Shenango Chamber Touts Partnerships, Placemaking for 2020
SHARON, Pa. – The Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce is preparing for 2020 with new partnerships, expanded services and a focus on amplifying the next generation of leadership in the business community they serve.
It’s also looking at creative placemaking with an eye toward expanding the quality of life amenities in the Shenango Valley to attract potential residents and employers, says its executive director, Sherris Moreira. To bring these plans to fruition, the chamber is developing new partnerships, she says.
“We are so excited to announce a partnership with Sassy Girl Media’s Deanna Hinz – who will be providing Success Coach services to our chamber in 2020,” Moreira says. “We have a big year ahead and wanted to be proactive in our approach to be at our most effective for our community and region.”
In addition to chamber support, the partnership includes discounted services from Sassy Girl to chamber members, such as certified success coaching, website design and digital marketing among others.
“There are so many exciting things happening right now in the Shenango Valley and I’m thrilled to become a partner with their chamber,” Hinz says. “I’m excited about the opportunity to work with them as we take their business to the next level.”
This year, the chamber is putting a focus on creative placemaking, which SmartGrowthAmerica.org defines as the process in which “partners from public, private, nonprofit and community sectors strategically shape the physical and social character of a neighborhood, town, city, or region around arts and cultural activities.”
The chamber recently received a $100,000 Creative Communities Collaborative Initiative grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, which will go toward developing a community Fab Lab and Retail Incubator in Sharon. More details will be available during a press event at 1 p.m. Jan. 10 at Laurel Technical Institute.
Also in 2020, the chamber will expand its services to include Get-2-Work Productions, a video and podcasting company that is inclusive of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The company is incubated by Whole Life Services of Hermitage and will provide additional marketing opportunities for chamber members and help promote the Shenango Valley area.
Get-2-Work’s studio is located in downtown Sharon and has a video and podcast studio available to rent. An open house is planned for early 2020.
“These kinds of collaborations are the strength of the Shenango Valley area,” Moreira says.
Thrive Shenango Valley, a chamber-affiliated group of young professionals under the age of 40, is expanding its role with bi-monthly meetups. Lattes with a Leader are early morning question-and-answer sessions with area leaders, and Craft (Beer) & Connect will be business community connection events during happy hour.
Leadership Shenango will also be expanded to twice annually, with the choice of either a spring (Feb. 5 – May 28) or fall (Sept. 2 – Dec. 10) session to fit with a number of work schedules.
“Supporting our next generation of business and community leaders will be key to the future success of the Shenango Valley region,” Moreira says.
Moreira will share more details at the annual Shenango Valley Forecast Breakfast Tuesday Jan. 28 at Avalon Country Club in Buhl Park, Hermitage.
Other 2020 chamber signature events include the 2nd annual Shenango Valley Home & Garden Show Feb. 8 at Avalon Country Club, Buhl Park; the Celebration of Mercer County’s Forty under 40 April 8 at the Park Inn by Radisson; the 16th Annual Phoenix Awards May 21 at The Corinthian Banquet Center, Sharon; MembershipFest June 11 at Tam O’Shanter, Hermitage; Light up the Sky at Buhl Park fireworks celebration July 5; SV Chamber Ladies Golf Outing July 27 at Yankee Run Golf Course in Brookfield, Ohio, and Shenango Valley Fitness Fest & Wellness Expo Aug. 9 in Buhl Park.
“The future of the Shenango Valley is full of great possibilities and we’re excited to be a part of it,” Moreira says.
Pictured: Downtown Sharon, Pa.
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