Shenango Valley Chamber Holds Annual Dinner Nov. 8

SHARON, Pa. – The Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual dinner Nov. 8 at Park Inn by Radisson. Lisa Evans of the eCenter@LindenPointe will be honored as the Shenango Valley Business Ambassador of the Year and Sharon Beautification Commission will be honored as Shenango Valley Champion Organization of the Year.

“Sharon Beautification Committee’s commitment to the revitalization of the city of Sharon and the surrounding area is now known statewide,”  said Sherris Moreira, executive director of the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce. “And by Lisa Evans development of the innovative eAcademy, she is teaching our young people to create entrepreneurial businesses right here in the Shenango Valley.”

 Evans, along with her team, created the eAcademy programming over the past five years and has helped more than 100 high school seniors develop entrepreneurial concepts in the Shenango Valley region as well as across the country. Startups range from interior design, culinary, tiny homes, crystals, cyber security, e-commerce, business photography, yoga and micro-greenhouse.

An additional 10 college students participated in a first-time summer academy that was implemented this year with plans to repeat in 2019. There are also plans for the replication of the educational model across the state.

“I liked the excitement of building something brand new and after the challenge of developing the program for the students, I ended up falling in love with their excitement for life,” Evans said.

Evans has three goals with the eAcademy students: To help them have an empowerment mindset; a resourcefulness mindset and a community mindset.

Gary Gulla, the city of Hermitage assistant manager said, “She has developed the eAcademy program which transforms the students from high school seniors to young adult leaders and has connected the students to the educational, workforce and entrepreneurial opportunities in the region with real world experiences.”

The Sharon Beautification Commission was formed in 2005 and has 15 members appointed by city council. Project funding is supplied by the city, corporate sponsor The Insite Group, local and state grants, other sponsorships and in-kind services.

With more than 100 volunteers some of the projects accomplished most recently include the installation and maintenance of 80-plus flower baskets throughout downtown Sharon; several annual neighborhood cleanups; and removal of more than 30 trees and replacement of them with 50-plus new trees in downtown and River Gardens Park.

“This is no doubt the most engaged and productive volunteer organization that I have ever been a part of,” said Brian Kepple, chairman of the commission. “All of our members have championed projects to enhance our city with ongoing projects year-round. Participation levels are high with our loyal volunteer network.”

Besides recognizing the honorees, guests at the dinner will enjoy a creative cocktail hour that features stations with eAcademy entrepreneurial start-ups, as well as a live performance by Pipe Dreams band.

Tickets are $75 and tables of 10 are available for $700.

Those interested in attending the dinner can contact the chamber office at 724 981 5880 or email [email protected] for ticket information.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.