About the Chamber

Any chamber is only as strong as its membership and with 170 members, the Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce continues to be the community's best business advocate.

Formerly know as the Businessmen's Association in years prior to 1943, the chamber was not incorporated until 1958, making it a non-profit organization.

The Chamber works on an annual budget of approximately $32,000 and is financially sound due in part to several on-going fundraising efforts.

Director, Teresa Cypher, who has been with the Chamber for 12 years, works part-time and is the only employee of the Chamber.

Officers include: Tim Bartman, of Bartman, Inc., President; Tom Graney, First Federal Savings Bank, Vice President; and Sandy Davis, Davis Travel Agency, Treasurer.

The organization is run by a board of directors elected from its membership. Members of the board then set policies and procedures for the Chamber.

The Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors include Bartman, Ken Cole, Mayor of Monongahela, Jack Cypher, Pennsylvania American Water Co.; Davis; Grainey; Sharla Golashewski, Charleroi Federal Savings Bank; Chris Grilli, Grilli's Photography; Ann Hostovich, Ann's Tax and Accounting; Joan Kilpatrick, community advocate; Gary Lenzi, Carroll Twp. Representative; Chief Dennis Mendicino, Monongahela Police Dept.; Karen Quinto, National City Bank; Edward Shanahan, Monongahela Area Library; and Linda Hall, New Eagle representative.

Membership dues are paid annually, and vary according to the number of full-time employees at a business. Chamber meetings are open to all dues-paying members.

The Chamber provides many services to its membership. Chamber members are eligible to enroll in health care plans designed for small businesses. Many types of coverage are available through the Chamber of Commerce Service Corp. The Chamber can also provide information and contacts for many purposes. If you have a consumer affair question, need a calendar of events, or mailing list, they can assist you. The Chamber also provides a monthly newsletter with the latest local information, projects and upcoming events.

Many community and service projects are provided through the Chamber. The Easter Egg Hunt, Fleatique on the Mon, Forth of July, Kennywood Picnic, Concerts in the Part Series, Halloween Parade, and Dickens of a Christmas.

Many residents are anxiously awaiting the very successful "Fleatique on the Mon", a 3-mile community-wide flea market/antique/craft sale, extending along Main Street, into the Aquatorium parking lot and Chess Park which will take place on Saturday June 2. The Chamber's latest addition to the calendar of events is the "Dickens of a Christmas", slated for November 30 and December 1. This two-day Victorian celebration of a Christmas, lighting of the yuletide tree in the Gazebo and participating shoppe owners dressed in their Victorian finest! New this year, will be the addition of a "Grand Victorian Promenade" which will feature residents dressed Victorian costume strolling into Chess Park on Friday evening along luminaria lit sidewalks and promenading around the Gazebo!

There are many ways to become involved with the Chamber. The Neighborhood Boys Club of Monongahela works closely with the Chamber installing and removing Christmas decorations along Main Street, members of the Ringgold High School Interact Club, under the direction of Mr. Frank Carson, are always there to lend a helping hand, as well as the art students at Ringgold, under the direction of Jocelyn Robinson, during the Halloween season when they paint store front windows along Main Street.

The Monongahela Rotary Club has worked hand in hand with the Chamber on many community projects over the years: The community bulletin board at PNC plaza, the landscaped medial area at East Main Street, the town clock at the front of City Hall, and most recently, the Rotary Club donated $2,500.00 toward the new snowflake Christmas decorations which made their debut appearance this Christmas season. Thirty-six 5-foot silhouette snowflakes and four Dickens style lighted Christmas characters were purchased at a cost of $10,000.00. All monies used for this project came from hard work, fundraising efforts and membership dues. The Chamber has also worked with the Aquatorium Commission, the Monongahela Historical Society and the Monongahela Area Library.

A new state of the art sound system was also installed this year at the Gazebo in Chess Park. Total cost for this system was $2,500.00. It includes permanently mounted speakers, and a self-contained weatherproof case containing an amplifier, compact disc player, tape deck, and microphone. In memory of her later husband, Rudy, Mrs. Elizabeth Polaski, made a donation to this much-needed project.

The success of the Chamber Awareness Campaign, which was started in 1997, is still evident today. All Chamber members receive a bright gold sign stating they are proud to be Chamber member and involved with the community. In addition, all members receive a permanent membership plaque to display in their place of business.

Many businesses from the Monongahela area have been honored with the "Fifty Year Award". This program, which began in 1997, recognizes businesses that have been in operation for 50 or more years. Currently, 14 businesses have been recognized with this prestigious award.

The Chamber also makes monetary donations and pays dues to the following organizations: Mon Valley Progress Council, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, Monongahela Rotary Club, Monongahela Area Revitalization Corp., Monongahela Area Historical Society, American Red Cross, Junior Achievement of Pennsylvania, local fire departments and local organizations.

The Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce continues to work with the business community; its many unique groups and organizations to further develop and enhance our beautiful town.

To become involved with the Chamber call 724-258-5919 or stop at the office located at 173 West Main Street. The Chamber office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.