2023_Fall_ValpoMagazine

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NEW LOOK, NEW NAME, SAME MISSION | FREE ENTERPRISE CENTER New Look, New Name, Same Mission After 20 years, the chamber’s building has a new name and an updated look, but its function serving Valparaiso businesses is stronger than ever. By Sean Hay 4 FALL <strong>2023</strong> |
n a warm July day, Rex Richards, President of the Valpo Chamber, and his team greeted hundreds of members of the community gathered outside the offices of the Chamber for the building’s rededication ceremony. Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, visiting from Indianapolis, spoke of the strength of the Valparaiso business community while hundreds of business and community members toured the freshly renovated and newly renamed Free Enterprise Center. Valpo Velvet ice cream awaited attendees at the end of their tour through the updated facility. 85% of our members are small businesses, so this name Free Enterprise Center really personifies who we represent... — Rex Richards The “Free Enterprise Center” “We decided to come up with the name Free Enterprise Center because a lot of people do not understand that the Chamber is not a government entity. We are a 501(c)(6) not for profit organization, but predominantly we're a trade association for businesses,” said Richards. Richards notes that the new name for the building, previously the Valparaiso Commerce Center, is a better fit for the Chamber’s vision to serve the needs of the business community. “85% of our members are small businesses, so this name Free Enterprise Center really personifies who we represent, as the American free enterprise system is one of the main tenets of the United States’ system of commerce.” The Chamber purchased the building in 2002 from the Valparaiso lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, remodeling the ground floor space into the open concept office space that visitors have become accustomed to over the years. The first renovation served the organization well for 20 years. But as the chamber completed its final mortgage payment in 2022, it created an opportunity for the organization to invest in the future in the building they intend to call home for a long time. An Office Layout That’s Better for Business Looking beyond the fresh paint on the walls, the primary change that visitors to the updated Chamber offices will notice is the elimination of the three open office >> | ValpoChamber.org 5
Page 1 and 2: FALL 2023 VOL. 23 ISSUE 4 New Look,
Page 3: FALL 2023 COVER PAGE 4 PAGE 4 New L
Page 7 and 8: Excellence in Orthopedic Care Choos
Page 9 and 10: smiles begin! Where beautiful Where
Page 11 and 12: lparaiso By Haleigh Vander Vinne gr
Page 13 and 14: TH 8X WINNER Anniversary Celebratio
Page 15 and 16: HEART AND SOUL OF VALPARAISO | CHAM
Page 17 and 18: Now, more than than ever... experie
Page 19 and 20: 1973-1978 Jack Shaffer served as Ex
Page 21 and 22: CHAMBER NETWORK NIGHT 2023 >> THURS
Page 23 and 24: Taking Care of Business. Business C
Page 25 and 26: Presenting Sponsors: Aldi 2352 Mort
Page 27: CALL/TEXT: 219-462-4655 *IN-OFFICE
Page 30 and 31: MEMBER INVESTOR ANNIVERSARIES ANNIV
Page 32 and 33: 32 FALL 2023 |
Page 34 and 35: NEW MEMBER INVESTORS MEMBERS >> NEW
Page 36 and 37: WE MAJOR IN SucceSSful CAREERS. Our
Page 38 and 39: AROUND TOWN >> AROUND Town is an im
Page 40 and 41: IN STOCK CABINETS GEORGETOWN WHITE
Page 42 and 43: VALPO VIEWFINDER VIEWFINDER >> VALP
Page 44 and 45: EXCELLENT HEALTHCARE. CONVENIENT LO
Page 46 and 47: FINAL THOUGHT THOUGHT >> >> FINAL A
Page 48: Make an Appointment to face the fut

2023_Fall_ValpoMagazine

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