As the eyes, ears and voice of local business, Karen Granger, newly hired executive director of the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce, looks to build a role as community advocate that she’s been honing for 30 years.

“I’m here to serve the needs of our business community members,” said Granger, who took the job one month ago.

Right now, the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce is 300 members strong. Of them, 65 percent are small businesses, with between one and five employees.

“But we are growing,” Granger said. And the Valley is changing.

“I’m an agent of change,” she said. “I believe in healthy, positive change that involves a collaborative process of putting heads together and doing good things.”

In return for dues, the chamber offers its members advertising, networking events, mentoring, education and leadership opportunities in the Valley.

“It’s you as a business person meeting other business people, and doing things together that positively influence your life and others around you,” Granger said. “As economic viability occurs so does the vitality of the community, so does the opportunities for the residents and youth who are here, who will be the next business owners.”

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