The Pike County Chamber of Commerce held its 17th Annual Community Awards Banquet on Wednesday, November 2nd at The Best Western Inn in Matamoras. It was hosted by the Pike County Chamber in partnership with the Service Organizations throughout the area.

Ten non-profit organizations were on hand to honor their own and to showcase their commitments toward the worthwhile work that each does in our community. The following people were honored: Kelly Paddock at Center for Developmental Disabilities, Marie Horsfield at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, Alice-Jane Loewrigkeit at the Milford Garden Club, Kim & Tim Smith at Milford-Matamoras Rotary Club, Laurie Hollenbeck at Milford Senior Care & Rehab Center, Jeffrey Wright at Pike County Advanced Life Support, Pat & Bill Crane at the Pike County Area Agency on Aging, Rosalyn Moon at Pike County Developmental Center, Robert Rohner, Jr. at Pike County Public Library and Rhoda Barr at Wayne/Pike Adult Literacy Agency.

The Pike County Chamber itself presented three awards: Chamber Director of the Year to Mrs. Philly Viscardo of Dingman Delaware Insurance Agency, Outstanding Business of the Year to Pike County Light & Power Company and Outstanding Volunteer of the Year to Mr. Paul Brislin.

The Chamber wishes to thank Art Ridley, Carol & Peter Markwalter and Zorianna and her staff at The Best Western Inn who helped make this another successful Chamber event. If you wish to learn more about the honorees and their organizations, please contact the Chamber office at (570) 296-8700 for the program booklet that was handed out that evening.

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce welcomed A+ Computer Repair & Internet Café to its membership at their Grand Opening on November 5th, 2011. A+ offers computer repairs, installations, virus removal, website design and computer classes amongst many other services. Their Café boasts a relaxing atmosphere with new Windows PC’s and Apple Mac’s with high speed internet, Microsoft Office, premium coffee and light refreshments. A+ Computer Repair & Internet Café is located at 658 Route 749, Suite 9 in Lords Valley and can be contacted at 570-737-4299 or info@aplusinternetcafe.com and their website is www.APlusInternetCafe.com. Stop by to congratulate them!

As the Chief Administrator for the Pike County Economic Development Alliance Management Board, the incumbent is responsible for providing administrative and professional assistance to the Alliance Management Board and, as required to the Chamber Board and Economic Development Authority Board, in the implementation of the strategic plan adopted by each Board.

Primary duties are the development of new business/industry in Pike County, and the retention and expansion of existing business thereby creating job opportunities, strengthening the tax base and establishing diversity in the economic foundation of the county, and other duties as deemed necessary by the Alliance Board of Directors.

Salary dependent upon experience. All resumes should be sent to: mguberman@thedimebank.com.

The Pike County Economic Development Authority and the Pike County Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the formation of the Pike County Economic Alliance, bringing the two organizations together in a collaborative working enterprise structure.

The formation of the Pike County Economic Alliance was spearheaded by the Alliance Taskforce Committee whose members were appointed by each organization. The Alliance Taskforce Committee conducted an investigation of economic support organizations in comparable counties throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Drawing upon examples of other successful working alliances in these counties, the Committee developed a plan which will focus on Pike County’s economic stimulus.

The Economic Development Authority is principally charged with bringing new business to the County and the Pike County Chamber of Commerce is charged with strengthening existing County business. Each organization will continue to maintain its individual mission, objectives, Board of Directors and Committees.

“The Taskforce has done an outstanding job in moving this project forward. We are very excited to see their long hours of research, deliberation and planning come to completion in the formation of the Alliance. This effort will greatly enhance our ability to support the local economy,” commented Dave Farrington, Board Chairman of the Economic Development Authority.

As a working alliance, together the organizations will accomplish their shared objectives of utilizing a more efficient use of resources and a united management effort under a joint Executive Director. This alliance will enhance financial efficiencies within each organization, resulting in a stronger economic environment through cost saving benefits.

A search for one Executive Director to head the Alliance and manage both the Chamber and the Economic Development Authority is underway. Job description information may be found on both the Chamber’s website www.pikechamber.com and the EDA’s website www.edapikepa.org.

Pike County Economic Development & Chamber of Commerce offer FREE Marcellus Shale Seminar

The Pike County Economic Development Authority and the Pike County Chamber of commerce are pleased to announce a seminar titled “Learn How Your Business Can Profit From Marcellus Shale “presented by Professor of Agriculture and Economics at Penn State University’s Dr. Tim Kelsey Ph. D as he shares his findings from studies he has conducted on the Marcellus Shale Industry from a Business perspective. This is a chance to find out how you & your business can take advantage of the opportunities arising from this industry development in and around our area.

This FREE seminar is being held at the Delaware Valley High School media room on November 15th from 5pm-6:30pm. This is an educational seminar and not an endorsement of the Marcellus Shale Industry. For more information please contact Tammy Savarese 570-296-7332.

The over 200 guests who attended the Pike County Chamber of Commerce Signature Event were all ears while listening to the keynote speaker Mr. Alan Gerry. After a lovely meet and greet cocktail party everyone dined in the ball room with a nice dinner while being musically entertained by John Curtin's Gypsy Jazz Quintet.

During coffee and dessert Mr. Gerry gave his presentation on how he started out as a young man and developed the cable industry to what it is today and then sold it. Over the years and continuing through today Mr. Gerry continues to give back to the community by donating to many worthy causes, developing his entrepreneurial endeavors and one of his most notable successes, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Mr. Gerry's right hand man Darrell Supak then stepped up and gave a detailed overview of how Bethel Woods began and what it has grown to today. Mr. Gerry then finished off the presentation with a question and answer session.

Grateful that Mr. Gerry accepted our invitation, the Chamber commissioned local Artist Elisa Ferracane to hand make a one-of-a-kind gift of an etched glass Angel Tree and hand drawing of Mr. Gerry which was presented by Ms. Ferracane and Ed Nikles. Mr. Gerry was humbled and honored and hoped everyone enjoyed the evening.

The Pike County Chamber would like to thank the many generous sponsors who helped make our event so successful - Granite Associates, L.P., Biondo Investment Advisors, Pike County Light & Power, Bon Secours Community Hospital, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Wayne Memorial Hospital and The Dime Bank as Gold Sponsors, Wayne Bank as Silver Sponsor and Dingman Delaware Insurance Agency, McGoey, Hauser & Edsall, Rodgers-Olver-Polley, Inc., Focus Media, The Harrington House and Grimm Construction as Bronze Sponsors. The following media sponsors include The Milford Journal, Our House/Excursions Magazines & Bold Gold Media. Musical entertainment sponsors were the Hotel Fauchere and Citizens Bank.

The Chamber is hard at work planning another entertaining and educational Signature Event for 2012 and we hope to see more of you there. For more information on the Pike County Chamber of Commerce please visit www.pikechamber.com.