Syracuse Industrial Park Progress Continues
Syracuse Town Manager Henry DeJulia spoke at the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce’s regular board meeting June 5 about several projects occurring in Syracuse. He noted the industrial park’s water and sewer were all hooked up, while gas and electric still need to be complete. Roads in the industrial park also need to be grated before asphalt can be laid.
Beautification work has been completed on the south Syracuse sign. Additionally, the town, in conjunction with Wawasee High School, will be placing more decorative lights. WHS will be placing 10 along the sidewalk leading up to the school while the town will be placing theirs in business areas.
DeJulia noted that throughout the summer they will also be working on sidewalk repair and road work. A new walking bridge is also in the works, and it will go across Harkless Drive between Pickwick and Palm drives. DeJulia stated they had received a grant from K-21 to complete the project.
Chip Erwin gave his ambassador program report, stating he has visited 26 members and nonmembers to share what the chamber is doing and has planned. So far, Erwin stated he has been receiving a lot of good feedback.
Additional good feedback was received in regards to the chamber business directory, several of which are located at area businesses. Executive Director Tammy Cotton stated she is down to three boxes of directories and plans to take some to chamber members in the Milford area soon.
A new record was reached by the chamber’s annual golf outing with 28 teams signed up to participate. Board member and golf outing committee chair Larry Biller noted they still need more goody bag and raffle items, plus volunteers for setting up and tearing down. The golf outing will occur June 19; more information will follow at a later date.
Cotton and former chamber president, Kathy Boyts, attended the Artland Economic Development Seminar, May 8, in Delphi. Cotton stated she received many ideas about bringing art into the community, including the use of pop-up galleries that would be set up in empty buildings in town for a day or evening by working with area realtors. Besides bringing in art, the galleries allow realtors to showcase the empty buildings to potential buyers.
While the chamber is not be participating in the Fall Harvest Festival, the events task force is helping coordinate efforts and is still looking for someone to work on the ham and bean soup as well as sponsor a petting farm. The events task force has also started making plans for Holiday Magic with the chamber set to provide cookies and cocoa.
In other chamber news:
• Board members approved a new member, Protech’s Inc. of Fort Wayne.
• Finance committee members will look into the possibility of providing Cotton with a cellphone allowance.
• Board members approved the purchase of additional RAM for Cotton’s computer.
Next board meeting will be at noon July 10 in the chamber office, due to the Fourth of July holiday.