President’s Message: Strengthening Our Communities
Source: Chris Berleth Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce CEO/President
Last week, Taryn, Amber, and I attended the Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals Fall Conference, and we came home excited about what we learned and what we can put to work here in Columbia and Montour Counties. Spending time with colleagues who understand the nature of our work, are generous with their experience, and want to see one another succeed is something I’ve come to appreciate about this industry.
The conference also gave me a chance to reflect as I received a ten-year service award for my time in the Chamber industry. Across two Chambers, those years have brought friendships, opportunities, and experiences I couldn’t have imagined when I started. I’m grateful for the people I’ve learned from and the communities I’ve had the privilege to serve, and as much as I enjoyed looking back, last week gave me even more reason to be excited about where we’re going.
That was especially true at two other events I had the privilege of attending: the beam-topping ceremony for Geisinger’s new patient tower at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville and the groundbreaking at Coblentz Corner in Berwick. Both were opportunities to celebrate people and organizations whose belief in our communities’ future has led them to make substantial investments and commit years of work to bringing these projects to life.
At Geisinger, the new tower represents an extraordinary investment in the care available to our families, friends, neighbors, and employees. Expanded emergency care, modern surgical and intensive care spaces, and private patient rooms will make a difference for people across our region, while strengthening an institution that helps make this a great place to live..
In Berwick, Coblentz Corner will give a long-vacant downtown property a new purpose, with a teen center, entrepreneurship academy, and incubator space creating opportunities for young people and prospective business owners. Congratulations to Community Strategies Group and the many partners making this project possible, including For The Cause, Berwick Borough, Columbia County, and the state and federal leaders whose support helped move it forward.
Unrelated to the Coblentz Corner event, I must give as an aside a word of congratulations to two of the people in attendance at the groundbreaking, Rich Kisner and Danielle Pearson, who were recently recognized by the Columbia Montour BSA for their contributions to our community. Their recognition is well deserved, and I’m grateful for the commitment they and so many others continue to make to our region.
“Strengthening Our Communities” is one of the Chamber’s five focus areas, and last week offered plenty of reminders of why it belongs there. Our employers and communities have a shared future, and investments in healthcare, young people, and opportunities for new businesses help all of us move forward.
As you read this, we’re bringing that same enthusiasm to the Business Leadership Forum at the Pine Barn Inn, where our “Back to the Basics” theme has brought local leaders together to share their experience in human resources, finances, sales, and more. After coming home from our own conference with fresh ideas, Taryn, Amber, and I are especially glad to help create an opportunity for others to learn, compare notes, and find something useful to take back to their organizations. We have exceptional people doing this work right here, and there’s real value in making time to learn from one another.
We’ll have another opportunity to enjoy that company at the Chamber’s Holiday Open House on Thursday, December 10, from 5 to 8 p.m. With wonderful food from member restaurants and caterers and time to catch up with friends and fellow members, it’s a celebration I’m looking forward to, and I hope you’ll join us.
Bring a colleague, make an introduction, and spend some time with the people who make our communities stronger. Ten years in Chamber work have taught me how much can begin with a conversation and a willingness to help.
May the next ten years beget an even stronger community than the one I’m so pleased to boast of now!
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce represents local employers in supporting vibrant, sustainable communities in Columbia and Montour Counties. For more information about the region’s top businesses, visit www.columbiamontourchamber.com.
