The growth of eastern Delaware County was noted at the Sunbury/Big Walnut Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting held Thursday at the Northstar Golf Club.
“You’ve probably noticed it, whether it’s the traffic or the construction,” said Chamber President Cindy Erndt. “Our community is growing, and we’ve begun a new era.”
“Growth is the key word,” said Executive Director John Fox, reading a long list of new chamber members during his report. “They see success being in eastern Delaware County.”
A couple hundred people attended to take part in the meeting, mingling, dining, bidding on silent auction items, and to see their fellow members receive recognition for contributions to the community.
The awards went to people, organizations, and businesses who Fox said “surpassed their obligations and given much to the Big Walnut Area.”
The recipients were Tony Eisnnicher (Community Service Award); Middlefield Bank of Sunbury (Business of the Year); Chauncey Montgomery (Past President); Beth Panyik (Chamber Board Service); SnowPaw Solutions (New Business Member of the Year); and the Sunbury Lions Club (Special Recognition).
Fox also mentioned a number of the events the chamber is involved in, including the annual Business Expo at Big Walnut High School in April; the Farmer’s Market on the Square from mid-May to mid-October; Independence Day; membership breakfasts with community leaders; new member ribbon cuttings; and last, but not least, Christmas on the Square, being held on Dec. 1.
Erndt encouraged people to sign up for Christmas on the Square’s parade, featuring special guests from the North Pole, as well as the donut-eating contest that follows.
According to its website, the organization is devoted to “Proudly serving the Villages of Galena and Sunbury, Berkshire, Genoa, Harlem, Kingston, Porter & Trenton Townships.”
The chamber office is located at 39 E. Granville St. on the historic Sunbury Square. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.