NEW WILMINGTON, PA. Expo serves as showcase for businesses

The New Wilmington Chamber of Commerce has 110 members.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- There were no great problems that spurred the creation of the New Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, just a simple conversation between neighbors and a lot of persistence.
"There was no problem or agenda for what we were doing. It was just that there are a lot of businesses in this community and a lot of resources. Some of it is being used and some of it isn't," said Tim Kelly, one of the founders and chamber president.
Kelly, who owns Olde Country Feed & amp; Hardware in Wilmington Township, and neighbor Bill Kingerly, who owns a number of restaurants, including the Springfield (Grill) Group, which has restaurants in Boardman and Mercer, were talking three years ago and the idea of forming a chamber of commerce came up.
"Off of that conversation, we did some checking around and talked to people. They all said we need something. We'd like to have something," Kelly said.
After much talk among business people in the area, the New Wilmington Chamber of Commerce officially formed. There are now about 110 members, he said.
What's ahead
The group is getting ready to launch its second annual business expo next month to highlight what it has to offer.
More than 90 businesses will be part of the expo set for March 13 in the Westminster College Fieldhouse. That's nearly double the number of exhibitors in last year's show that was held at Wilmington High School, said Betty Jones, one of the expo organizers.
Jones, marketing director for Shenango on the Green, a continuing-care retirement community, said she was happy to see the chamber form to let people know what the community businesses offer.
"I sell New Wilmington every day of the week when I'm talking to people about moving here," she said. "New Wilmington abounds with opportunities and the businesses are much larger than people think."
Kelly said there are 150 businesses in New Wilmington and the nearby townships, not counting home-based ventures.
But none had organized in a concerted effort to market the community as a whole. Kelly said in addition to the businesses, there are other resources to bring people into the community.
"We have assets and resources in New Wilmington that are nowhere else. We have Westminster College, the country setting and the Amish. We can just keep adding things to the list," he said.
One of a kind
There are also a number of unique ventures. Anne Bruening started drying flowers and creating arrangements in her barn about 15 years ago. It's now become Anne Bruening Originals Enchanting Dried Florals and Designs on Pa. Route 208.
Much of her business came through word of mouth, and she had customers from as far away as Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
Being part of the chamber has given Bruening a new outlet to let people know about her business.
"Pulling together for your town and pulling together to work to have businesses come into town is good," she said. Bruening said it encourages the chamber members to refer customers to other businesses.
In addition to the expo, the chamber has also started a yearly arts and heritage festival. This year it will be Aug. 6, 7 and 8 and is in conjunction with Westminster College and the Hoyt Art Institute in New Castle.
cioffi@vindy.com