The Manteca Chamber of Commerce means business.

During the past year the business organization has:

• added 103 new members to bring membership up to 300

• raised $16,000 to clean the 2,400 flags purchased in 2002 as part of the Chamber’s Flags Across Manteca project plus added 100 additional flags.

• established a working downtown committee to coordinate efforts of property owners and merchants to present a unified approach in working with the city to enhance Manteca’s central district.

• launched the Business Buddy program where those business people with experience in dealing with the city can help new businesses to navigate the various municipal approval processes.

• added a Holiday Street Fair to complement the annual Twilight Holiday Downtown Parade the chamber has conducted for more than 30 years.

• agreed to take over the farmers market that they have revamped and will roll out this June and July at Library Park as Market & Music in Manteca.

The chamber has also just released a new Manteca street map.

That is in addition to a long list of member services ranging from weekly networking coffees, free workshops and providing referrals to listings on a website and in a community directory and more.

Executive Director Joann Beattie noted the only reasons the chamber exists is “to help business succeed” in Manteca as well as to work building a more economically vibrant community.

Strengthening the city’s economic core — downtown — is at the top of the chamber’s to do list.

Chamber President Nicholas Tejeda, who serves as the chief executive officer of Doctors Hospital of Manteca — the city’s largest private sector employer, noticed when his staff recruits new physicians and other personnel that they avoided taking prospective employees downtown. Vibrant downtown areas with a strong entertainment and culture element along with specialized shopping can serve as a drawing card to attract people to live, work and play in a community.

And while Tejeda said the chamber is getting applause for its effort, he wanted to make one thing clear: “Activity doesn’t mean achievement.”

That said Beattie and Tejeda both said the chamber is committed to seeing the new initiatives through.

Annual chamber, membership is $125 for non-profits, $145 for home businesses, and $250 for individuals or associations with 1 to 10 members and $350 for associations with 20 plus members.

A business with up to 5 employees is $250, 6 to 24 employees is $350, 26 to 99 employees is $425, 100 to 150 employees is $650, and 150 plus employees is $725.

The Market & Music is every Tuesday in June and July from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Library Park.

Non-profit booths are $20 weekly or $150 for the entire season. Food booths are $45 weekly or $360 for the entire season while craft and commercial are $35 weekly and $290 for the season. Farmers’ booths are $30 weekly and $250 for the season.