Inside Holly Springs Growth with Tonya Palumbo

Executive Director Tonya Palumbo discusses how the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce supports local businesses as a 501(c)(6) membership organization, distinct from government and from 501(c)(3) nonprofits. She shares how member needs have shifted through rapid growth and rising costs, highlighting resources like business education, advocacy, networking, and access to small-business health insurance options through partnerships including the NC Chamber and Carolina HealthWorks. Palombo explains initiatives such as joint ribbon cuttings that connect multiple businesses at once and the chamber’s supplier program that helps historically underutilized businesses become HUB certified and connect with large employers like Fujifilm and Amgen to keep spending local. She also covers fundraising efforts that have raised over $100,000 for the Holly Springs Food Cupboard, downtown revitalization, community festivals, and the chamber’s milestone of a female-led executive committee and board.00:00 Meet Tonya Palumbo02:20 Photography Roots03:51 What Chambers Do04:54 Small Business Needs08:06 Big Growth Impact08:44 Supplier Hub Program10:52 Downtown Boom12:52 Joint Ribbon Cuttings16:21 Food Cupboard Fundraising18:48 Women Leading Chamber21:30 Supplier Program Deep Dive23:58 Events And Future26:07 Why Join Chamber28:37 How To Connect29:11 Closing Thanks