The Chamber works with local industry, public entities and major purchasers to help ensure that they do business with local companies; provides  demographic and economic resource information to those looking to expand or open new businesses; works with developers and businesses investing in our community, providing information about local companies with which they can do business; maintains information about sites and land available for business ventures; works with businesses opening in the area to assist with employment efforts-especially in areas such as job fairs offering employment opportunities to area residents; offers lobbying efforts to assist with issues critical to our area - such as working for approval of street and highway expansion and improvements, ports and waterway developments, air traffic service, and various other types of legislative issues; works with city, county and other officials to create a business-friendly environment; assists members with development and growth of their business, helping with ways to market their business locally as well as through trade shows, and with manufacturer's representatives for product distribution; responds to surveys and requests about our area to those looking to move here or visit; works with groups to address the needs of youth, education and crime; provides public-relation volunteers to welcome new business with ribbon-cuttings and other business celebrations; maintains a Business Resource Library with information available to assist with business start-up and operation, personnel and training, business laws and requirements, personal and professional development, and research material; responds to student requests for information for school projects, papers, etc.; works with community groups to support cooperative efforts among cultural and social groups; sponsors a Business Expo in conjunction with the Greater Beaumont Chamber, providing low-cost opportunities for members to showcase their products and services to potential customers from throughout southeast Texas; assists with commemorative and historical celebrations and events; maintains directories of clubs, organizations, manufacturers, churches, media, and VIP's; coordinates volunteer efforts of members and the public, working through various Chamber committees; distributes current local maps and telephone directories; publishes a monthly newsletter/business report (with circulation in excess of 800 members), that is published in The News; meets with international officials regarding import/export trade opportunities; provides certificates of origin verifying origin of products being supplied; and encourages the public to shop and buy local.