Beech Tree News Network

The food was excellent and the contacts available to Chamber members were many as the Chamber met for its February luncheon on Thursday at the Butler County Extension Office. President James Runion thanked Country Fine Swine for the catered meal.

He also announced that the United Way is seeking drop-off boxes for its March canned food drive. “Food collected in Butler County stays in Butler County,” said Runion. United Way will partner with the local food pantry for distribution of the “Feed the Need.”

After pointing out that Morgantown and Butler County are members of the Bowling Green Area Chamber, Runion introduced the speaker for the day, Tonya Matthews, Vice President for Partnership Services for the Bowling Green Area Chamber.

“Chambers are evolving, business is changing and the economy is changing,” said Matthews.

“We ourselves are evolving as a chamber. Strong economic development and the regional partners we have has made a huge difference,” she continued.  Started about twenty years ago, the regional concept has caught on according to Matthews. “We are a living, breathing example of how communities can work together.”

The Bowling Green Area Chamber has over 1,100 partners of which 90 percent are small businesses along with 150-200 industries, according to Matthews. Other success stories for the Chamber include “The Leader in Me” and the “Work Ethic Seal Programs.”

Introductions included Robin Schroeder as the new Chamber secretary; Mark Lord, District Director for the office of Congressman Guthrie; Jason Hasert, Field Representative for Senator Rand Paul and Donald McGlothlin, Local Veterans Employment Specialist with BRADD.

Sponsors for this month were Bluegrass Oral Health Center, Morgantown Utilities, Embry and Watts, CPA’s, Smith Funeral Home, Beech Tree News and WLBQ 1570AM, Drake’s Farm Service, The Compassionate Friends, Green River Waste and Coleman Brothers Motors, Inc.