About Us
Our Team
Amanda Benfield, IOM
President /CEO
abenfield@laurenscounty.org
Marlene Owings
Vice President of Accounting & Operations
mowings@laurenscounty.org
Graysen Martin
Communications & Marketing Coordinator
gmartin@laurenscounty.org
Christian Taylor
Tourism Marketing Manager
ctaylor@laurenscounty.org
Courtney Stonell
Beautification Affiliate Coordinator
cstonell@laurenscounty.org
Beverly Lockaby
Administrative Assistance
blockaby@laurenscounty.org
Our Mission
To serve as the unified voice to promote, strengthen and develop Laurens County by connecting organizations, supporting businesses, and building community.
The goals of the Chamber are to work toward the continual upgrading of the quality of life factors in the service area: improved living conditions, the overall appearance and beauty, expansion of community facilities and services, cultural and educational resources, and other general environmental qualities of the community-at-large.
The Chamber works for its members by providing quality products and services to help businesses be successful and to make Laurens County a great place to live and work.
Whether you’re a newcomer, visitor or longtime resident, we know you’ll find the Chamber of Commerce beneficial to your goals both personal and professional. In Laurens County, Chamber members are the core of every success we enjoy.
What We Do
As the unified voice for existing businesses as well as community development leader, successfully carrying out our mission is critical to ensuring the continued growth for Laurens County. The Chamber of Commerce touches many aspects of economic & community development by supporting all local businesses and hosting events that promote the entire County. Through Workforce Development initiatives and proactive retail recruitment efforts in conjunction with the Laurens County Development Corporation, as well as community support campaigns such as “The Laurens County Future Scholarship” & “Beautify Laurens County.” We are working to improve our local economy and community, and this organization captures more than 35% of all businesses in Laurens County as active Chamber members.
We are depended upon to provide vital and timely communication to members in regard to legislative issues that directly affect this community. The organization provides a vehicle in which a countywide legislative agenda is created and advocated for in Columbia and Washington DC. Our tourism marketing and recruiting/retention of young professional talent are essential for making Laurens County a destination of choice regionally. The unparalleled training of future business leaders as well as talented high school students lays a foundation on which our bright future is built. Our successful programs, committees and initiatives are inner woven into the fabric of our growing County.
Strong community development is a large and irreplaceable component of successful economic development. Once businesses, industries and citizens are recruited there must be a comprehensive support element in place to retain them. The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce has been validated in this role over the past few years with 3 awards to include two National Chamber of the Year honors as well as the 2011 SCDOT Outstanding Group of the Year for the Beautify Laurens County project. The continued growth and success of Laurens County is largely dependent upon a strong Chamber of Commerce.