We are honored to present to you the new Barberton-South Summit Community Guide. The past few years have been both challenging and rewarding. A number of events have led to the Chamber being better positioned to effectively serve you-its members.

It’s no accident that you’ve found the South Summit community in Ohio this decade. Thanks to efforts by leaders working to support our various municipalities-Barberton, Norton, Clinton, Franklin Township, Doylestown, Chippewa Township and Coventry-this portion of Northeast Ohio has enjoyed a steady population growth, relocation interest from business and industry, a thriving school system and reliable healthcare.

Credit the Barberton-South Summit Chamber of Commerce for this particular success. Most chambers serve a specific city; this Chamber uniquely represents seven communities. We all know that industrialized communities and rural communities present different challenges, but by combining villages, townships and cities under one umbrella, we can offer a larger recruitment base and a varied commercial base. Addressing the needs of these partners is our on-going challenge.

The City of Barberton was originally established as the center spoke in the surrounding chamber wheel. As surrounding areas joined this effort, the Chamber grew in strength that saw us through the normal business ups and downs. Today the partner communities are seeing steady growth that we anticipate will encourage townships and villages to develop into cities. Already the Green Chamber of Commerce has become a reality in 2001.

But as always, our goal remains to serve the entire area of our charge and help to develop commerce with every tool at our command. After all, as our partners grow, so grows the strength of our South Summit community.

We recognize the Barberton-South Summit community as a vibrant, growing area, offering its residents the best of both world—small town atmosphere with big city advantages and easy access to major metropolitan areas. Anchored by the city’s crown jewel, Barberton’s Lake Anna, each year our community plays host to a number of festivals, concerts and community celebrations.

Over the past few years, as it relates to business, our community has progressed from an available supply of workers, buildings and ready-to-go sites, to a tight supply. Your Chamber responded with strategic planning, revised mission statement, new goals, partnering with other economic development organizations, improved products and networking opportunities. In short, the Barberton-South Summit Chamber of Commerce took action to more effectively meet the needs of its members and is here to support your business.

Thank you to our members who have demonstrated their continued support throughout the nearly 100 years of this Chamber and a sincere welcome to our new members. We encourage you to get involved in the variety of programs available through YOUR Chamber of Commerce. We hope as you read through this publication, you will be as proud of our community as we are.

Lisa Doyle
President
Board of Directors

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