depends on collaboration among businesses, property owners, developers, utilities, government agencies and other partners. TDC can help bring those pieces together.

But TDC does not independently approve zoning changes, annexations, permits or development projects.

Those decisions belong to the appropriate public bodies.

City of Troy: Local Government

The City of Troy provides the municipal services and governmental functions that keep our community operating.

City staff manages areas such as infrastructure, public safety, utilities, planning, zoning administration, and other public services. They also review development proposals and provide professional and technical guidance as projects move through established processes.

Some decisions can be handled administratively. Others require consideration by appointed or elected public bodies.

Planning Commission: Land Use and Development Review

The Troy Planning Commission plays an important role in reviewing certain planning, zoning, subdivision, and development matters.

Depending upon the issue, the Commission may review proposals, consider how they fit with Troy’s plans and zoning requirements, receive public input, and either make a decision or provide a recommendation to City Council.

This is one of the places where Troy’s public decision-making process becomes especially visible.

Troy City Council: Elected Decision-Making

Troy City Council is the City’s elected legislative body.

Council adopts ordinances, considers certain zoning and development matters, approves budgets and public expenditures, and makes many of the policy decisions that define the future of our community.

Council meetings also provide an important opportunity for citizens and stakeholders to participate in local government.

Ultimately, elected officials are accountable to the citizens they represent.

Miami County: Our Regional Partner

Many issues extend beyond Troy’s city limits.

Miami County provides countywide services and plays an important role in areas ranging from infrastructure and public health to workforce, planning, economic development and other regional initiatives.

The Chamber, TDC, City and County regularly collaborate because businesses and employees rarely operate within neat jurisdictional boundaries.

Troy Main Street: Championing Downtown

Troy Main Street focuses specifically on the vitality of downtown Troy.

Through business support, events, promotions, historic preservation, beautification and placemaking, Troy Main Street supports maintaining a vibrant downtown that attracts residents, visitors and investment.

A strong downtown is also an important part of Troy’s overall economic health.

The Troy Foundation: Investing in Community

The Troy Foundation serves another distinct role: philanthropy.

The Foundation manages charitable resources and supports nonprofit organizations, community initiatives and projects that enhance quality of life throughout Troy.

It is independent of the Chamber, TDC and local government, while frequently partnering with organizations throughout the community.

Different Roles. Shared Community.

Perhaps the most important point is this:

Collaboration does not mean control.

A business expansion or development opportunity, for example, may include the TDC working with a company, the Chamber providing the business perspective, City staff reviewing requirements, the Planning Commission considering land-use questions, residents providing input, and City Council ultimately making a public decision.

Those organizations may communicate and collaborate throughout the process, but each has a different responsibility.

That’s how healthy communities work.

Businesses deserve a voice.

Residents deserve a voice.

Community organizations bring expertise and resources.

Professional staff provides guidance.

And public officials make public decisions through established processes.

We won’t always agree on every issue facing Troy, nor should we expect to. Thoughtful disagreement and public participation are part of a strong community.

What matters is that we continue talking to one another, understand our respective roles and work together toward a Troy that remains a great place to live, work, build a business and invest.

At the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce, we’re proud to be one of many organizations working toward that goal.

We act as a catalyst for business growth, a convener of people and ideas, and a champion for Troy’s business community.