“I want to meet new people with new ideas so we can work together to promote business in Pell City,” said Erica Grieve, the chamber’s new executive director.”

Less than three weeks into her new job as Executive Director of the Pell City Chamber of Commerce, Erica Grieve says she hopes to “get the community excited about doing things with and for the chamber.”

She’s taken the helm of the local business organization in time to help finish planning for Pell City’s annual Block Party set for June 1.  

“It’s my first one, and I’m super-excited about it,” she said this week.  “It’s a special highlight for this area because it brings in thousands and thousands of people from all over.  That’s good for our businesses, and it promotes Pell City.”

Grieve said she hopes to build on already-existing efforts to promote the city and its businesses.

“The previous director did a lot to put ideas and activities in place, and we’re still using them.  Of course, we always want to improve things, and that’s what we’re looking at now.  How much better can we make the chamber and the community?”

Grieve succeeds Lynn Batemon as the chamber’s executive director.  A native of Jacksonville, she earned a degree in human science from JSU and has worked as an educator, event planner, employment specialist, and substance abuse counselor, most recently with the St. Clair Department of Human Resources.

“I really want to be a part of helping someone’s quality of life improve. That’s why I went into social services,” she said.  “Working at the chamber takes that to a bigger level.  Instead of just one person, it’s a community.  I want to help make positive changes and see people get more involved in helping and working with us.”

Much of her time so far has been spent meeting local business owners, including those not currently members of the chamber.

“A city is only as good as its people, and a chamber is only as good as its members,” she said.  “I want to meet new people with new ideas so we can work together to promote business in Pell City.”

She sees the city’s growth potential is a challenging opportunity.

“The economy has gotten off track, but we have a Publix now, and once you get a Publix, you’re kind of on the map.  We have the potential to really grow here, and a lot of people who live here don’t know what’s in our industrial park.  We have some great businesses that are known worldwide right here in Pell City.  I want to promote that and put our heads together to figure out what we can do to be a part of something bigger than just individual businesses.”

On a lighter note, Grieve also explained why she enjoys