Chamber Welcomes New Manager
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Luanne Brooks-Craven will begin her new role as manager of the Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce on June 1.
WATER VALLEY – In a town like Water Valley, the Chamber office is more than a place where business gets done. People stop by with questions, ideas, flyers, news and sometimes just to ask directions.
Now, as Luanne Brooks-Craven steps into her new role as manager of the Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, she hopes the Chamber office will continue to be that kind of place.
“When people stop by the Chamber office, I hope they feel welcomed, valued, and heard,” Brooks-Craven said. “I want the Chamber to be a place where people feel comfortable dropping in with questions, ideas, or concerns, and leave feeling encouraged and connected.”
She is not new to Water Valley. Brooks-Craven moved here in 1989 and said she “immediately fell in love with the community and the people here.”
Brooks-Craven spent 32 years with the USDA Farm Service Agency, where she worked closely with farmers and built strong relationships “based on trust and service.” The job required patience, organization, dependability and the ability to listen carefully — qualities that also fit Chamber work.
“I have always enjoyed working with people and helping them succeed,” she said. “The Chamber Manager position feels like a natural next step because it combines community involvement, relationship building, and supporting local businesses.”
Local businesses are where people buy gifts, grab lunch, meet friends for coffee, get repairs done and handle everyday life around town. They also sponsor ball teams, support school activities, donate to fundraisers and show up when the town needs them.
Brooks-Craven said she understands the important role those businesses play in the community.
“Small-town businesses are the heart of the community,” she said. “They create jobs, support local events, build relationships, and give a town its personality and character. They aren’t just businesses. They’re neighbors supporting neighbors.”
As she begins her work with the Chamber, Brooks-Craven said she is excited to learn more about the people behind those businesses.
“I’m excited to learn the stories behind the businesses and the people who make them successful,” she said. “Every business has its own journey and purpose, and I look forward to discovering what motivates them, what challenges they face, and how the Chamber can support and promote them.”
She is also looking forward to learning more about the events, traditions and familiar places that help make Water Valley unique.
“Water Valley has a unique charm and strong community spirit,” she said, “and I want to experience and understand what makes it special to the people who call Water Valley home.”
She brings decades of public service experience and a people-first approach to the role.
“I believe one of my greatest strengths is connecting with people and making them feel comfortable,” she said.
In a small town, much of the work still happens through conversations, phone calls and quick visits between neighbors, business owners and visitors.
She also recently celebrated a new chapter in her personal life. On May 23, she married her longtime friend Cliff Craven. She said it was a reminder that life still brings “unexpected blessings and exciting beginnings.”
Brooks-Craven officially begins her new role June 1 and said her goal is to support local businesses and help keep the Chamber connected to the community it serves.
