Back in Business

TAMMY PROCTOR, the incoming executive director of the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce, is uniquely qualified for the role. Proctor is currently serving as the chamber’s interim executive director and as Pender County’s director of tourism (a position she’s held for nine years) – but before that, Proctor was Topsail chamber’s executive director from 2013 to 2015. “I’m excited to be back here,” Proctor says. “It’s like coming home.”

The Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism serves portions of Pender and Onslow counties — from Scotts Hill to Sneads Ferry, Proctor says. On the Pender County side, the Burgaw Area Chamber of Commerce also represents Pender business owners.

Proctor has been one of Pender County’s biggest advocates since she moved there permanently 11 years ago. The would-be retiree soon learned that a life of idleness wasn’t for her. Instead, Proctor found that working on behalf of her community is her perfect second career. Once Proctor officially resumes the role of Topsail chamber’s executive director on December 1, she will use all the resources and knowledge she gained in her previous jobs to help Topsail area businesses prosper.

Proctor is taking the chamber’s helm at a time that is particularly important, as the area is experiencing unprecedented growth and development. The greater Topsail area is not only addressing the region’s current boom, Proctor says; it is also planning for economic development well into the future. “There’s nothing stagnant in the region,” she adds. “We are attracting major employers like UPS. There is so much opportunity and growth. It is a win-win to be in this area.”

Proctor will head multiple initiatives to ensure that businesses in the Topsail area benefit from the area’s new-found popularity. For example, one of Proctor’s goals is to boost tourism, which will, in turn, boost business, she says. To make the region a must-see vacation destination, Proctor plans to highlight the unique experiences people can have such as visiting the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center or hiking the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. “When people come to do those things, our businesses will prosper,” Proctor explains. “It’s not just the tourist businesses, it’s all the gas stations and grocery stores. All those businesses benefit.”

Proctor also wants to bring more retail businesses like Target to the area, which she says is essential for the region’s continued growth. Currently, people travel to get to a Target, which means the area loses that revenue, she explains. “It matters where you shop,” says Proctor. “Keeping those tax dollars only helps our community.” Equally important to Proctor is the chamber’s ability to promote local business through events such as the Christmas Flotilla and local Christmas shopping extravaganzas as well as the chamber’s networking opportunities, which Proctor plans to expand in the future.

Though Proctor will be heading up projects large and small in her role as executive director, in each she will be doing what she loves best – bringing people who can help each other build their businesses together. “I have resources to share,” Proctor says. “I like to connect people so their needs are met, and the chamber is a great way to do that.”

Correction: This story has been updated to include more details about Tammy Proctor’s role and the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce’s geographic footprint.

PLUGGING IN: CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Here are the tri-county area’s chambers of commerce that work with businesses. Several of them also have additional programs for female business owners who are members.

Wilmington Chamber of Commerce

1 Estell Lee Place, Wilmington, NC 28401

(910) 762-2611

info@wilmingtonchamber.org

wilmingtonchamber.org

Natalie English (President and CEO)

Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce

112 Pine Street, Shallotte, NC 28470

(910) 754-6644

communications@ brunswickcountychamber.org

brunswickcountychamber.org

Susan Freeman (Executive Director)

Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce

4433 Long Beach Road SE, Southport, NC 28461

(910) 457-6964

info@southport-oakisland.com southport-oakisland.com

Karen Sphar (Executive Vice President)

North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce

497 Olde Waterford Way, Suite 202, Leland, NC 28451

(910) 383-0553

northbrunswickchamber@gmail.com

nbchamberofcommerce.com

Dana Fisher (Executive Director)

Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

13775 Hwy. 50, Suite 101, Surf City, NC 28445

(910) 329-4446 info@topsailchamber.org

topsailchamber.org

www.topsailchamber.org

Tammy Proctor (Executive Director)

Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce

1121 N. Lake Park Boulevard, Carolina Beach, NC 28428

(910) 458-8434

Alannah@pleasureislandnc.org

pleasureislandnc.org

Jim DeGilio (Executive Director)

Burgaw Area Chamber of Commerce

115 S. Dickerson Street, Burgaw, NC 28425

(910) 259-9817

info@burgawchamber.com

burgawchamber.com

Emily Baker (Executive Director)

Wrightsville Beach Chamber of Commerce

P.O. Box 466, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

(910) 256-8116

wrightsvillebeachchamber@gmail.com

wrightsvillechamber.org

To view more of photographer Daria Amato’s work, go to dariaphoto.com

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