The Queanbeyan Business Chamber is kick-starting the new year with a "lift up and leverage" event for business owners and influential Queanbeyan residents.
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President and local businessman Rory Markham said the chamber had a long history in the city, but had fallen on hard times over the past four years.
"It really is in need of some dynamic new members that can really create an atmosphere where businesses can come to this town and grow," Mr Markham said.
"We're really trying to reach out to local businesses of all categories that call Queanbeyan home."
Mr Markham said the chamber had key initiatives to begin the new year.
"We want to give a solid voice to businesses in Queanbeyan," Mr Markham said.
"For too long, Queanbeyan has had a fractured business community... The dominant feedback we get is Queanbeyan has lost its business advocacy voice, and we're hoping to find it again."
He said it was also important the city develop its own identity, to leverage business activity.
"The Queanbeyan community has really missed out on some strong development opportunities historically in its downtown area.
"What we hope to do is leverage certain planning arrangements to really bring about an economic hub here in Queanbeyan which stops people doing their retail shopping or [looking for] employment opportunities in Canberra."
Mr Markham said one thing the city needed was more passionate people.
"Apathy tends to breed some sort of resignation to the idea that Queanbeyan will just become a commuter town of Canberra.
"If all your economic activity disappears up a road at 9am and comes back at 5pm then we're not going to succeed as a town."
The Queanbeyan Business Chamber revitalisation is set to build the spirit of business in Queanbeyan, and influence economic growth with fresh and energetic ideas.
The chamber also hopes to bring networking and training opportunities to members throughout the year.