The Pike County Chamber of Commerce has awarded the Sidney L. Krawitz Scholarship of $500 to Tyler Savarese, a graduating student of the Delaware Valley High School.  A varsity football player and school record holder for pole vaulting, Savarese will be attending Mansfield College in the fall to major in Broadcast Communications.  He began volunteering at the chamber of commerce in 8th grade to full fill his community service requirement for his church confirmation.  “Each year the Pike County Chamber of Commerce looks to award this scholarship to a Delaware Valley High School student who follows in Sidney L. Krawitz’s values,” stated the Chamber’s CEO, Danielle Jordan.  “The Chamber is proud to support our local young adults who aim high and recognize the value in giving back to their community.”  Congratulations to Tyler and the graduating class of 2010!

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce has announced the postponement of the Saturday, June 26th, Community Expo & Tricky Tray to a later date in the year.  Due to numerous non-profit events scheduled for this Saturday, the Chamber felt that it was best to reschedule the date.  “I would like to acknowledge and offer gratitude to Pike County Light and Power for their sponsorship and our media sponsors; Bold Gold Media Group, The Pike County Dispatch and the Milford Journal”, stated the Chamber’s CEO Danielle Jordan.  “Please look for this wonderful event in the fall season!”

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce has taken a strong stance as the conduit for the collective voice of local Pike County businesses near the Matamoras bridge construction area.  Danielle Jordan, CEO of the Pike Chamber, went door to door to personally talk to every business located from the Delaware Valley High School up to the bridge.

A comprehensive report titled "Business Status Update Report with regard to the Matamoras / Port Jervis Bridge Construction" was created by Jordan to show the direct impact of the construction to these local area businesses.  With the information obtained from 44 area business owners or managers, the survey showed that 40 of these businesses expressed that since the construction began their businesses were being impacted, with some claiming up to a 50% decrease in revenue.

The Chamber has sent a letter with the report attached to all of the PA local, state and federal Legislators requesting their immediate assistance in finding a solution which is both safe for emergency personnel and business conscious.

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce stated that they are fully aware of the imperative construction that must take place to maintain the safety of the bridge.  In addition, the Chamber appreciates that complex decisions have been made by Penn DOT regarding hours of operations and detoured traffic routes. The Chamber affirmed that it is imperative to the economic strength of the area that the construction traffic not cause a diversion to the area or severely back up causing major traffic waits.  In addition, the Chamber advised that they have received numerous calls of concern over the safety of the stopped traffic on Interstate 84 West, which is a popular tractor trailer route.

"Reducing the ability to navigate in this area has discouraged customers and tourists from visiting our region and our local businesses," Jordan concluded.  "This issue has made the struggling economic situation in this area of Pike County even more desperate."

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce held their 2010 Signature Event on Thursday, May 20th at the beautiful Woodloch Pines Resort.  The #1 best selling business author on Amazon, Tony Rubleski, presented the keynote presentation to a room packed with local business people hanging onto his every word.  In addition to the dinner, an in-depth workshop was held the next morning at the Hampton Inn in Matamoras.

Here's what local business people are saying about the event:

"One of our new Marketing Consultants attended the Signature event with me.  She is already applying the insight she gained to her daily sales activities and finding it successful."  Matthew Dorcas - Local Sales Manager for Bold Gold Media Group.

"Fresh and revitalized approaches and ideas are the wrappers needed to maintain the edge and stand out as a yellow tulip in today's changing world.  Rubleski is on his game and on our side."  Carol Markwalter - Pike County Dispatch

"Attending the Signature Event was worth every penny and more!  Tony Rubleski delivered a dynamic presentation on how to bring more sales and customers through the door, and just as important, how to maintain customer base by implementing proven, common sense techniques.  Taking advantage of the many and varied programs the Pike County Chamber offers is essential to optimally running a business."  Mary Ann Butler from the Times herald-Record

"What a great opportunity this was for small businesses to gain new marketing ideas that would set them apart from their competition", said Ed Nikles, President of Ed Nikles Custom Builder.

"Tony's message was relevant to all business learning how to strive ahead in this new economy," said Pike Chamber CEO, Danielle Jordan. "He explained that everyone is a sales person, whether it is in your job description or not."

"Without the support of sponsorships this event could not have happened", said Jordan. "These local business sponsors are to be commended for helping other businesses by sponsoring educational programming." Major sponsors for this event were the Dime Bank, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Pike Light and Power and the Wayne Bank. Supporting sponsors were the Woodloch Pines Resort, PennStar Bank, and Bon Secours Heath System. Media sponsors are the Bold Gold Media Group, Best Western and the Pike County Dispatch.

For more information on future Pike Chamber events and educational seminars visit www.pikechamber.com.

Photos:
#1 Tony Rubleski and Ed Nikles, Sr.
#2 Tony Rubleski and PCCC CEO Danielle Jordan
#3 Tony Rubleski talks one on one with Ekaterina Pereyra, Marketing Assistant for Dime Bank at the seminar

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for the grand opening of Pike County Taxi, which is based in Dingmans Ferry, PA.  Pike County Taxi is a family run business with over 35 years of experience in the ground transportation industry.
"Previously I owned a high end limousine transportation service in New York City", said Rocco Traverso, Pike County Taxi owner.  "We recognize that it is very important to provide superior customer assistance with friendly and helpful drivers, clean cars and prompt service.  Our business philosophy is to provide limousine service at taxi cab rates."
Pike County Taxi provides safe and reliable transportation on a short trip to the grocery store or a reserved trip to   the airport.  Their coverage area includes all of Pike and Wayne Counties with continuous service 24 hours a day and 7 days of the week.  For convenience, most major credit cards and debit cards are also accepted.
For more information or to schedule transportation service call 570-828-2222.

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for the grand opening of Scentchips, located in the Lumberyard Shops in Milford, PA.

“Recently, when I was looking for a new venture, I visited the Scentchips home store in San Antonio, Texas. I was very impressed with the product and thought it would be great fun to offer Scentchips in my hometown,” said Leah Meola, the new owner of the home fragrance store.

The Milford store is one of the first stores of its kind to open on the east coast. Scentchips is the original of the scented wax chips and there are 48 individual scents which can be mixed into custom blends, with the most popular mixtures pre-packaged. In addition, many different style burners such as electric, plug-ins and those used with tea lights are available.

A personalized scentchips blend makes for a thoughtful gift or housewarming present. Stop in today and make your world smell better!


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For more information contact the Chamber: info@pikechamber.com or call (570) 296 -8700