The Central Chamber Report: P.I.N.G!

    This past week was a tremendously eventful week for the Central Chamber! When you “ping” something, you have used sonar to discover the location of something or struck something to make a high pitched sound. We discovered a lot this past week and made a lot of sound in Central!  I use PING to describe what all your Central Chamber was up to last week.
    P stands for promote.  On Saturday we promoted Health and Safety in our community at our first ever held Community Health and Safety Expo! From 8am – 12pm people of our community came by the Central Intermediate Cafeteria to discover how they could improve their health and remain safe!  Attendees received information from a variety of our local health and safety providers.  Thanks to the following participants: BREC, Central Chiropractic, Central Fire Department, Central Physical Therapy, Central Police, EBRP Clerk of Court, Health and Counseling Center, Lake After Hours, Lions Club of Central, Louisiana State Police, Moreau Physical Therapy, North Point Spa, Nourishing Practices, Ochsner Health Systems, Parker Orthodontics and Pennington Biomedical. 
    I stands for inform.  One of the most important privileges we have in this country is the ability to vote.  With the upcoming Louisiana State elections this year and the Presidential election in 2016, it is important that the voters in Central be informed. The Central Chamber, along with the Rock it Right Radio program, provided an opportunity to discover information.  On Tuesday, August 25th, we had the privilege to host Mrs. Janet Huckabee (pictured), wife of Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee, at Mike Anderson’s for a noon luncheon.  This was a fabulous chance to hear some of what Huckabee’s agenda will be if elected president.
    N stands for network.  Ping can be to query (another computer on a network) to determine whether there is a connection to it.  Social media has really helped to network/connect people and businesses together.  However, research still shows that people prefer to have face to face contact with those they might want to do business.  Several organizations exist to help business network together but by far the best bang for your buck is through the Central Chamber of Commerce.  On the 4th Wednesday of the month, the Central Chamber host LEADS for lunch which allows business owners to discover how they might help each other build and promote their businesses.
    G stand for groundbreaking.  This past Friday the groundbreaking for a long awaited project took place.  Central Physical Therapy broke ground at the site where their new building is going to be located.  Now there are such things as “ground breaking discoveries” but what was discovered at his event was the determination, cooperation and reputation of a group of business owners that just refused to give up on a dream!  Congratulations to Helen, Tom, Eric, Richard and all the staff at CPT for this tremendous milestone!
    Over the next few months we are going to continue to ping – make a lot of noise!  Beauty Pageant, Golf Tournament,
Luncheon, LEADS, 4 wheeler give away, Shop Small Business Saturday, Elf Run 5k, Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Christmas Parade will all be brought to you by your Central Chamber.  Check the paper, social media or the website for details or call the Chamber at 261-5818.