For Immediate Release November 15, 2023   Contact: Becki Womble, CCE, IOM President & CEO (512) 303-0558 bwomble@bastropchamber.com

   


[BASTROP, TEXAS – November 15, 2023] – The Bastrop Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that it has achieved the prestigious Accreditation with Four-Star Distinction from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. This accreditation is a testament to the chamber's commitment to excellence and its outstanding contributions to positive change in the local community. With this distinction, the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce stands out as one of only 199 Accredited Chambers in the United States, and only 44 accredited Chambers in Texas.

“Accreditation is a significant accomplishment for the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce,” stated Becki Womble, President & CEO.  “The idea of applying for Accreditation was initially brought forth by our Board of Directors in 2014.  At that time, we identified areas on which we needed to focus our work, and the Board placed the goal of applying for U.S. Chamber Accreditation into our 2019 Strategic Plan.”

Accreditation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a highly selective and rigorous program that sets the standard for excellence in the industry in the areas of Governance, Finance, Human Resources, Government Affairs, Program Development, Technology, Communication, Facilities, and Benchmarking.  With approximately 7,000 Chambers across the United States, achieving this accreditation is a significant honor that distinguishes the high quality, expertise, and strong leadership demonstrated by local Chambers of Commerce.
Accreditation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reinforces the commitment of the Bastrop Chamber in several key areas:

• Reviewing, Improving, and Promoting Strong Business Practices: The Chamber continually assesses and enhances its business practices, ensuring it remains a valuable resource for the business community.
• Recognizing Leadership and Outstanding Contributions to the Community: This accreditation acknowledges the Chamber's dedication to driving positive change within the community and recognizing outstanding leaders who make a significant impact.
• Supporting the Principles of Free Enterprise and Promoting Pro-Growth Policies: The Chamber actively advocates for pro-growth policies at the federal, state, and local levels, promoting a favorable environment for businesses and economic development.
• Establishing Best Practices and Staying In-Step with Industry Changes: The Bastrop Chamber of Commerce stays current with industry best practices, ensuring that it remains a dynamic and effective organization.

Since the program's inception in 1964, an impressive 900 Chambers have applied but only 199 Chambers have received accreditation, representing a mere 3% of the total applicants. Of these accredited Chambers, 44 are in the great state of Texas.  The Bastrop Chamber of Commerce's achievement of Accreditation with Four-Star Distinction places it at the forefront of these outstanding Texas Chambers.

“The Bastrop Chamber of Commerce is proud to have achieved this Four-Star Distinction, which underscores its commitment to fostering a thriving business environment in Central Texas and beyond and to supporting the Bastrop community's growth and prosperity,” stated Ms. Womble.
For more information about the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce, please contact Becki Womble, President & CEO, at bwomble@bastropchamber.com, or (512) 303-0558.

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The mission of the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce is "To improve business prosperity and, thereby, the quality of life in Bastrop County, through leadership, advocacy, and collaboration." Currently, the Chamber serves a membership of over 800 members throughout Bastrop County and Central Texas and is consistently ranked in the Top 5 Largest Chambers by the Austin Business Journal. To learn more and/or join the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.bastropchamber.com.