The Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation had a busy 2015 and is expecting and even busier 2016.

Kathy Henderson, director of economic development for CCEDC, and Marlyn Kissner, executive director for the chamber, outlined the 2015 annual report recently."We're excited at the chamber," Henderson said. "We're looking at 2016 as being a really, really good year for the chamber and Carbon County."The pair highlighted a number of things, including a new CCEDC satellite office coming to the Mauch Chunk Trust Company's Albrightsville site, possibly having the first Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority loan approved in the state since the program began last year and a significant increase in the number of events that bring together businesses throughout Carbon County and the greater Lehigh Valley.DevelopmentOn the economic development side, Henderson highlighted several initiatives started last year that aim to attract business to the area, including various low-interest loan programs available through CCEDC; a partnership with Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties to create the Pocono Mountains Economic Development Magazine; the creation of the Carbon County Manufacturer's Advisory Board and a grant from PennEast pipeline that allowed the corporation to start an Educator in the Workforce camp, which aims to immerse teachers in various types of business and then take what they learned back into their classrooms to create a curriculum that prepares students for the working world."One of our main problems, not just in Carbon County but across the state, is an educated workforce," Henderson said, "someone that comes out of school or college who is employable."She noted that these initiatives bring new and well-established businesses to the table for various reasons and helps engage them in the communities they serve by providing networking opportunities, showcasing them in the magazine and working together to build an employable future generation.In addition, CCEDC held its annual Guppy Tank, whichmimics the popular show "Shark Tank," and aims to help people with business ideas reach their dream. This year, three startup businesses pitched their ideas to potential investors who can decide to provide loans or other funding sources.CCEDC also partnered with Monroe, Pike and Wayne to host a luncheon in Harrisburg as part of the NRA's Great American Outdoors show earlier this month. The goal was to show outdoors enthusiasts what the county has to offer.Business operationsIn addition to various initiatives to help Carbon County businesses, Henderson said a number of outside companies have expressed interest in investing in Carbon County.CCEDC recently rented out its Nesquehoning shell building to Alpha BioMed Sharps Compliance of Houston, Texas, which is proposing to expand its medical waste treatment operations in the northeast.The company recently receiving zoning approval for the warehouse and distribution areas of the building and is awaiting a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection permit for operation of a medical waste treatment facility on-site.Henderson said that once it is fully operational, Alpha Bio-Med will create approximately 50 jobs at the location.Several other companies are also looking to move their operations here, Henderson said, but she could not go into detail due to nondisclosure agreements."All I can say is if these projects come through, they will be major for Carbon County and will provide a lot of good jobs for our residents," she said.The chamberOn the chamber side, Kissner shared how the corporation has worked to create a network of over 250,000 people throughout Carbon and the greater Lehigh Valley."We are a one-stop shop to provide chamber memberships, business support, tourism and education," she said.Last year, the chamber held over 60 events, which included mixers, ribbon cuttings and business showcases, as well as the Find Your Fun campaign that the group hopes to trademark for the county."Some events had upward of 200 people attending," she said, adding that these included the chamber's annual golf tournament, administrative luncheon, Carbon Adventure Race and end of the year dinner.Because of events like the golf tournament, Kissner said membership has increased by about 15-20 percent."We're up to over 500 members in just Carbon County. That marries with the Lehigh Valley Chamber membership of over 5,000, which hits about 250,000 professionals," she said.Since the privatization of the chamber and economic development corporation, CCEDC has acted as an umbrella for many smaller subcommittees, who all work to meet the same goals of the chamber.Committees include:• Women in Business, which highlights women in the professional field.• The Ambassador Committee, a group of volunteers who act as an extension of the chamber by planning and promoting events.• Tourism and Accommodations promotes the entire county and all its happenings, as well as where to stay.• The Young Professionals Council seeks professionals new to the workforce and works to build networks, as well as partnerships with veteran professionals. Some things the council does is provide social media training, taught by the young professionals, to veteran companies who may not be aware of how social media can help promote their business.• Leadership Carbon. After a hiatus, this program is now partnered with Lehigh Carbon Community College. The goal is to make leaders in the workforce and will challenge these individuals to sit on various nonprofit organization boards.Two fundraising projects have also brought much attention to the chamber. These are the Carbonopoly game, which mimics Monopoly, and the coupon book with over $2,000 in savings.Upcoming eventsA number of events are also in the queue for this year.Kissner highlighted the need for expanding services to northern-tier communities in Carbon and announced that a new satellite office at Mauch Chunk Trust Company in Pinepoint Plaza will open either in April or May.The site will provide the chamber with the opportunity to meet with northern businesses and was made possible through the partnership with the bank.The Earth Day 5K Hippy Run will take place on April 23 and proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund and the nonprofit Turn To Us Inc.Last year, the run awarded over $1,200 in scholarships to seniors at the five Carbon County school districts and Carbon Career & Technical Institute, as well as money for the Lehighton Fire Company.Carbon County Restaurant Week will be the week of April 11.