The Tamworth Business Chamber will soon consider whether or not to offer free membership to local businesses during the coronavirus lockdown.
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Armidale's chamber decided at its monthly meeting to wave the fees during the COVID-19 crisis.
But Tamworth's chamber, which employs two people, has much greater overhead costs than any other business representative group in the region.
They also have time to spare in making the decision, because their membership is paid annually at the start of the financial year.
President Jye Segboer said the chamber's board will make a decision one way or the other within a few weeks.
"At this point in time we are going through how our next financial year's membership will work," he said.
At the moment we've taken the policy to engage with any business that needs support and help through this time regardless of whether they're a member or not.
- Jye Segboer
"At the moment we've taken the policy to engage with any business that needs support and help through this time regardless of whether they're a member or not."
The Tamworth chamber receives no subsidy from state or federal government.
It earns its entire income through membership, sponsorship, and events.
And with no events on the horizon, any decision needs to "ensure the viability of the organisation," Mr Segboer said.
The state business representative organisation, which recently rebranded as Business NSW, is going through a process of changing its membership fee structure and will adopt a new model in the next month or so.
Tamworth will follow their lead and adopt a free option for members. Businesses can choose to pay to receive more benefits.
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"The idea is we want to engage with as many businesses as we possibly can and show the strength of our support to our local business community," he said.
At the moment Tamworth chamber membership goes for $120 a year.
Armidale's Chamber decided not charge membership fees during the COVID-19 period.
They will review their structure during the crisis and beyond.
