3 min read November 2023 — In an interview with Invest:, David Bohm, Executive Director of Apex Chamber of Commerce, shared how the chamber is preparing to celebrate its 65th anniversary by revamping its services to offer more immersive experiences, his perspectives on the growth of residential and office in the region, and the necessity of embodying a positive outlook.
What have been some major highlights and milestones over the last year?
A significant milestone for us is our upcoming celebration of the chamber’s 65th anniversary. This notable achievement holds special significance.
During my time here at the Apex chamber, we’ve been focused on revitalizing our foundation by taking a fresh perspective on everything, including our branding. The central question is: How can we provide meaning and value, not only to our members but also to the broader community we serve? This goal has led us to reevaluate our role in driving positive change within the community.
Our approach emphasizes quality over quantity when it comes to events and activities. This strategic shift has sparked some pause among individuals accustomed to traditional approaches. We’re steering away from the well-trodden path to explore new avenues. This shift is intended to amplify our impact and adapt to changing dynamics.
How is the chamber helping to recruit businesses that are looking to relocate or expand?
Our chamber operates with a distinctive approach as we’ve intentionally chosen not to engage in what can be termed as business recruitment. Our town boasts its own dedicated Economic Development Department that takes on that responsibility, and we work harmoniously with them. If there’s ever a need for their assistance, we’re more than ready to support their efforts. However, our primary role centers around providing robust support for businesses that are already established or have recently opened their doors.
Our key areas of focus encompass advocacy, education, fostering connections among businesses and enhancing the community. I often refer to this as our framework of “connections,” where we facilitate meaningful interactions between businesses, creating a fertile ground for collaboration. Therefore, we serve as a dynamic platform and a hub where individuals and businesses come together to establish impactful relationships. These connections extend beyond mere transactions, working toward a common goal of enhancing our community. Our chamber thrives as a space for collaboration, building bridges that benefit everyone involved.
What are some of the key concerns that you’re hearing among the businesses that you serve?
Workforce development has become a recurring concern echoed by businesses as the persistent challenge revolves around an insufficient workforce. This refrain is heard time and time again, underscoring the depth of the issue. Additionally, navigating these challenges encompasses the array of burdens placed upon businesses, which are often regulatory in nature, stemming from various levels of government. These can range from environmental considerations to other intricate obligations that add complexity to operations.
Within the Apex community, we’ve encountered a complex interplay of factors due to the evolving economic landscape post-pandemic. Businesses are grappling with the dual concerns of space availability and escalating rent costs. Interestingly, while some businesses consider us a cost-effective and cheap locale in comparison to where they originated from, for local entities on-ground costs present an economic challenge.
Moreover, this dynamic has ushered in a palpable shift in the business landscape as the narrative now revolves around more upscale enterprises expressing interest in either opening new ventures or relocating to our area. This transformative trend is noticeable, particularly in comparison to the prior landscape dominated by establishments like antique stores or niche ventures. Thus, as we delve deeper into this transformation, we confront the issue of limited space availability. When a vacancy emerges, it often triggers a competitive atmosphere, akin to a bidding war among businesses vying for the opportunity. This competition for space is mirrored on the landlord’s end as well. Rental rates, which might have been relatively modest previously, are experiencing a discernible uptick. This rise reflects the current realities of the economic landscape.
Has there been a significant shift in demand for the chamber’s services and how is the chamber addressing these changes?
There is a clear inclination to gather in person. However, simply meeting in person over lunch and learning does not suffice anymore as immersive experiences, with a strong educational component, are in demand as attendees crave active participation.
For instance, consider our clay shooting event in September 2022, which is an unconventional choice that might seem unrelated to our mission. However, it provides a unique experience, engaging participants in an enjoyable manner and we see this approach resonating well. Thus, we’re exploring ways to craft events that combine learning and enjoyment since it’s about providing multi-layered engagement, a comprehensive perspective on our activities.
Furthermore, we’re innovating by merging education with visits to new member venues. It’s akin to a show-and-tell format, offering insights from speakers while immersing attendees in fresh surroundings. These events go beyond the ordinary, creating a holistic impact.
What have been some notable shifts or transformations within the economic landscape of your community?
Comparing the current situation to nine months ago, we’ve embraced a full-steam-ahead mentality. The dynamic energy in downtown Apex is striking as even on a regular, cloudy Thursday afternoon, people are gathering, enjoying the restaurants, and exploring the shops. This vibrancy is in stark contrast to some other cities where the bustling atmosphere isn’t quite as palpable.
For instance, we’re witnessing a promising development with a new building in downtown, now filling up with fresh businesses. This building offers Class A space, a significant shift from the predominantly Class C spaces in the area as five years ago you wouldn’t even imagine that there would be Class A spaces here. Thus, the presence of Class A space in downtown Apex is a significant differentiator.
Moreover, we’re experiencing substantial residential development, with projects like Viridia and Sweet Water on the horizon. Sweet Water, in particular, holds the potential to be a game changer, providing a new economic hub that extends beyond downtown or shopping areas. This expansion broadens our community’s horizons, offering new avenues for exploration and growth.
How do you work to instill and encourage a culture of positivity and resilience among businesses?
It’s important to acknowledge that not all businesses share the same outlook. There are instances of some clamping down and implementing layoffs, although this isn’t widespread. Our role as a chamber, working in close collaboration with partners, is to provide a proactive approach.
Moreover, it’s not just about having a positive outlook but actively living that positivity. This is a core focus for the next two years. This approach stems from my relatively new role, where I’m keen on emphasizing the significance of our mindset. If we have a doom and gloom perspective then it becomes a self-fulling prophecy, but if we embrace a positive outlook, it tends to shape our outcomes in that direction.
What is your outlook for the next few years and your top priorities in that time frame?
Looking ahead, we’re witnessing a remarkable influx of businesses, thus our focus is not only on offering meaningful experiences but also on enhancing the value we provide. Our membership growth is a key facet, as we aim to serve our expanding community effectively. Presently, Apex comprises 75,000 residents, and astonishingly, it’s projected to double to around 150,000 by 2030—within only six years. This acceleration, compared to the 20-year doubling rate, is both impressive and challenging.
Furthermore, these developments reflect a live-work-play ethos and we’re fortunate to witness the fruition of ongoing projects and anticipate the immense impact they’ll have. Some developments, like Viridia, are adding substantial residential capacity—about 40,000 people—bringing new dynamics to our area, and we also have other projects in the pipeline that will take about 10 years to come to fruition. After all, this surge in population has ripple effects, including the need for growing healthcare services, expanded industries and even the establishment of a community college campus.
Non-profit organizations, such as The YMCA, are also capitalizing on this growth, looking to expand their reach. As Apex experiences this wave of expansion, there’s a clear responsibility on our part to ensure that we’re not just riding the current wave but preparing for the larger ones beyond.
Of course, alongside these opportunities, concerns linger, such as the unpredictability of the economy. While we’ve sidestepped a recent recession, we’re cautious about potential future downturns. Our approach is to be proactive and optimistic, focusing on what we can control while remaining prepared for any fluctuations.
Lastly, Apex has a tagline: “The Peak of Good Living.” It’s a local play on our elevated location. But here’s something new: we’re taking the town from the “Peak of Good Living” to the “Peak of Great Living.” We’re elevating our vision. This shift embodies the energy and enthusiasm needed, not just for our chamber, but for any organization. It’s about going beyond good to achieve greatness.
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