UA News
The Power of Connection
Date: April 13, 2012
To the Editor,
The Upper Arlington Area Chamber of Commerce fosters trusting relationships that create and maintain an innovative approach to business growth. The Chamber understands and cares about the core strengths and values of our community. We work to connect people to business while facilitating job growth and economic investment that promotes a strong sense of community.
The Chamber promotes ideas for start-up's and provides mentoring, encouragement, and the tools that entrepreneurs need to do what they do best: innovate for start-up, expansion and retention. Our home grown enrichment programs provide the resources businesses need today for long term growth. Through our Advisory Program, members of the Chamber provide guidance and support as they guide entrepreneurs in strategies and in business management according to their expertise. Chamber members share their time and expertise in areas such as marketing, finance, strategic and legal planning.
Four years ago the Chamber began partnering with the Upper Arlington High School to help create an authentic learning experience for the students participating in the Entrepreneurial and Management class. The program continues to build as we include the IB Business management, Introduction to Business, Personal Finance, Integrated Computer Applications and IB Information Technology. We plan to provide opportunities for students to gain experience outside the classroom before going to college and future internships.
We are thrilled learn to learn the second class of the 10-xelerator program, or "10x" has begun its winter program at the Tree of Life. Their selection of the Arlington Centre Boulevard property demonstrates what and attractive site the property is for its planned and zoned use. Having an incubator such as TechColumbus right in our own backyard is a real asset. The Chamber understands that the dual power feeds provide the kind of power stability that technology companies seek in a location such as the old AOL property.
The Chamber partners with TechColumbus in providing our Ask the Expert series. Members serving as advisors to other Chamber members for start-up and expansion share their time and expertise on a monthly basis. The programs and initiatives created by Chamber have created an innovative foundation with a long term vision for business start-up, expansion and retention. We look forward to moving our entrepreneurial initiative forward as we partner with the City and the UACIC for the economic development future of Upper Arlington.
Becky Hajost
President
THE POWER OF CONNECTION
