Would you like to grow your business and invest in your own professional and personal growth? If so, please check out the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation. Our office is located at 137 South St. in Lehighton. Visit our new website as well at

www.carboncountychamber.org.The organization is a unique "One Stop Shop" for business needs and support. As a chamber, we serve members by offering networking opportunities while highlighting local businesses. Our signature events are fun and inspiring and include the annual golf tournament and annual dinner celebration honoring volunteers and business. Our administrative luncheon celebration honors dedicated professionals, and let's not forget the first Carbon Adventure Race hosted by our newly formed Carbon Young Professionals Council.CCEDC is your voice in government. We address issues of concern to your business on the local, state and federal levels. We take proactive measures to ensure that government considers business objectives and viewpoints. We'll keep you informed of relevant issues through our newsletters and committee and council meetings.The economic development side of the organization concentrates on three main areas: 1. Assisting existing businesses in Carbon County with access to low-interest loans; 2. Attracting businesses from outside Carbon County to move, expand or relocate to any of our existing, new or future industrial parks; and 3. To support the development of new business by developing a culture of entrepreneurship where if someone wants to start a business in Carbon County they have access to resources that can help them.We believe that each of our members make a difference by contributing his or her talent, expertise and time, which makes the CCEDC and our community strong. Active involvement with our chamber will greatly benefit both you and your fellow members on so many levels. Our tagline, "Strength in Numbers" speaks to the fact that we can learn so much from one another and accomplish so many incredible things together.Committees include: Women in Business, Leadership Carbon, Tourism and Accommodations, Young Professionals, Ambassadors/Events, and Business/Education.Please take some time to explore our website, attend a future event or stop by our office. You will discover that CCEDC offers numerous, valuable benefits from networking and training to business support and small-business loans to discount programs and advertising opportunities. Thanks to a strong partnership, the investment of a CCEDC membership also entitles businesses to expand customer reach and benefits by automatic membership in The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and full access to everything that they have to offer.The CCEDC's main focus is to support business growth and success as we build a stronger community.CCEDC will be sharing best business practices, opportunities and much more in our future columns. As a grass-roots, bottom-up organization, we want to hear from you. Be an active member and please get involved. Together we can make Carbon County a prosperous place to live, work and play.