Photo courtesy of the City of Pickerington
Chamber President Theresa Byers with Pickerington Mayor Lee Gray outside City Hall.
The City of Pickerington and the Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce have developed a strong business alliance that is founded on open communication and a strong vision for community growth.
“By having open lines of communication, we have developed a strong partnership of support for the business community,” said Chamber President Theresa Byers.
Byers, who has been on the job as president less than a year, added, “We visit businesses together, share business concerns with each other and celebrate wins together.”
As part of this partnership approach to bringing business into Pickerington, City Development Services Director Joe Henderson said that when the City meets with any potential new business or developer, the entity receives a development folder about the multifaceted dynamics of the City and a Chamber letter welcoming it to Pickerington.
The partnership between City and Chamber provides an open conduit designed to help businesses succeed in Pickerington.
One of the most successful programs that has made an economic difference is the City’s Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) program.
“The goal of the program is to meet with at least 50 businesses per calendar year and see how they are doing, what their future plans are and if there is anything we can do to help them,” Henderson said.
When the City Development team members meet with businesses, they are often accompanied by representatives from the Chamber.
This business outreach program provides partners with an opportunity to hear business concerns and good news, and show their collaborative support of the business community.
In addition, the Development Services Department opens its doors the first Thursday of each month at 8:30 a.m. for the Chamber to host an Economic Development meeting at City Hall.
As part of the updates, businesses hear from representatives from the City, Chamber, Violet Township, Pickerington Public Library and Pickerington Local School District.
The City also sponsors, by appointment, growth management meetings every Tuesday from 1-5 p.m. for businesses interested in meeting with the Development Services Department, which includes Planning and Zoning, Building and Economic Development Divisions and the Engineering Department.
To set up a Growth Management or Business Retention and Expansion meeting, businesses just need to contact the Development Services Department at development@pickerington.net.
“These meetings allow businesses direct access to department heads and staff who can assist with questions on development,” Henderson said.
City Manager Bill Vance said the strong working relationship between the City and Chamber is good for business and provides businesses with easy access to City leaders who attend Chamber events.
“We have taken time to get to know each other and shared our visions for the future. We have direct access to the right departments to assist members with the growth of their business, or to take care of any of their concerns,” Byers said.
Membership in the Chamber is open to any business interested in reaching the Pickerington market.
“Membership in the Pickerington Area Chamber starts as low as $99 for a home-based business and goes up to $500 with companies having more than 100 employees,” Byers said. “That means for roughly $8 to $40 a month, you are investing in the growth of your business.”
Besides connecting and networking businesses with other area stakeholders, membership benefits include discounted group health insurance, workers’ compensation and phone service; an affordable way to market and promote business and opportunities to become more involved in the community.
“In almost every case, if you put a little effort into your Chamber membership, you will most definitely receive a return on your investment,” Byers said.
Byers and Henderson agree that the key to successful and sustainable business growth in Pickerington is working together as a team – in 2015 and beyond.
“The Chamber is excited to be a part of the growth, the celebrations and the fun that this year is going to bring,” Byers said. “We are excited about our strong relationship with the City, the township and the schools, and we continue to look forward to even more success.”
