Connections At The Chamber
There is a lot to be involved in at the Chamber...let us help you find ways to connect!
Whitley County Chamber Welcomes New President
The Board of Directors of the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Sara Lochner-Goff has been named the new President of the county-wide chamber.
Goff will assume the duties of President August 16. Goff, a resident of Columbia City and formerly South Whitley, will be leaving her position as Executive Director of the Learn More Center in North Manchester, IN. For several years prior, Goff was the Community Representative and Community Development Director in eight northeast Indiana counties for the American Cancer Society.
“We are really excited to bring Sara to the chamber. Her business and fundraising experiences, contacts and outgoing personality will be huge assets to us as we grow county-wide. Sara is really looking forward to getting out and meeting our members at their places of business, as well as introducing herself, and the chamber, to potential new members in the community,” said Chamber Board Chairman Michael DeFreeuw.
9th Annual Whitley County Autumn Art Festival
Whitley County Autumn Art Festival – September 11
Over 40 artists, exhibitors, dancers and musicians are perfecting their art in preparation for this year’s Art Festival scheduled for Saturday, September 11, 2010 from 9 am to 5 pm in downtown Columbia City. This year’s theme is Patriotic with a kick-off by the Korean War Veterans and a moment of silence in remembrance of the 9/11 tragedy at 9 am. The Art Festival is funded in part by grants from chamber members Parkview Whitley Hospital and the Whitley County Community Foundation as well as a grant from the Journal Gazette Foundation.
A lot of fun and culture will be packed into this yearly one day event including:
- History Chalk Walk Contest sponsored by the Fort Wayne Museum of Art (cash awards!)
- Art Exhibitors all around the courthouse square.
- Children’s Art Tent featuring Balloon Art with Sweetcakes Comedy & Caricature Artist Mark Ryan.
- A Silent Art Auction at the Clugston from 11 am – 2 pm.
- Indiana Pacemate Cheerleader’s Dance Routine
- Children’s Amateur Art Show – Clugston Lobby
- Humane Society Pet Road Show
- Street Art Rush – Local businesses display painted window art
- And the Mini-Chocolate Festival returns, too!
For more information call Trudy-Miller Longhenry at 260-609-3485 or visit www.wcaaf.org .
South Whitley Fall Festival
The annual fall festival for the town of South Whitley will be held Friday night through Sunday, September 17-19. There are many activities and contests planned so please visit the Festival Website, e-mail southwhitleyfallfestival(at)yahoo.com or call 260-609-2207 / 260-609-8883 for further information.
Table Top Networking Night
The Whitley County Chamber of Commerce & Morsches Builder's Mart present the 4th Annual Table Top Networking Night!
Q: What is it?
A: Any business can bring a card table size table, their own display, brochures, "freebies" and even door prizes(optional). Set-up your booth and bring two people, one to man the booth and one to visit other businesses. It's a great evening of easy networking and finding new acquaintances and business contacts! And refreshments will be served!
Q: When is it?
A: Thursday evening, September 16th, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the Whitley County 4-H Building. Doors open at 5:30 for booth set-up.
Q: Who can participate?
A: Any company doing business in Whitley County. We are especially encouraging new chamber member businesses from all over the county, since this may be your first year with the chamber!
Q: Is there a cost?
A: This is a free event for any Whitley County Chamber member. Non-members are welcome to participate for a nominal $20 a booth, and this year we are offering a special rate to any non-member business in its first year of operation - $10 a booth.
Q: How do I sign-up?
A: Reservations are required for this event by Monday, September 13th. Either call the chamber office at 248-8131, e-mail Michelle at office(at)whitleychamber.com, fill out the on-line registration form, or print a registration form and fax to our office. Reservations must be paid in advance or at the door.
Women Build Program Comes to Habitat for Humanity of Whitley County
In case you haven’t heard yet, Whitley County women are getting ready to don their hard hats and make a difference in our community by building a home for Habitat for Humanity. The program has actually been around since 1998 building over 1700 homes to their credit around the world. Starting on September 16th, 2010, a crew of women volunteers will raise the walls on a home at 608 Ellsworth St., learning construction skills and helping to be part of the solution to poverty housing.
The Women Build program, underwritten by Lowe’s, will be building the home over a month and a half, planning their schedule on a Thursday through Saturday time frame. Chamber member Crossroads Bank will be one of the sponsors of the home and Dottie Cole of the Investment Center at Crossroads Bank will be the Crew Leader. Dottie says of the project, “My first Women Build project, in 2007, was one of the most rewarding non-profit projects that I have worked on. The passion of doing something that I had not thought I could do has led to getting ready for my fourth build.”
Do you want to know more or possibly volunteer to be a part of this project? Contact Dottie at 260-568-3870 or e-mail womenbuild(at)habitatwhitley.org.
Accelerating Innovation Announces Second Fast Trac New Ventures Course
Whitley EDC launches second business planning course
COLUMBIA CITY (July 26, 2010) - The Whitley County EDC announced today that following on the success of its 2010 FastTrac New Ventures course, business incubation program managers Sharon Sallot and Scot Goskowicz will lead another eleven-week New Ventures program beginning in September 2010.
FastTrac is a practical, hands-on business development program designed to help entrepreneur's fine tune the skills needed to create, manage, and grow a successful business. FastTrac participants don't just learn about business, they live it! They work on their own business ideas or ventures throughout the program - moving their ventures to reality or new levels of growth.
What: FastTrac New Ventures
When: 6:00 – 9:00PM on Tuesdays
Beginning September 7, 2010
Where: Whitley County EDC
220 W Van Buren Street, Suite 102
Columbia City, IN
Participants in a FastTrac® program learn to operate their businesses effectively through a certified Kauffman Foundation business planning program using sources of information, and to make decisions based on trust and competence. In this learning -focused environment, participants will:
· Fine tune skills to create and/ or grow a successful business
· Learn from experienced entrepreneur facilitators, business coaches, guest speakers and peers
· Transfer knowledge in a peer-to-peer environment
· Expand their network of community resources
· Work ON their business, not IN it
· Receive continual feedback from experienced entrepreneurs
· Learn a business development and planning process they can use as a tool for the ongoing development of their business
The Whitley County EDC sponsors a services-based business incubation program that now serves twelve client companies from throughout Whitley County. An earlier FastTrac New Ventures course attracted thirteen participants ranging from pre-startup “discovery” stage entrepreneurs to “acceleration” stage growth companies.
For more information or to register for the FastTrac New Ventures program, please contact business incubation program managers Sharon Sallot and Scot Goskowicz (below). Registration Form
About Whitley County EDC
The Whitley County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is the lead economic development agency in Whitley County, Indiana. The EDC works closely with local, regional, and state partners to support our industry clients' growth and success. Our mission is to implement a unified economic development effort and to expand employment and business opportunities for the benefit of the people of Whitley County by developing and maintaining cooperation of all individuals, groups, and organizations within the county. The Whitley County EDC was established in 1992 and represents Whitley County, Columbia City, and the Towns of Churubusco, Larwill, and South Whitley. For more information about the EDC, visit www.whitleyedc.com.
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Media Contacts:
Alan Tio (Whitley County EDC) – 260.244.5506
Sharon Sallot (Sallot Ventures) – 260.244.3176
Scot Goskowicz (SBDC) – 260.481.0493
Chamber Bucks - A Great Idea!
Beginning October 1, 2009, the chamber has started its own in-house gift certificate program called Chamber "Bucks." The Bucks are accepted by Chamber member businesses and are available through the chamber office in denominations of $5, $10, and $25. Click on the Chamber Bucks link to see participating merchants, get more information, or order your bucks!
