WEST CHESTER TWP. — It's 26 years old and still growing.

        The Southeastern Butler County Chamber of Commerce began in 1976 with a dozen members of the Pisgah Businessmen's Association. But now it has grown to 650 members, and its February luncheon sold out by drawing nearly 200 people.

ANNUAL DINNER

The Southeastern Butler County Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner and awards gala March 8 will feature keynote speaker U.S. Rep. John Boehner.     Winners of six awards for various community contributions also will be announced.     The cost is $60 per person; deadline for reservations is March 1. Call: 777-3600.

        The chamber has worked with businesses and government leaders and launched initiatives to attract members. Located in Olde West Chester, the chamber represents business and civil interests of two of Ohio's fastest-growing townships: West Chester and Liberty.

        About 70 percent of the members are small-business owners with six or fewer employees.

        Joe Hinson, chamber president and chief executive officer, credited the community and the chamber's four full-time staff members, who all have corporate backgrounds.

        About 20 percent of the chamber's members participate in at least one of the organization's 14 committees.

        “It's a collaborative effort,” Mr. Hinson said. “Every one of these people are leaders in their own right who wanted to come together to help the businesses grow in the area. We have the largest chamber membership-wise in Butler County.”

        In fast-growing suburbs, one thing that's sometimes missing is a sense of community. But in Butler, the chamber launched a leadership program three years ago aimed at preventing that national trend from taking root here.

        The program, SEBC Leadership 21, aims to get decision-makers talking to each other about goals and responsibilities of organizations that make the community tick, and improve the quality of leadership in the townships.

        The chamber also is participating in a revitalization effort for Pisgah, a 3-mile stretch along U.S. 42 that has stalled in recent years as the rest of the township booms.

        The chamber's biggest challenge this year, Mr. Hinson said, is continuing to expand its services to businesses as the area grows.

        “Businesses are excited about coming here,” Mr. Hinson said. “If we can help them grow and stay competitive, there's no need for them to leave.”

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