New Business? We’re here to help.

Are you opening a business or purchasing an established one? Have you renovated, added on, or opening another location? Let’s make it official with a ribbon cutting!

Ribbon Cuttings
with the Chamber of Commerce

A ribbon cutting is a great way to get foot traffic, attention, and early momentum for your business.

What we will do for your ribbon cutting…

  • Event Planning: We help you plan and schedule your ribbon cutting at a time that works best for you.

  • Invitations: We invite chamber ambassadors, city officials, and local media to help celebrate.

  • Official Ceremony: We bring the big scissors, ribbon, and coordinate everyone for the perfect photo opportunity to capture the moment!

For Chamber members, you also get the following:

  • Community Leaders: We invite our board of directors and community leaders to help celebrate.

  • Chamber Members: We email all chamber members and post to social media for all to attend.

  • Social Media Feature: Your ribbon cutting will be featured with photos, tags, and a brief story about your business.

  • Local Media Feature: We will write a press release for local newspaper and radio to share their respective websites.

  • Member Update: Your press release will be added to our website and emailed to all members.

  • Directory: Your business will be listed on the chamber member directory to be found all year.

Ribbon Cuttings are available for:

  • New Businesses

  • Grand Openings

  • Expansions / Additions / New Locations

  • Remodels

  • New Ownerships

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Ribbon Cuttings

Q: What is the purpose of a Ribbon Cutting?
A: It is a simple ceremony and photo opportunity to recognize your investment and contribution to our community. It signifies that you are “open for business.” The photo is easily sharable with local media and social media.

Q: When is the best time to schedule a Ribbon Cutting?
A: The first goal is to make it easy on your business, so it is best to schedule when your owners, employees, friends, and family will be able to attend. The second goal is to invite the business community, and we have found that during the week around lunchtime allows business professionals to come on their lunchbreak to celebrate your business!

Q: Does the Ribbon Cutting have to take place on the first day of business?
A: No. A ribbon cutting may be scheduled on the first day as a “Grand Opening” or anytime during your first year of business to celebrate your accomplishments. This depends on your workflow and phases for opening with some businesses opting to wait until they are ready to announce a full opening.

Q: How long does the Ribbon Cutting ceremony take?
A: The actual ceremony takes less than 30 minutes. Short speeches and introductions from the business owner, chamber of commerce, and municipality are expected. Then, it is an opportunity to take photos cutting the ribbon.

Q: What is the difference between a Ribbon Cutting and a Groundbreaking ceremony?
A: Groundbreaking ceremonies are reserved for new construction and additions and should take place any time before construction starts. A Ribbon Cutting takes place after the construction is complete. Both ceremonies can happen for the same business!

Q: Is the business required to provide food, drinks, or refreshments with a Ribbon Cutting?
A: No, it is not required. However, if the Ribbon Cutting takes place with a Grand Opening, Open House, or other event, then it would be appropriate to have refreshments, snacks, or even sandwiches.

Q: Can we do the Ribbon Cutting on our own without the Chamber of Commerce?
A: Yes, but it is a free service we provide for all businesses in a 10-mile radius of Centralia. We hope you will allow us to celebrate your business, to invite the local media and community leaders, and bring our official scissors and ribbon!

Schedule a Ribbon Cutting

Contact the Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce with the link below or call (618) 532-6789, if you would like to schedule a ribbon cutting or have any questions. Please give us at least two weeks’ notice.

This is a free service for businesses in our greater area of Centralia, Central City, Hoffman, Hoyleton, Irvington, Junction City, Odin, Richview, Sandoval, Shattuc, Walnut Hill, Wamac, and surrounding townships.