Greater Haverhill residents may never be bored again, thanks to Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce's new Web site that allow community discussions, promotes events and even allows people to purchase goods and services from Chamber businesses from the comfort of their own homes.
The Chamber, under the leadership of President/Chief Executive Office James P. Jajuga since August, set out to redesign its Web presence last fall. Jajuga's desire was and is to make the Chamber more relevant to the community as a whole, not just Chamber members.
The first step is a user-friendly site that is home to an interactive calendar where events for all communities served by the Chamber are listed.
By simply clicking on a given date, the user will see all events happening in any of the 14 communities the Chamber serves in Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire.
But that's not the only new feature on the site. The Chamber will host a blog where moderators will ask a relevant question of the week for all communities — both a Massachusetts-specific and a New Hampshire-specific question — and residents can answer via the discussion board.
"This will stimulate interest in the Chamber, and keep everyone informed," said Leanne Eastman, event coordinator.
Another feature just up, the Online Marketplace, allows Web surfers to purchase goods and services from downtown boutiques or galleries from the privacy and comfort of their own homes.
The Chamber is increasing its reach in other ways, too.
In the spring, the Chamber partnered with the Haverhill Downtown Association to focus on the growing and changing business district and neighborhood.
"Merging with the Downtown Association is something that we're very excited about," said Eastman. "We will now be helping out with events planned by the group, like Kidsfest and Christmas Stroll."
The Downtown Association was created about seven years ago, out of a need to focus on downtown Haverhill.
"The Chamber is focused on communitywide issues," said Jajuga. "They (the Downtown Association) felt that there should be an organization that focused on downtown."
The job proved to be trying for those involved, making a partnership between the groups very attractive and promising.
"Quite frankly, we recognize that as a Chamber it's critical. If we're going to have any success in growing (the Chamber) and making Haverhill a better place to work and live, we've got to take care of our core responsibilities — focusing on downtown," Jajuga said.
But apart from the downtown issues, Haverhill has a lot to crow about, said Jajuga, citing as examples that the city offers residents and tourists great highway access, golf courses, lakes, and wonderful people.
"It's a great place — a great region — to live in," Jajuga said. "We haven't harnessed it properly. And that's where the focus of the Chamber is going right now, working with those areas that will help bring business, jobs and tourists."
One way to bring city residents and tourists downtown is the proposed riverwalk along the Merrimack River. The project would bring a riverside marketplace to the Haverhill side of the river, and a landscaped walking path along the Bradford side.
Jajuga said the project "would be a tremendous economic boon to the downtown area." He also noted it presents "another reason to come to the downtown." Jajuga believes little shops and boutiques would be attracted to the revitalized riverfront.
"(The river) is something we haven't taken advantage of. We've kind of ignored it," Jajuga said. "I think its time has come. The mayor is focused on this. Reps. Brian Dempsey, Harriett Stanley, Barbara L'Italien and Sen. Steve Baddour all recognize that this riverwalk and walking path are critical."
Once the riverwalk is complete, businesses will probably want to make the river-facing side of their properties accessible, and new signage would need to be coordinated, said Jajuga.
For the riverwalk to come to fruition, Eastman and Jajuga believe the No. 1 priority is a trip to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal legislators in person.
"We want to say, 'Listen, this is critical to the rebirth of downtown Haverhill," Jajuga said. "No one has a river running through downtown like this. It's very unique."
Jajuga said money could be available as early as the start of the federal fiscal year on Oct. 1, if it is pursued correctly.
Support, input and feedback from residents are part of the strategy.
"Residents are now working with us," Jajuga said. "The more of us that work together and get involved ... it's like the old adage that a rising tide lifts all boats ... everyone wins in the end. That's what we're looking for. To collaborate with as many people as we can, and make this a great place to live, work and do business. And we're getting there. It's going to take all of us to bring this city and this region to the level where I think it should be."
