Understanding Your Chamber – Part 3

In our last Understanding Your Chamber article, we explored the different roles community organizations play in moving Troy forward. This time, we’re taking a closer look at one organization that works closely with the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce: the Troy Development Council. 

You may have heard the name. You may have seen TDC involved in conversations about business growth or investment. And because the Troy Area Chamber and Troy Development Council work closely together, you may have wondered: 

What’s the difference between the two? 

It’s a good question. 

Two Organizations. Two Missions. One Stronger Troy. 

The Troy Area Chamber of Commerce and Troy Development Council are separate organizations with distinct responsibilities. 

The Chamber represents and supports the business community through advocacy, connections, programming, leadership development, workforce initiatives, and member services. 

The Troy Development Council focuses on economic development - helping create a place where businesses can invest, grow, and create opportunities in Troy. 

The organizations work closely together because a strong business community and a strong local economy naturally go hand in hand. 

What Does Economic Development Actually Mean? 

The phrase “economic development” can sound complicated. At its core, it’s really about creating opportunity. 

That can mean helping an existing Troy business expand. 

It can mean connecting a company with resources it needs to make an investment. 

It can mean responding to a business considering Troy for a new location. 

It can mean working with property owners, developers, utilities, government partners, and others to help determine whether a potential project is feasible. 

And sometimes economic development means simply building relationships today that may create opportunities years from now. 

Successful economic development is rarely the work of one organization. It needs collaboration among businesses, government, education, workforce partners, utilities, property owners, and community organizations. 

TDC helps connect those pieces. 

What Does TDC Do? 

The Troy Development Council’s work centers on supporting Troy’s long-term economic strength. 

That includes efforts such as: 

• Supporting the retention and expansion of existing businesses 

• Responding to businesses considering investment in Troy 

• Connecting companies with appropriate local, regional, and state resources 

• Assisting with site-selection and development inquiries 

• Building relationships with employers, developers, and economic development partners 

• Supporting workforce and talent initiatives 

• Promoting Troy as a competitive place to invest and do business 

Much of this work happens through relationships. 

A conversation with an existing employer may uncover an opportunity for expansion. A site-selection inquiry may require information about utilities, workforce, or available property. A business facing a challenge may need to be connected with the right organization. 

TDC helps businesses navigate those conversations and connections. 

What Doesn’t TDC Do? 

Understanding TDC also means understanding the limits of its role. 

The Troy Development Council is not local government. 

TDC does not independently change zoning, approve development plans, issue building permits, annex property, or enact local laws. 

Those responsibilities belong to the appropriate governmental bodies and are carried out through established public processes. 

TDC can provide information. It can connect people. It can advocate for economic opportunity. It can help guide businesses through the development process.