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New leadership at the Elgin Chamber of Commerce looks to nurture t he cit y ’s c ont i nued growth and maintain its small-town identity with a diverse background in public service.
Heather Bloom began her tenure as chamber president earlier this month, bringing with her decades of experience in nonprofit management, international development and historic preservation. Originally from Ohio, Bloom’s work has taken her throughout Central Texas and as far as Paraguay, but she said it’s Elgin’s strong sense of community that drew her here.
“I’ve had such a well welcoming to Elgin that it’s really helped me have a sense of belonging,” Bloom said. “I love that everybody knows one another, they’re there to help and support their neighbors. I feel that community is when people are showing up.”
Bloom said her first priority as chamber president is getting to know local business owners and under standing what motivates them. She aims to use her Spanish language skills to strengthen outreach to the city’s Hispanic business community.
“I think creating spaces and the opportunities to hear new voices — even if they don’t quite have their voice yet — helping them find it goes a long way with developing a relationship,” she said. “Connecting with everyone, no matter how involved or removed that they are.”
According to the chamber, Elgin’s growth trajectory is expanding alongside development throughout Bastrop County and the greater Central Texas corridor. With major employers like Samsung, Tesla and The Boring Company spreading nearby, Bloom said she sees both opportunity and responsibility in the change ahead.
“There’s an opportunity to strengthen what we already have here and create new things,” Bloom said. “It’s also an opportunity to build bridges, and those can be some serious opportunities to embark on.”
Bloom said she received a warm welcome in her first weeks on the job and has already gotten her hands on a pair of ribbon-cutting scissors, welcoming in new businesses like Castillo’s Collectibles.
“My focus is taking the momentum from my predecessor and continuing with that,” she said. “I’m also here to find my voice and grow with that momentum, and that is uniquely what I can bring to the businesses of Elgin.”
