Chamber, 270 members celebrate new office complex
The Daily Item
Page B2 Friday, April 30, 2010
MILTON – with a ceremonial snip of oversized scissors, a red ribbon parted Thursday night and officially unveiled the Central Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce’s new office complex at 30 Lawton Lane in the Milton Industrial Park, the former Delmarva Data Center. Surrounded by members of the chamber board, President and CEO Maria Culp did the honors, telling assembled members and colleagues that the new permanent home was possible because of their support and that the offices meant the chamber could better serve them and the community.
Previously renting space in a former shoe factory in Milton, the chamber has been moving its location from place to place since the early 1980s. As the chamber grew to more than 270 members and broadened its role in economic development with business and education partnerships, the need for additional space became evident.
In the new location, the chamber now has space for four businesses and special data facilities, with a raised computer floor and separate heating and cooling for potential clients. With these assets, the chamber has planned to reposition itself as a Central Pennsylvania Chamber and Regional Resource Center.
In her remarks Culp highlighted the chamber’s designation as a Keystone Innovation Zone agent, which is attractive to start-up business that could locate on the lower level of the newly refurbished building. The grand opening awaited a thorough interior renovation by T-Ross Brothers Construction Inc. of Milton under the direction of Todd Ross, who is president of the chamber board.
Part of the ceremonies Thursday included naming of the brown and gold central conference room “The Ross Room,” which is a modernized meeting space with video conferencing and Webinar capabilities.
Ross expressed his appreciation on behalf of this family, acknowledging the strength the local business community draws from working together through the chamber. “We expect to be around for a long time to come,” he said. Earlier Culp said the chamber had hosted a steady stream of visitors throughout the day of the open house, which was scheduled to run from 10a.m. to 7p.m. with food and refreshments.
