By Danielle Coots
For the News-Current
BEAVERCREEK — Beavercreek Chambers of Commerce is celebrating 50 years and looks forward to a bright business future for the city.
In 1966, 65 local business owners developed a community project hoping for businesses and the community to work together. Shortly after, the project proved a success and continued.
“This has been an exciting year for the Chambers with us celebrating the 50th year. I look forward to the tradition of providing and meeting the needs of the Beavercreek community and the Township,” Chambers’ President/CEO Ann Upthegrove-Vore said.
According to Historic Greene County: An Illustrated History by Catherine Kidd Wilson, the first Chambers meeting was held in Beavercreek High School West cafeteria and was attended by board members, LeRoy Winner, Thomas Toy, Lou Mantag, and Gene Bennington. At the time, members were former Beavercreek Jaycees. Once a Jaycee turned 35 years-old they were encouraged to join the Chamber of Commerce. Thus, the connections began. It formed with 65 members. Now, 50 years later, it consists of more than 650 members and staff. The first paid employee of the Chamber was Rosemary Laxson.
“Working for the Chamber allows me the opportunity to exercise my passion and vision for the community. I’m able to work with business owners and enhance their successes by providing a support system that encompasses the community and chamber members,” Upthegrove-Vore said. “Every day the Beavercreek Chamber strives to achieve its motto, ‘Linking Business with Community’.”
Within the 50 years, the Chamber has been able to polish its skills in connecting, collaborating and providing opportunities between residents, businesses, schools and the government. It provides resources to its members. Through its networking opportunities, members are able to be proactive, to connect with other members, and diligently be an engaged resource to fellow business partners and organizations. Chamber members are involved within the community and are the foundation for the cultivation for its next generation of young professionals as future leaders develop within the community.
“Moving forward, I’d like to see continued involvement with other communities, additional services and resources made available to benefit our members and be the mentor resource for our young professionals,” Upthegrove-Vore said. “Partnering with the Chamber as a member provides businesses with an opportunity to participate and utilize discounts on insurance, prescription drugs, advertising, DP&L Energy, Clark State and Franklin University, and Workers’ Compensations programs, just to name a few.”
The Beavercreek Chamber is responsible for bringing the community together with the annual The Taste of Greene County, Golf Classic, Christmas Home Decorating Contest, Retail Merchants Christmas Sale Promotion, and the Fourth of July Fireworks at the Beavercreek High School.
“What I appreciate about the Beavercreek Chamber is that our members are long term members. We still have a few of the original founders as members,” Upthegrove-Vore said.
