When the Cranberry Area and Northern Allegheny chambers of commerce merged in December 2009, little did organizers of THE CHAMBER of Commerce know they would be hailed as one of the fastest growing businesses in the Pittsburgh area just a few years later.

Susan Balla, executive director of THE CHAMBER, recalls that the business corridor between southern Butler and northern Allegheny counties was merging, and the separate chambers found themselves repeating programs and competing for members.

She said the merger decision was a bold one in such a busy area.

“There was trepidation by some people, but we had to prove them wrong, and we did,” Balla said.

THE CHAMBER was established on Jan. 1, 2010, and now it has more than 1,000 business owners and representatives. It covers 16 municipalities in Allegheny, Beaver and Butler counties.

Growth continues

According to a business publication, THE CHAMBER was tied for third with two other chambers, The Pittsburgh Airport Chamber of Commerce and the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce, for the top five in memberships in the Pittsburgh area.

The top two chambers in membership are the Greater Pittsburgh Area Chamber of Commerce with 2,000 members and the Washington County Chamber of Commerce with 1,051 members.

Membership ranges from sole proprietors to large corporations, nonprofits and individuals.

A Pittsburgh business publication recently announced THE CHAMBER had the highest growth, 5.3 percent, of new members among Pittsburgh-area chambers with more than 1,000 members.

“We are a growing organization,” Balla said, “and we hope to become one of the rising organizations to represent commerce in all of Western Pennsylvania, not just Pittsburgh.”

She said forming partnerships with other organizations that have similar missions, and carrying out programming and legislative activities with those partners, will further growth.

It opens doors

Mike Hall, co-owner of General Rental Center in Cranberry Township, said when that business was bought 14 years ago, he wanted to get involved in the community and get connections to help grow the business. That's why he joined the then-Cranberry chamber.

“It's opened doors and got us in touch with some of the bigger companies,” said Hall. “And, it helped us build our reputation.”

Through THE CHAMBER, Hall was asked to become a member of the Cranberry Alliance and has since become a member of THE CHAMBER's board of directors.

“It's opened a lot of doors that may not have been opened if I had to do this on my own,” Hall said.

Hall also was part of the merger of the Cranberry Area and the Northern Allegheny chambers.

Although he admitted he was “on the fence” about the merger, he is now 110 percent positive that it was the right move.

“We've got a great staff. They're very organized and work well together. It's a very strong and active chamber,” Hall said.

Jim Boltz, president and CEO of Minuteman Press in Cranberry, said THE CHAMBER understands the needs of small businesses like his and offers invaluable support.

“THE CHAMBER has benefited me more than any other organization I belong to,” Boltz said.

This group, explained Boltz, allowed him to meet a large number of business people in a short time, which provided valuable networking opportunities. He said associations with others in the group also allow members to get to know the people they do business with.

“When I need to buy something, I know who will best serve my needs,” Boltz said.

Boltz has attended and served as a panelist for Marcellus Shale natural gas forums hosted by THE CHAMBER, and attended several regular gatherings sponsored by the organization. All have helped him make business connections.

“No organization does it better,” Boltz said. “THE CHAMBER gets that small businesses need their support as well as businesses of all sizes.”

Annual events

Since the Cranberry/North Allegheny merger, THE CHAMBER has developed a number of events that benefit nonprofit organizations. Many have proven so successful that they now are held annually. They include a golf outing, the Food & Wine Classic, the Taste of Cranberry, the Neighborhood Business Expo, and the Holiday Benefit Dinner.

Balla said eight to 10 annual fundraising events are planned each year, and a chamber committee chooses a nonprofit organization to benefit from each event.

For example, the Food and Wine Classic in September will benefit the Butler County Humane Society.

Each chosen charitable organization is guaranteed to receive at least $500.

Lynette Vybiral, executive director of the humane society, said she was pleased to learn THE CHAMBER had chosen her organization as a beneficiary.

“We are very honored,” said Vybiral. “From what I understand, it's a very nice, well-attended and prestigious event.”

Vybiral said her organization uses funds to feed and care for the pets it houses and to maintain the facility on Evans City Road.

“(Being chosen as the beneficiary) says THE CHAMBER really has their finger on the pulse of the community,” Vybiral said. “They understand the importance of what we do.”

She also appreciated being invited by THE CHAMBER to the Four Pillars Luncheon in July that precedes Community Days in Cranberry, which she said provided a great networking opportunity.

Vybiral also took advantage of a nonprofit conference organized by THE CHAMBER in April. It had several panels on running a successful nonprofit organization, speakers and vendors.

“It was a great seminar, with great networking,” Vybiral said.

Special programs

Balla said chamber programs of which she is proud are the Women in Business University, the Veterans' Task Force and the scholarship program.

n The Women in Business University is a yearlong course offered for females who have owned their business for two to five years.

n The Veterans' Task Force offers unemployed or underemployed vets “transitioning forward” seminars on a quarterly basis. The seminars help translate military skills into civilian skills, and include training in resume writing and interviewing skills.

The veterans are introduced to business owners who are interested in hiring veterans.

Balla said, “(The veteran) unemployment rate is double the national rate, and it's a population that has given us their service. We want to give back to them in return.”

n Regarding the scholarship program, Balla said THE CHAMBER gives away $3,500 to high school students each year.

Students complete an essay and an application. A chamber committee chooses winners based on grade point average, activities in and outside of school, and community service.

Another program being developed is the Institute for Profession Development, which will be launched in the fall.

It will be geared for employees, particularly those who are in sales.

Participants will learn networking, personal marketing plans, public speaking skills, and ways to clinch a sale, Balla said.

For the first time, THE CHAMBER will produce an annual report this year as well as a strategic plan.

“It will show the community how professional and strong the organization is and what the organization can do for the community and the business community,” Balla said.

She said THE CHAMBER is focusing more on legislative activities and the energy industry as the natural gas extraction business continues in the area.

Jerry Andree, Cranberry Township manager, said the township had a good relationship with the Cranberry chamber, and he recalls much talk in 2009 when the merger to form the current chamber was being planned. But Andree and other township officials understood that it made sense to merge the chambers because business areas are blurred between southern Butler and northern Allegheny counties.

“It just took us some time to get accustomed to that new footprint,” Andree said of the new area covered by the merged groups.

He said the success that resulted from the hard work of chamber personnel proves that the merger was a great idea.

“They are doing wonderfully,” Andree said. “They're booming.”

He said the relationship between the township and THE CHAMBER is good.

“We've always enjoyed working with them,” Andree said, “and we wish them continued success in the future.”