A Message to our Members: Planning Ahead in a Shifting Business Landscape

A Message to Our Members: Planning Ahead in a Shifting Business Landscape

At the Farmington Regional Chamber, we understand that many of our local business members operate on narrow margins. It’s one of the reasons why our small business community is so resilient — always striving to serve their customers with integrity while keeping prices as steady as possible despite increasing operational challenges.

But in today’s ever-changing economy — from supply chain disruptions and potential tariffs to rising costs — planning ahead is more important than ever.

As part of our mission to advance business and strengthen community, we are committed to providing practical tools and professional resources to help our members thrive. Below are several strategies to help you prepare and build stability for your business:

📦 Inventory and Planning

• Catalog your inventory
  Keep an updated log of items — whether it’s food, retail products, or raw materials. Knowing what you have on hand helps prevent overordering and ensures operational readiness. Note items that are exported.
• Stock up if possible
  Prices often stay level until new inventory is required. If you have the ability, purchase ahead of price increases to reduce future costs and gain stability.

🔍 Vendor Strategy

• Shop around
  Loyalty is great, but periodically reviewing supplier options can uncover better deals or locally made alternatives. U.S.-sourced goods may help avoid tariffs and improve reliability.

📊 Forecasting & Communication

• Forecast demand and pricing
  Anticipate what you’ll need and how much it might cost. Use that to compare with current pricing and adjust accordingly, avoiding underpricing in a rising-cost environment.
• Communicate with your customers
  In today’s transparent social climate, being upfront about price adjustments or product changes builds trust. Many customers will understand — and even appreciate — your openness.

💬 Connection & Support

• Reach out when needed
  If your business faces challenges, the Chamber is here to help. We connect members to local and regional resources, support systems, and potential partners when navigating uncertainty.

💙 Strengthening Community Together

At the heart of our work is a simple truth: supporting local business means supporting our entire community.

This is a powerful moment to remind one another to shop local, hire local, and advocate local. Businesses like yours are the heartbeat of St. Francois County, offering services, opportunities, and jobs that make this region thrive.

If a business must raise prices to stay sustainable, we ask our community to respond with empathy. These decisions are never made lightly — but they are often necessary.

Together, we can face challenges, celebrate successes, and continue building a stronger, more connected Farmington.