FEBRUARY 2017
GREATER CHAMBERSBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2016
ANNUAL REPORT
WWW.CHAMBERSBURG.ORG
100 LINCOLN WAY EAST, CHAMBERSBURG, PA 17201
Advocating for businesses a top priority
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Some of the most important initiatives the Chamber addresses are big picture issues which can take years to produce results. Planning, advocacy and government affairs are critical to this process. At the beginning of each year, the Chamber publishes its Public Policy Positions, which identifies issues in which the Chamber will act as a voice State legislators answer questions from the of business for our members. For instance, we audience during the Legislative Breakfast continue to support and advocate for the widening of Interstate 81, a major north-south corridor that supports our regional economy.
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The Chamber regularly publishes government affairs articles from the PA Chamber of Commerce in the monthly print newsletter, The Outlook. This provides our members with regular legislative updates that may have an impact on their business. In conjunction with the other chambers of commerce in Franklin County, we held the firstever Legislative Breakfast with our elected state representatives in October 2016. Over 170 people attended the inaugural event, which provided a constructive forum for our members to learn about legislative issues and voice their concerns to our state delegation. In addition, the 11/30 Network young professionals held a non-partisan Know Your Ballot open house before the November election for the community-at-large to learn about candidates and their respective platforms, voting records and other issues on the ballot. The Chamber continues to identify ways to keep our members informed about legislative issues and to advocate on their behalf.
Membership remains strong, events grow As the largest business advocacy organization in Franklin County, everything we do at the Chamber is with our members in mind. With the support of the Ambassador Committee, the Chamber achieved our goal of a 90.6 percent retention rate of our existing membership. We also attracted 105 new members in 2016, finishing out the year with a total membership of 930 businesses. We continue inching closer to our 1,000 member long-term goal. We continue to build on the benefits and programs offered to ensure our members are being served and getting the most from their membership. In 2016, the Chamber and its affiliate organizations held more than 220 events, including 14 after-hour mixers, 39 ribbon cuttings and 30 young professionals Ribbon cutting at the new Royer’s Flowers events. We partnered with Penn State Mont & Gifts location in Chambersburg Alto on the Business & Industry Expo, and held successful membership events like the Golf Tournament and Sip & Savor: Black & White Ball. We continue to grow and improve the 11/30 Network young professionals group, which now has just over 100 members, as well as the Community Education Coalition. These are excellent ways for members to network and make business contacts.
2016 Chamber board and staff Communications add greater value Shop Small Sweepstakes Businesses, leaders honored in 2016 Chamber supports job creation 11/30 Network completes first year Customer service vision 2016 Civil War Seminars Heritage Center remodel Affiliates provide direct impact 2016 CADC and CVRDC board CADC planning for Chambersburg’s future United Business Park is progressing 2016 DCI board A year of change, continued growth Branding downtown 2016 Foundation board Community Education Coalition grows LFC graduates 30th class Franklin County Works job board Leadercast brought to Franklin County 2016 event highlights
A MEMORABLE 2016... In April, the Chamber honored seven members for their accomplishments. Read more on page 3. In June, CADC announced its strategic plan and began rolling out new initiatives. Read more on page 5. In July, DCI coordinated the Community Mural Project with Isaiah Zagar Read more on page 6. In October, the Chamber co-hosted the first Franklin County Legislative Breakfast. Read more on page 1. In November, the Chamber promoted small businesses in the Shop Small Sweepstakes. Read more on page 2. Throughout 2016, the Heritage Center underwent a significant remodel. Read more on page 4. And much more! View pictures on page 8.
