The Manchester Enterprise
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Chamber holds business expo
Event an opportunity to showcase new, old businesses in town
By Edward Freundl, Heritage Newspapers
PUBLISHED: April 5, 2007
The Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce rolled out the welcome mat not only for businesses that have decided to locate in the area.
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The event, held March 29 at the Manchester American Legion Hall, also was a way to thank those that chose to remain through some tough economic times that caused the exodus of many major employers.
"We basically set it up to welcome new businesses," said Jim Mann, a chamber member and chairman of the event.
He named Martinrea, Pierce Fasteners, Paradigm and Obertron Electronics Manufacturing as the new businesses targeted by the chamber event.
"We also invited places like Amcor, Pinnacle Engineering and Manchester Stamping to give credit to the businesses that stayed here and stuck with us," Mann said.
Banks, real estate agents, attorneys, financial advisers and florists were represented, and the American Legion, Kiwanis, the Chicken Broil Committee and Manchester Co-op Preschool rounded out the two dozen or so exhibitors.
"We have a real cross-section of the community represented here," Mann said. "We're not disappointed with the turnout because this is the first time we've done something like this."
Obertron owner and president Brad Oberleiter said he chose to relocate his electronics manufacturing firm from Milan to Sharon Township, and was glad to be invited to the expo.
"I haven't really had a chance to meet community leaders, and I felt this was a good opportunity to do that," he said.
After 21 years in business, there are currently 12 employees at his Milan operation, but he said he hopes to double in size.
To do that, Oberleiter is building a new facility on M-52 in Sharon Township north of Manchester, which should be open in about two months.
"I've lived here since 1991, and I wanted to be closer to home," Oberleiter said.
"I want to support the community, and I can do that best by having my business here. It's good to see where your support is going."
Mann, who is owner of Mann Real Estate, said the idea for the event developed from a conversation between himself and other real estate agents about ways to develop new clientele.
"It started out with some of the Realtors in town — we wanted to sell houses to these people," he said.
"We've had so much negative news for so many years, we just wanted to showcase what we have here."
Chamber of commerce member Jody Flowers, an Edward Jones investment representative with an office on Main Street in the village, said the display of community spirit was impressive.
"It's great to see such participation," he said. "To see how this town supports business development is impressive."
Chamber President Chris Fegan, owner of Village Gifts, said the goal was to let the employees of the new businesses understand the family-oriented atmosphere that can be found in Manchester.
"The main thing is to enhance the chamber's "work here-shop-here-play-here" motto," Fegan said. "We wanted to enlighten people about the various things we have to offer."
Kathy Roberts, community banking officer for United Bank & Trust, echoed Fegan's remarks.
"We wanted to let (the employees of new businesses) know there are community projects for them to be involved with," she said. "We're a community bank, so that's our goal."
Though the exposition was aimed at businesses, organizers thought the idea could translate well to the general public.
"All the feedback we're getting from this is good — this is going to have very, very positive side effects," said Village President and Manchester Chamber Vice President Pat Vailliencourt.
"We were thinking, 'Why don't we do this for the whole community next year?'"
Edward Freundl is a reporter for Heritage Newspapers. He can be reached at 428-8173 or efreundl@heritage.com.
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