Bedford Chamber achieves 4 Star Accreditation

    The Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce has achieved 4 Star Accreditation with the United States Chamber of Commerce. According to Susan Martin, the Chamber’s president, this puts the Bedford Area Chamber in the top 4 percent of chambers nationwide.

John Barnhart

Anita Lowe, vice chairman of the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors, and Susan Martin, the Chamber’s president, draws a business card for a prize.

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John Barnhart

Susan Martin, president of the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, cuts a cake celebrating the Chamber’s four star accreditation.

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John Barnhart

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    “It validates a lot of programs we have in the community,” commented Anita Lowe, vice chairman of the Bedford Area Chamber’s board of directors. “I think it boosts the community.”
    In order to achieve this accreditation, the Bedford Chamber had to demonstrate competence in nine areas, including finance and facilities.
    Local chambers of commerce are accredited 3 Star, 4 Star or 5 Star.
    According to the U. S. Chamber’s Web site, accreditation “defines excellence in chamber planning and recognizes chambers for outstanding contributions toward positive change in their communities.” The Web site states that only 234 out of about 7,000 chambers, nationwide, are accredited.
    Martin said that chambers are reaccredited every five years. This is the Bedford Area Chamber’s second accreditation. The first one was a 3 Star rating.
    According to Martin, all members of the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce are automatically members of the United States Chamber of Commerce.