2016 ANNUAL REPORT
CHAMBER 2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Troy Garman, RE/MAX Realty Agency Chair Eric Foreman, BB&T - Immediate Past Chair Noel Purdy - Chamber President Jim Zimmerman, New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc. - Treasurer Sherri H. Stahl, Summit Health - Secretary Lance Kegerreis, Dennis E. Black Engineering, Inc. - CADC Vice President Michelle Paulnock, ACNB Bank Foundation President Blake Truman, VerStandig Broadcasting Brian Speer, Wilson College Rod Hocker, Johnnie’s Restaurant & Hotel Service Carlos Perez, Chambersburg Wireless Melanie Furlong, SpiriTrust Lutheran Home Care & Hospice Alice Hawbaker, LCSi Lehman Construction Services, Inc. Luke Martin, Smith Elliott Kearns & Co., LLC Kim Crider, Kim Crider/Take Shape for Life Mark Story, Franklin County Library System Chris Patterson, Manitowoc Cranes Jeff Truhan, The Shook Home Mark Durniak, Fuddruckers Brad Evans, Bartlett Tree Expert Company Angela Lynch, Chambersburg Area School District Foundation Michael J. Connor, Walker, Connor & Spang, LLC
2016 CHAMBER STAFF Noel Purdy - President David G. Sciamanna - Vice President Amy Weibley - Communications Director Doug Harmon - Membership Director Maryliz Toohig - Financial Director Robin Harmon - Executive Director, Chamber Foundation Angie Schaeffer - Executive Assistant/ Office Manager Lark Plessinger - Marketing Assistant Scott Fish - Events Coordinator Stacy Guyer - Accounting Assistant Sue Black - Heritage Center Coordinator/ Customer Service Specialist
Communications add greater value to members The Chamber continues to improve our communications platform to add greater value to our members and increase community involvement. Our weekly e-communications, including the Chamber NOW e-newsletter, e-blasts and social media, help members and residents find information from the Chamber easier and faster. Growth on social media was substantial in 2016 with Facebook followers increasing to more than 3,260 and instagram exploding to nearly 1,500 followers. The Chamber’s monthly newsletter, The Outlook, is a valuable resource for members, sharing information about Chamber events, business news and community happenings. Nearly 700 people receive a hard copy and more than 2,400 are sent the digital version. The Chambersburg Business Directory & Community Profile is another popular publication with a distribution of 4,000 annually. The directory exclusively features Chamber members in the business listings. New in 2016, the Chamber published a Franklin County and Chambersburg road map. The map will be updated annually with opportunities for members to advertise. The Chamber’s website, www.chambersburg.org, saw a steady increase in users and page visits after the new mobile responsive design was launched in early 2015. Total website sessions in 2016 increased from the previous year by nearly 11,000 and mobile users increase by more than 8,000. The Chamber Foundation launched a mobile responsive design for www.franklincountyworks.com, in 2016, a local job board which members of any Franklin County chamber can post to for free if they have 25 or fewer employees. In addition, the Chamber maintains the Downtown Chambersburg, 11/30 Network and Civil War Seminars websites, as well as the Chamber website.
Shop Small Sweepstakes promotes buying local The best way to improve the community is to support small businesses, which the Chamber and its affiliates are dedicated to doing in a number of ways. The Chamber Card program continues to be a huge hit throughout the area with nearly 40,000 keycards on the street. These keycards offer users discounts at participating Chamber member businesses. To help promote the Chamber Card and buying local in general, in 2016 the Chamber launched a new Shop Small Sweepstakes spanning one month. By completing five experiences on a Shop Small Sweepstakes card, shoppers had the chance to win up to $300 simply by supporting our community’s small businesses over the holiday shopping season. CHAMBER MISSION, VISION AND VALUES Mission: We exist to help our members prosper and to enhance the quality of life in the Chambersburg area. Vision: The Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce will be the premier business organization in our region to promote the business community, economic development and education in innovative ways - contributing to the community’s quality of life and having a positive impact on the lives of those we serve. Values: The Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce serves as the welcoming front door of the community. The Chamber is committed to being a positive, helpful and visionary community leader and resource - treating everyone with respect, providing excellent service and acting with fairness and integrity. Chamber staff, volunteers and partners are proactive advocates for our members and are passionate about communicating and achieving these goals.
