The Chamber Alliance Reflects on Four Decades
Forty years is a milestone, something to celebrate–and that’s exactly what the West Chester • Liberty Chamber Alliance is doing this year.
The Chamber Alliance has grown from a small group of 12 businessmen in the mid 1970’s, to the region’s third largest Chamber with about 750 member businesses. Its mission is to help establish West Chester and Liberty Townships as the region’s business epicenter. As more businesses begin to call West Chester and Liberty “home,” The Chamber Alliance has been working diligently with area organizations to grow the region’s commerce, education and infrastructure for the past four decades.
“As our region continues to grow, we look forward to growing along with it,” says Pamela Gruber, Marketing, PR and Events Coordinator for the Chamber.
To commemorate its 40th anniversary, the West Chester • Liberty Chamber Alliance hosted a celebration in March. While the anniversary celebration is an annual event, this year’s gathering went to the next level, with a keynote speaker and entertainment that captured memories of the past 40 years.
“We continue to honor the history of our Chamber by naming our annual awards after our founding members,” Gruber says.
Those awards are bestowed annually upon businesses and individual members who excel in the areas of leadership, community service, beautification and membership. The Chamber has been able to celebrate its 40th anniversary with help from its 2016 sponsors, including the 40th Anniversary Sponsor, UC Health–West Chester Hospital. And the celebrations have continued all year.
Joseph Hinson, President and CEO of The Chamber Alliance agrees that there is much to celebrate. Hinson identifies the Union Centre Boulevard Interchange, which was built in 1997, as one of the most significant developments in the past four decades. Other recent advancements include State Route 129, which opened an 11-mile stretch of highway from I-75 to Hamilton, and the 2008 Liberty Way Interchange, which has provided a gateway for businesses like Liberty Center.
Hinson sees the Chamber continuing to support the vision of future growth and development within West Chester and Liberty Townships and the I-75 Growth Corridor.
“Using the Chamber’s platform as an influential business leader in our region helps our members with key business connections, strategic positioning for their future growth and enhances their knowledge of our ever-changing landscape,” Hinson adds.
One way in which The Chamber Alliance will continue to help members grow their businesses is by partnering with Access Business Development and Finance, which will reside in the Chamber’s corporate office in January 2017. Access supports small to mid-market businesses with financial and technical resources. Along with SCORE, which is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses accelerate to the next level, Access will help the the Chamber continue to support economic growth in the coming years.
“Access and SCORE will provide the additional resources and expertise to enhance our Chamber’s mission as a hub for business as we continue to connect people and possibilities locally and throughout the region,” Hinson says.
The West Chester • Liberty Chamber Alliance has stayed the course over the years as new businesses opened and relocated to the area, and Hinson looks forward to many years to come.
“Experiencing our community 24-7 has allowed us the opportunity to have a more thorough understanding of our community, and therefore provide the best possible service to our members and the business community,” Hinson says.
While The Chamber Alliance has been celebrating its first four decades this year, it’s always planning for the future business needs of West Chester and Liberty Townships.
“There’s still room for growth and development,” Gruber says. “The possibilities are endless.”