It was 1929 when the Glasgow-Barren County Chamber of Commerce first formed, and it is still going strong in 2011. These days, the chamber serves 450 members and is involved in several community and business efforts, including the following:

Shopping Is Hopping

The chamber has launched a program called Buy Barren First, which encourages people to buy products as well as support services in the area to help the local economy.

“Nationwide statistics show that for every $100 a person spends in the local economy, $68 stays in the community,” says Ernie Myers, chamber executive vice president. “A dollar then turns five to seven times before leaving the community.”

Myers emphasizes that the Buy Barren First campaign isn’t a one-time effort – the chamber hopes it will last long into the future.

Feeding Is Believing

Barren County is home to many good restaurants, and the chamber brings many of them together each October for an evening called A Taste of Barren County.

“Our chamber and the Cave City Chamber of Commerce co-host this event to allow the public to sample excellent food prepared by local restaurants and caterers,” says Ann Stewart, Glasgow-Barren County Chamber of Commerce marketing and tourism director. “Tickets are $15, and it is a deliciously interesting evening.”

Lead by Example

In 2011, the chamber’s Leadership Glasgow-Barren County program is celebrating its 20th anniversary. A total of 20 to 30 students each year participate in a 10-month program to learn about the community and learn how to become better leaders.

“We’ve had almost 500 leaders graduate from our Leadership Program,” Myers says.

Participants might visit a school one month to learn about education, visit city hall another month to see local government in action, then learn about health care, law enforcement, public works and other aspects of Glasgow-Barren County in subsequent months.

They Mean Business

In February 2011, the chamber and T.J. Samson Community Hospital will host a Small Business Expo that is open to everyone throughout Barren County and surrounding communities.

“Actually, we are planning at least two business expos in 2011, and we might even have three,” Myers says. “We haven’t hosted expos in several years but with the national economy still struggling, we want to further help our membership in any ways possible – and these business expos will help.”

Youth Be Served

Last but certainly not least, Barren County was chosen as one of the "100 Best Communities for Young People in 2010," as selected by America's Promise Alliance (children and youth advocacy organization) along with ING financial group. The award recognizes community-wide programs in Barren County geared toward keeping youth in school and preparing them for college and eventual 21st-Century careers.