2 GREATER CHAMBERSBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
It’s All About Community! CHAMBER
Businesses, leaders honored in 2016 Each year the Chamber awards businesses, community members and leaders with a variety of awards and 2016 was no exception. At the Annual Awards Breakfast in the spring, the Chamber honored seven members for their community engagement and accomplishments. One of the recognitions included honoring Amy Hicks as the 2016 international ATHENA Leadership Award recipient, which honors professional, community and personal leadership and those who actively assist women in reaching their full leadership potential. As executive director of the United Way of Franklin County, Hicks touches the lives of many people through a variety of local organizations and businesses. She has been with United Way almost 10 years, and in that time she has served on several boards and generously gives of her time to programs in the community. ATHENA Leadership Award
ENVIRONMENTAL Sustainability Award
INNOVATOR of the Year
NONPROFIT of the Year
VOLUNTEER of the Year
Amy Hicks
Menno Haven
American Micro Industries
Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County
Anita Crawford
The Chamber also named Tanya “Tanny” Nitterhouse, owner/ president of SunnyHill Properties Inc., as the 2016 Business Person of the Year at its Annual Business Breakfast in December. Wilson College’s Nitterhouse was honored with Zullinger-DavisJohn Stewart Trinh P.C. Tanya Nitterhouse the award in recognition of her Memorial Library business growth, charitable contributions to the community and professional leadership in the real estate community. She actively assists small business growth through her company, sets high standards for the local real estate industry and is actively involved with numerous organizations in the community. PROPERTY Improvement Award
PROPERTY Improvement Award
BUSINESS PERSON of the Year
The Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation, an affiliate of the Chamber, recognized leaders in the community as well. Brenda Hefner was named Leadership Franklin County Alumni of the Year and Karen Johnston was named its Volunteer of the Year.
Chamber supports job creation, quality of life A strong economy is a key part of improving the quality of life. With all of the Chamber priorities, there is nothing that is a higher priority than efforts to improve our employment prospects throughout the county. This effort is accomplished by supporting existing businesses and working closely with other organizations. Having a diversified and growing employer base is critical to improving our community’s quality of life, which is why the Chamber is uniquely structured encompassing several affiliate organizations that work closely and collaboratively to achieve this goal. From developing industrial parks and constructing buildings to supporting Small Business Saturday and façade improvement programs, we are focusing on the needs of both our small and large members. The Chamber continues to support Team Letterkenny and also works closely with the Franklin County Area Development Corporation, the Franklin County Visitors Bureau and PA Careerlink. As you can see, we are working each and every day to grow our economy and support job development. Creating community wealth can only be accomplished by the private and public sectors working together.
11/30 Network completes first year, hosts 30 events
Members deliver care packages to firefighters during the 11/30 Network’s First Responders Appreciation Day
An initiative of the Chamber, the 11/30 Network was formed in 2015 by a diverse group of young professionals concerned with the lack of opportunities for young adults in Franklin County. In June 2016, the 11/30 Network ended its first membership year with a total of 151 members, well exceeding the committee’s goal of 100. July marked the beginning of the second membership year, which in the first half recruited 100 members. The committee is hopeful to end the second year at more than 150 members again. The 11/30 Network hosted more than 30 events in 2016 to encourage personal and professional growth for the under 40 crowd who live and/or work in Franklin County. Events ranged from the First Responders Appreciation Day and a Business Fashion Show to Financial Wellness seminars and a Wine Tour. Included in these events were the monthly 3rd Thursday Happy Hour, where anyone is welcome to come check out the group and learn more about their efforts. The mission of the 11/30 Network is to connect young professionals in Franklin County through social, civic and professional development opportunities. The group is managed under the leadership of an 11-person Steering Committee comprised of young professionals who live and work throughout the county. For more information, visit www.1130network.com.
Customer service vision The Chamber staff developed a customer service vision statement in 2016 to help communicate with members and residents our dedication to serving the community. Listed in our monthly newsletters and in other communications, the statement reads, “We promise to be your champion in the community, serving your needs to always be part of the solution.”
GREATER CHAMBERSBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 3
2016 ANNUAL REPORT
CHAMBER
Civil War Seminars
Heritage Center remodel features new inventory
Chambersburg Civil War Seminars & Tours, a division of the Chamber and held in partnership with Ted Alexander, offered three seminars in 2016 that brought more tourists and tourism dollars to the area. Nearly 250 history enthusiasts from 27 states and Canada attended the seminars to listen to well-known historians discuss a variety of military events.
In 2016, the Chamber completed a remodel of the Chambersburg Heritage Center & Gift Shop on Memorial Square, which operates under the Chamber. In response to demand from residents and tourists, new inventory was brought in to feature more locally made items, such as bath and candle products, as well as new Chambersburg souvenirs and 11/30 merchandise. The 11/30 merchandise represents the crossroads of Routes 11 and 30 in the heart of downtown Chambersburg, the only place these two historic highways intersect. After its remodel, the Chambersburg Heritage Center An online store was also launched through the & Gift Shop participated in Small Business Saturday Heritage Center & Gift Shop’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ChbHeritageCenter, where popular items are available to purchase and either ship or pick up in store. Additionally, anyone can now take a digital tour of the Heritage Center with the new 360 video created by VR360 Imaging, available online at www.chambersburg.org/HeritageCenter.
