Mon Yough chamber moves to McKeesport
The organization hopes to promote redevelopment in the downtown area.
The Mon Yough Area Chamber of Commerce has moved to a new location. The organization, previously located near the Olympia Shopping Center in Versailles, is now in City Hall in downtown McKeesport.
“The board agreed that it was a good time to make the move; we want to demonstrate our commitment to the community and the Valley,” said chamber Director Robert Johnson.
With its small business assistance efforts, Johnson hopes the chamber’s presence will help promote downtown redevelopment.
The business membership organization has been making strides to work on multiple areas of the community. The chamber represents 30 communities along the Monongahela River, from West Homestead to Elizabeth.
This year has already been off to a successful start. In April, the chamber hosted its annual legislative luncheon, where 140 municipal representatives, school officials and business leaders met to discuss topics such as legislative priorities, transportation, housing and the state budget.
Johnson said they have many visions for the future, and are planning their next steps to bring these ideas to fruition. Manufacturing initiatives are a focus, bringing education opportunities to boost workforce entries, support current manufacturing establishments and draw more institutions into the area to create career connections.
Another priority is the Mon Valley Launch-Box, a program the chamber would like to continue to foster. It is a collaborative effort involving Penn State Greater Allegheny, Invent Penn State and the City of McKeesport to engage with the community, entrepreneurs and students to stimulate the economic development and quality of life in the Mon Valley.
The organization has gathered new members whose abilities make new programs possible. One of the programs in the works would allow nonprofit and profit members to be offered a grant writing service to increase their chances of obtaining funding for their respective organizations or businesses.
Several events are planned for the fall, including the chamber’s annual golf outing, which is set for Sept. 16 at Butler’s Golf Course.
The golf fundraiser has been held for the past two decades. It starts at 8 a.m. with a continental breakfast and ends with a reception.
On Oct. 5, the 13th Tour De Mon bike ride will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ride will start at the Historic Pump House at the Waterfront. The Red Lantern Bicycles organization will be present to fix bicycles and give riding lessons, both free of charge.
“We really want to see families come down and join us,” Johnson said. “We’ve reached out to the schools in the areas, and we encourage even older children who know how to ride to come teach as well.”
Johnson emphasized the importance of connecting with residents of the Mon Valley communities. He reminded them that the chamber is always open to communication and wants to support the organizations and businesses that help the communities flourish.
MYAC posts updates and announcements on its Facebook page and can be reached by emailing director@monyoughchamber.com. Registrations for the upcoming events can be found at monyoughchamber.com.
Nya O’Neal is a summer intern at the Mon Valley Independent through Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Media Partnership. She is a rising junior at Howard University in Washington, D.C., from McKeesport.
