MANSFIELD — Cliff Mears thinks Richland County’s best days are ahead.
The county commissioner joined other community leaders on Tuesday to celebrate the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development’s 125th anniversary.
The chamber was founded in 1899 and moved into a home at 55 N. Mulberry St. in 1977.
Ellen Heinz, who joined the chamber as CEO in March, thanked her staff and Richland County businesses at the celebration.
“We’re so happy to have everyone here — not because this is our building, but it’s the community’s building,” she said. “It really represents so much of our legacy, the businesses and the efforts that have long sustained our community and are moving us forward.”
Heinz said the chamber staff is working on its strategic plan for economic development initiatives including supporting business operations and expansions, sustainability projects and drafting additional plans.
“It’s an outstanding effort to build and extend partnership in the community,” Heinz said. “We have an outstanding staff —they are second to none.
“We’re just grateful and excited to love our businesses and support our community each and every day.”
The Chamber’s team has recently won awards including:
- an Ohio Economic Development Association Economic Development Association (OEDA) Excellence in Economic Development Marketing award for its work with BrandRichland, produced in collaboration with county and city government, Destination Mansfield and DRM Productions.
- One of three finalists for an Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Chamber of the Year award.
- An Ohio Economic Development Association 2023 Excellence in Marketing & Communications Award for its work with Richland Works.
The Chamber supports economic development throughout Richland County with more than 1,100 chamber members.
The Mansfield-Richland Area Educational Foundation and Richland Community Development Group are also housed within the Chamber, and North Central Ohio SCORE operates on the building’s top floor.
The Chamber also supports programs like Leadership Unlimited, Engage Richland and student career exploration initiatives.
More information about the Chamber and its work is online at richlandareachamber.com.