Tour of Gettysburg Battlefied during the July seminar
The 2016 seminars included: • “Ed Bearss Symposium: Military Leadership & Combat” - Attended by 64 people from 13 states and Canada. • “Stonewall Jackson in the Valley” Attended by 66 people from 17 states. • “Gettysburg Day 3 & Beyond” - Attended by 101 people from 20 states and Canada. In addition to hosting the seminars, the program is dedicated to protecting Civil War history by contributing to the preservation of historic sites. In 2016, Civil War Seminars & Tours raised $4,553 for this cause, which was donated to Friends of Monterey Pass Battlefield, Save Historic Antietam Foundation, the National Civil War Museum, Civil War Trust, Battle of Falling Waters 1863 Foundation, Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, the MacArthur Memorial, the Gettysburg Foundation and other organizations. CHAMBER WEBSITES For more information about the Chamber or its affiliates, visit the following websites: Chamber - www.chambersburg.org 11/30 Network - www.1130network.com Chambersburg Civil War Seminars & Tours www.civilwarseminars.org Downtown Chambersburg Inc. www.downtowncburg.com Franklin County Works www.franklincountyworks.com
As a result of the remodel, the Heritage Center has seen a steady uptick in visitors and sales. December 2016 was the best performing month for the gift shop thanks to the holiday shopping season with the highest monthly sales compared to recent years. This can be attributed to the shift of inventory from history-centric to a balanced mix of Chambersburg gifts, locally-made products and items featuring local history. The Chambersburg Heritage Center & Gift Shop was visited by an estimated 2,000 people in 2016, including every fifth-grader in Chambersburg Area School District, seeing visitors from 38 states and 10 countries. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and seasonally on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Affiliates provide direct impact on community The Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce could not accomplish the work it does without its affiliates. The Chamber and each affiliate organization work together to address the needs of the community and improve the quality of life in the Chambersburg area. Our affiliates include two industrial development corporations, a downtown development corporation and a foundation. Many people don’t realize the role the Chamber plays in economic development through its affiliates. Downtown Chambersburg Inc. spearheads development in our downtown, helping to retain existing businesses and attracting new ones. The organization recently completed a Master Plan Update for downtown. The other two economic development affiliates are Chambersburg Area Development Corp. and Cumberland Valley Regional Development Corp. Both focus on job creation and retention through industrial development. The Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation is an important affiliate that focuses on workforce development, education and citizenship. Its three county-wide leadership programs help to develop business and community leaders. Find out more details about Chamber affiliates and the great things they’ve done in 2016 on the following pages.
4 GREATER CHAMBERSBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
It’s All About Community! ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CADC planning for Chambersburg’s future The Chambersburg Area Development Corporation (CADC) has been part of the Chamber since 1960, and is its longest standing and most influential affiliate. CADC has been an important contributor to the economic health of Chambersburg and Franklin County through the development of several business parks. Today, businesses in these parks employ thousands of individuals, generating millions of dollars of tax revenues that support our local communities and schools. In June 2016, CADC presented a forward-looking vision focused on reuse and revitalization as well as workforce development. Large scale industrial park development, while being critical to CADC over the past 55+ years, will not be CADC’s future focus. With several settlements recently closed at the United Business Park off I-81 Exit 24, CADC has reduced debt, established reserve funds and established an investment fund. This has set the stage to begin implementing other elements in the strategic plan.
Expanded Efforts to Build Community Wealth
As a local not-for-profit economic development corporation, CADC’s income is reinvested in our community. CADC partners with other organizations to leverage private investment that results in improving our community. In 2016, CADC partnered with the Community Development Corporation (CDC) to assist with the start-up of GearHouse Brewing Co., a brew pub that recently opened on Grant Street. They also joined to support the purchase by b.developed of the dilapidated property adjacent to the Falling Spring, which is the location where Benjamin Chambers settled. Build to suit opportunities will remain an important aspect of CADC’s economic development efforts to retain and attract industry to our area. In late 2016, CADC began constructing a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at the United Business Park to keep TST Impreso in Franklin County.
