August 2023 The Chamber Connector

CONNECTOR

The Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter

President's Letter

It Takes a Village...

August always reminds me of hot afternoons, back-to-school activities, and last-minute vacations! In just a few short weeks, summer will end, and kids will head back to school In preparation, stores are stocked with back-to-school supplies and Fall clothing And stores are not the only ones preparing for the annual ritual

As parents, we may be dreading the expense of all those back-toschool necessities Teachers are starting to prepare their classrooms and curriculum School administration is enrolling new students and planning for growing classrooms I have always loved the African proverb that says, “it takes a village to raise a child,” because it truly does

Just last week, the United Way of Carlisle and Cumberland County held their Stuff the Bus event outside Walmart to collect school supplies for children in need In a few short weeks, those supplies will make their way to the Expo Center for the Carlisle for Kids event organized by Project SHARE. There, volunteers will welcome hundreds of families and their children to pick out new backpacks loaded with the supplies they need to start a new year

It takes a village to also provide a safe, healthy environment for that child to flourish I think of the many other nonprofits that support our village like the Carlisle Family YMCA and YWCA of Carlisle that provide childcare and after school programming I also think of Safe Harbour, the Salvation Army, Carlisle CARES, and Project SHARE that help to address shelter and food insecurity

As a Chamber, 10% of our membership is nonprofits, that is almost 70 members We are committed to helping all our members to connect, engage, and thrive Which is why we are excited to announce a new initiative starting in September called the Nonprofit Roundtable (see flyer) This quarterly roundtable is for nonprofit leaders and will create a space of connection, community, and learning We want to support our nonprofit members that help keep our village strong Special thanks to the Partnership for Better Health for sponsoring the series

In closing, we encourage anyone interested in volunteering for the upcoming Carlisle for Kids event on August 16th and we thank everyone who supported the Stuff the Bus initiative or has supported any of the programs above Your generosity will help hundreds of our students to feel supported and cared for It truly takes a village

Yours in Service, y, sident & CEO

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Curtious Executive Transportation Service

Carlisle, PA curtiousservice@centurylink.net

Mid Penn Bank (Opening Fall 2023) 1196 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle midpennbank.com

S. Perry Consulting & Coaching, LLC

Carlisle, PA sperryconsulting.org

Sofranko Advisory Group

6400 Brooktree Ct, Ste. 200, Wexford, PA sofrankoadvisors.com

Wick and Pour Studio 57 W Pomfret Street, Ste 204, Carlisle wickandpourstudio.com

The Chamber had a great time at the June 7th Firehouse Subs Ribbon Cutting. Thank you to our Ribbon Cutting sponsor Truist Bank! Welcome to the Chamber Family, Firehouse Subs!

Member Spotlight: CAEDC Hires New Economic Development Manager

Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC) recently completed its strategic plan, which included the hiring of Christy Zitsch as the Economic Development Manager in March Christy comes to CAEDC with over twelve years of expertise in real estate development, historic preservation, community collaboration, and strategic marketing She brings a passion for curating resilient communities

Christy assists local businesses with expansion, retention, and attraction, and cultivates strategic partnerships and relationships with area businesses, municipal and governmental entities, and Chambers in Cumberland County that support the County's economic health and mission Christy also facilitates financing arrangements through state loan and incentive programs

MEMBER HOT DEALS

Sponsored by

The Chamber ladies got their golf on at the June 8th Get Your Golf On event at the Carlisle Barracks presented by UPMC.

On June 13th the Chamber hosted a Lunch & Learn presented by Withum discussing Cybersecurity and how it's a business imperative. The Residences at Seven Gables

Royers Flowers & Gifts

Learning more about the State of Education in the Carlisle Area

by Jennifer Germain, Director of Marketing

On June 27th, the Chamber's State of Education presented by ChildTime School Age Care, LLC was held at the Carlisle Country Club Representatives from the four local school districts spoke with our members to discuss the current and future situations in each of the districts

Dr. Colleen Friend, Superintendent of Carlisle Area School District, and Chamber board member, spoke about the increased growth of the school district, especially in the northern part of the district With the influx of children coming into the district, the school is making plans to expand in certain areas

The claims of growth were echoed by each district, with each one handling the influx of children in different ways

DoyouhaveaChambertestimonialthatyou'dliketoshare?Or,perhapsastoryofhowafellow memberhashelpedyou?Wewouldlovetohearthosestoriesandfeaturetheminthenewsletter ContactJenGermainattheChamberofficetobefeatured

Nicholas Guarente, Superintendent of Big Spring, discussed their career pathways program at Big Spring to provide kids the experience they need to make choices for their future careers

Cumberland Valley's Assistant Superintendent, Greg Milbrand, also spoke of their "Portrait of an Eagle" that engages students to prepare them to be productive in society

Jason Baker, Assistant to the Superintendent in South Middleton School District also discussed expansion for their growing student population

Brad Griffie, Marie Habib, Dr. Colleen Friend, Nicole Deary, Jason Baker, Greg Milbrand, and Nicholas Guarente at the 2023 State of Education Presented

RENEWING MEMBERS

Atlantic Communications Studios

B.R. Kreider & Son, Inc.

Bosler Memorial Library

Capital Blue Cross

Carlisle Area Religious Council

Carlisle Elks #578

Carlisle Events

Coldwell Banker Realty

ColorMaxx LLC

Country-Aire Kennels

Crumbs

Dering Consulting Group

Dickinson College

Doceo

Gilbert's Professional Pest Control

Hardee's

Highlands' Tire & Service

Hope Station Neighborhood Council

John W. Gleim, Jr., Inc.

Kessler Food Services, Inc.

Latsha Davis & Marshall, P.C.

LegalShield

Levine Enterprises, Inc, McDonald's Office

Manpower

Martson Law Offices

Merry Maids

Miller Carlisle Insurance Services LLC

Mountz Jewelers

PA CareerLink Cumberland County

Penn State Dickinson Law

Peters Orchards/JBP Inc.

PPL Electric Utilities

Project Share of Carlisle

Red Robin # 338

SEK, CPAs & Advisors

Simply Well

Strickler Agency, Inc.

TownePlace Suites by Marriott Harrisburg West / Mechanicsburg

Trout CPA

Tuckey Companies

United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland County

Vitro

CARLISLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Congratulations to Back Porch Brewing, Inc, on your ribbon cutting! Welcome to the Chamber Family! Thank you to Truist Bank for sponsoring our ribbon cuttings.

On June 16th, the Chamber enjoyed a breakfast mixer hosted by Phoenix Physical Therapy.

All Aboard! The Chamber enjoyed the railroad exhibit themed evening mixer at the Cumberland County Historical Society on June 22nd.

Our Member 2 Member Networking Luncheon had fun treats, as well as networking. Thank you to Doceo for sponsoring this great event! Special thanks to Hickory Ridge Restaurant for the frozen treats.

Our Women for Women series held its Confidence Workshop at the Carlisle Theatre. This professional and personal growth event was presented by UPMC.

On July 12th, the Welcome Bags for the new Army War College Families were filled by our wonderful volunteers. Thank you to Navy Federal Credit Union for sponsoring this great outreach program.