Construction for United Business Park off I-81 Exit
CADC made several contributions in support of workforce development in 2016, as well, including donations to the Coyle Free Library building project, sponsorship of one class for the United Way’s Stepping Forward Works program and Network Ministries’ rehabilitation at 419 Hollywell Ave. CADC also made plans to partner with Habitat for Humanity on an innovative Home Again initiative. This project will target homes in the central core that can be rehabilitated as single family units using Habitat’s successful model. Rendering of the Coyle Free Library To support these new and continuing initiatives, CADC expanded its Lifetime Members by 11 businesses in 2016. Membership with CADC encourages more involvement from local businesses in supporting the economic and workforce development needs of the county.
United Business Park is progressing The Cumberland Valley Regional Development Corporation (CVRDC), a wholly owned subsidary of CADC, achieved several settlements in 2016 at the United Business Park on I-81 off Exit 24. The project began in 2002 and the economic recession provided unique challenges for the development and sale of the business park. With the recovery well underway, significant progress was made last year. Sheetz opened a new location in August 2016 and construction of a warehouse for TST Impreso began in the fall. Additionally, Matrix Development Group closed on a 200 acre agreement.
CADC 2016 BOARD Edwin Martin, David H. Martin Excavating President Lance Kegerreis, Dennis E. Black Engineering - Vice President Jack Sharpe, Sharpe & Sharpe Secretary / Solicitor Charles Frame, Boyer & Ritter - Treasurer / Assistant Secretary Jim Hill, R.A. Hill, Inc. - Immediate Past President Jacob H. Kaufman, Smith Elliot Kearns & Co. - Assistant Treasurer Troy Garman, RE/MAX Realty Agency Chamber Chair Tim Henry, F&M Trust Co. Mike Hurt, T.B. Wood’s Inc. Kelly Adams, Chambersburg Waste Paper Michael Kalathas, The Orchards Jimmy Wade, McCleary Oil Company Chuck Sioberg, Martin & Martin, Inc. Eric Foreman, BB&T Lane Thrush, RE/MAX Dwayne Johnson, St. Thomas Development, Inc. John Massimilla, Summit Health Michael Jackson, eLynxx Corporation William Everly, Jr., LB Water Tanya Nitterhouse, SunnyHill Properties Austin Kegerreis, Kegerreis Outdoor Advertising Ray Cullen, M&T Bank
CVRDC 2016 BOARD Mickey Nye, H&H Chev / Olds / Pontiac / Cadillac - President Edwin Martin, David H. Martin Excavating Vice President Charles Frame, Boyer & Ritter - Treasurer / Assistant Secretary Jacob H. Kaufman, Smith Elliot Kearns & Co. - Secretary / Assistant Treasurer Charles G. Schlichter, Jr., Schlichter Financial Services Jeff Reeder, ACE Distributing Tim Henry, F&M Trust Co. Harold L. Brake, Brake Concrete, Inc. John Helman, Brechbill & Helman Construction Co., Inc. Jim Hill, R.A. Hill, Inc. Chuck Sioberg, Martin & Martin, Inc.
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2016 ANNUAL REPORT
DOWNTOWN CHAMBERSBURG INC. 2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mike Kugler, BB&T - Chair Angela Quigley, Smith Elliott Kearns & Co. - Vice-Chair Ann Wagner, Ludwig Jewelers, Inc. Immediate Past Chair Noel Purdy - DCI President Michael Metz, F&M Trust - Treasurer Sam Thrush, Franklin County Government - Secretary Mike Carty, Downtown Business Council Joseph Cooper, Old Liberty Land & Development, Co. Louisa Cowles, Borough of Chambersburg Alice Elia, Borough of Chambersburg Jack Jones, Elm Street Manager Jenna Kaczmarek, Patriot Federal Credit Union Nancy Mazariegos, Fusion Deb Miller, Skyline Properties Guy Shaul, Borough of Chambersburg Mitch Walker, ULTA Beauty
Branding downtown Downtown Chambersburg Inc.’s (DCI) ongoing efforts include improving downtown’s brand. New downtown street pole banners were installed in the fall, promoting amenities of The new downtown downtown. A Window street pole banners Walk on Main project was also initiated to promote vacant storefronts downtown using art and photo displays. Since the project began in July 2016, half of the properties have been filled with new businesses. Social media continues to be a strong communication tool with Facebook likes surpassing 7,000, a growth of more than 2,000 in one year. Instagram’s followers doubled to more than 1,660. DCI also launched a Downtown Chambersburg Snapchat profile to continue connecting with younger generations. Downtown’s mobile responsive, colorful website, www.downtowncburg.com, has been live for a year now and seen a significant increase in users. It provides valuable information including parking, events, residential properties and more.
A year of change, continued growth downtown 2016 was filled with positive changes for downtown as strategies outlined in the Downtown Master Plan were set in motion. Downtown revitalization efforts take years to develop and implement, but in 2016 we began seeing some of the first fruits of our labor.
New Businesses on Main Street
Downtown became home to several new businesses: Best Laid Seams, The Garage Studios, J. Bryant Photography & Designs, Valeria’s Beauty Store, Veroni Café, El Regalo Ideal and the brand new GearHouse J. Bryant Photography opens on Main Street Brewing Co. Other businesses moved between downtown locations to expand their business, such as Council for the Arts, Fusión and Jenz Family Connection. In spring 2015, downtown had a vacancy rate of 6 percent. After just over a year the vacancy rate was cut in half to around 3 percent.
$30+ Million in Planned Investment
Investment comes in many forms: planning, programming, new businesses, capital ventures and more. It’s often difficult to see this investment if it’s not right in front of you. To help show some of these plans is the Downtown Investment Map, bit.ly/2ih1CTn, which tracks small and large scale investment that has occurred since 2008 and/or is being planned. Over $30 million dollars of investment, shown on the map, is planned over the next few years.
A Growing Arts Community
Fostering and promoting a vibrant arts community is a proven economic development strategy, and many recent art additions to downtown have spurred the art scene. The success of The Foundry artist cooperative is one example of this, as well as the relocation of The Garage Studios to a downtown storefront Holly Strayer poses in front of the completed right next to The Foundry. This has created a local mosaic mural on the Main Street Deli building art retail destination that is growing. Public art is expanding downtown, as well. DCI partnered with local art teacher Holly Strayer on the Chambersburg Community Mural Project, which raised over $26,000 to install two largescale mosaic murals in summer 2016. A Main Street Piano Project was also piloted in the fall with plans to bring it back in summer 2017. The Downtown Mural Project continued for its fourth year with more than 60 murals on display throughout downtown.
Bringing People Downtown
Hosting events and festivals are key to bringing masses of people downtown. The most successful of these is IceFest, which continues to put our downtown on the map as a regional destination for winter fun. Small Business Saturday is another successful event for downtown merchants when hundreds of shoppers come to support small businesses for the holiday shopping season. Other small scale events like Second Saturdays provide free, family-friendly things to do. Another element of attracting people downtown is with marketing and promotions, which are detailed in the left sidebar.
Placemaking with Planning and Zoning
Planning and zoning has a role in economic development and “placemaking.” Since the completion of the Downtown Master Plan, DCI raised over $30,000 for a Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Plan, which is currently underway. DCI also initiated an important conversation about downtown zoning and how it can help facilitate economic development, which the Planning and Zoning Commission will revisit during its comprehensive plan update in 2017. Another outcome of the Master Plan is working with stakeholders to investigate community gardens. 2016 was a great year for downtown, and we can’t wait to see what 2017 will bring!
6 GREATER CHAMBERSBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
It’s All About Community! CHAMBER FOUNDATION
Community Education Coalition grows An evolution of the Franklin County Prosperity Report, the Community Education Coalition took shape in 2015 under the Chamber Foundation. A vision to develop a strong community where all individuals have the opportunity to grow and prosper was established. In 2016, the group worked on building out its three working groups to address early childhood education, employability and well-being. Many community partners are heavily involved with this initiative including the United Way of Franklin County, Franklin County Government and Summit Health. In spring 2016, the employability committee Students explore employers at the Career Expo partnered with Franklin County Career and Technology Center to host a career expo for middle school students. The expo introduced students to career options and what education and training is needed for different occupations. Near the end of the year, the well-being committee was rolled into another community initiative, Healthy Franklin County, to combine efforts and increase effectiveness. Work continues in all three areas.
LFC graduates 30th class Leadership Franklin County (LFC) celebrated the graduation of its 30th Community program in May 2016. The 2015-2016 class was comprised of 23 emerging and seasoned professionals with diverse backgrounds. Since 1986, LFC Community has graduated more than 600 area residents from this program, which was developed to produce well-informed, motivated leaders who are willing and capable of working together for the betterment of Franklin County. What started as a Chambersburg-only The 30th LFC Community class at graduation program is now countywide consisting of three programs. In addition to LFC Community are the Youth and Advanced programs. LFC Youth brings together high school sophomores from throughout the county to create a community of young people who are actively engaged in responsible, ethical and effective leadership. The 2015-2016 class marked the Youth program’s seventh year. LFC Advanced provides opportunities for higher-ground leadership development for managers and executives. In 2016, LFC Advanced hosted Leadercast as well as a half-day seminar on managing stress presented by Dale Carnegie Training.
Franklin County Works job board relaunched The Chamber Foundation relaunched the Franklin County Works website in fall 2016 featuring a new, mobile responsive design. The website, www.franklincountyworks.com, includes a local job board, resume bank, information about leadership training programs and advertising opportunties for employers. The site makes it simple for employers to find workers, examine resumes and manage accounts. Job seekers can easily find and apply for job openings, with the benefit of finding all local jobs at their fingertips. In its first few months, the website has seen more than 3,600 sessions with over 2,500 different users and a staggering 17,224 pageviews. The popularity of the site is anticipated to grow as more jobs are posted and word spreads about the local job board.
2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Michelle Paulnock, ACNB Bank - President Michael Doncheski, Penn State Mont Alto Vice President Jessica Kiers, Volvo Construction Equipment - Secretary Colby Fry, CVR Uniforms - Treasurer Brenda Hefner, Menno Haven Retirement Communities - Immediate Past Chair Troy Garman, RE/MAX Realty Agency Chamber Chair Angela Austin, Summit Health Leslie Baker, JLG Industries Ashley Barkdoll, Manitowoc Cheri Kearney, United Way of Franklin County Laureen Lutz, 1st Ed Credit Union Crystal Lautenslager, Chambersburg Area School District Angela Quigley, Smith Elliott Kearns & Co. Georgina Cranston, Greencastle Chamber
Leadercast brought to Franklin County Leadership Franklin County (LFC) Advanced was proud to be a host site for the first time of Leadercast. Leadercast is the largest one-day leadership event in the world broadcasted live from Atlanta to hundreds of locations. Leadercast brings together some of the most recognized and respected global leaders for a unique leadership conference experience. The theme in 2016 was Architects of Tomorrow and hosted during National Small Business Week. More than 80 people attended the all-day simulcast locally at Shippensburg University to hear from world-renowned leaders such as Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Inc.
Leadercast 2016 offered a full day of leadership development
LFC received positive feedback about hosting the event and plans to continue bringing Leadercast locally each year, providing an opportunity for advanced leadership development unlike any other in the region.
GREATER CHAMBERSBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 7
2016 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS The Chamber and its affiliates coordinated more than 220 events in 2016. Some events are held every month, such as Mixers and Lunch & Learns, while others are held annually, like the Annual Awards Breakfast and Scoop-a-Palooza. Even more events are planned for special occasions, including ribbon cuttings and milestone anniversaries. Here are pictures of some highlights from 2016: SIP & SAVOR: BLACK & WHITE BALL
OKTOBERFEST
LUNCH & LEARNS
RIBBON CUTTINGS
11/30 NETWORK YOUNG PROFESSIONALS EVENTS
COMMUNITY MURAL PROJECT WITH ISAIAH ZAGAR
RESTAURANT WEEK
SCOOP-A-PALOOZA ICEFEST
ANNUAL BUSNIESS BREAKFAST
GOLF TOURNAMENT
FRANKLIN CO. LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce 100 Lincoln Way East, Suite A Chambersburg, PA 17201 717-264-7101
[email protected] www.chambersburg.org
ANNUAL AWARDS BREAKFAST
The Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce is a 5-star accredited chamber, rated among the top 1% of chambers in the U.S., and is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the PA Chamber of Commerce.
