A sold-out crowd of nearly 500 business people attended the Metro South Chamber of Commerce 101st Annual Meeting & Expo on November 19, 2014 at the Conference Center at Massasoit in Brockton, sponsored by Crescent Credit Union, UMASS Donahue Institute, and Bridgewater State University. The event celebrated the conclusion of the Metro South Chamber’s 100th year of serving businesses and exceeding the goal of the Chamber’s Centennial Campaign Fund.
The celebration included an Expo featuring over 50 businesses, caricature drawings, strolling holiday carollers, valuable raffles and give-aways, and keynote speaker Ken Gronbach. The event also featured the presentation of numerous awards including the Charles A. Fuller Award to President of Bridgewater State University, Dr. Dana Mohler-Faria, and Board Service Awards to Loretta DeGrazia, East Coast Petroleum; Steve Hall, Control Point Technologies; and Patricia Williams, HarborOne Bank.
In addition, Economic Impact Awards were presented to 11 companies whose combined investment exceeded eighty-five million dollars and represents employment of 450 people.
Susan Joss, Executive Director of Brockton Neighborhood Health Center, was elected Chair of the Metro South Chamber, following William Morse of Mutual Bank who recently completed his term. Joss is the second woman to serve as the Chair in the history of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce.
Before passing the gavel to Susan Joss, Morse reflected on some of the many recent accomplishments of the Chamber over the past year. These achievements included hosting over 70 programs, celebrating more than 20 new businesses with Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies, commissioning a study through the UMass Donahue on the creation of a Regional Water Supply &?Treatment Authority as well as a study of the underutilized 32 acre Brockton CSX?Railyard, embarking on a regional branding campaign, hosting Brockton development tours, advocating for a water rate freeze and lower commercial tax rates, and more.
Morse went on to congratulate the Chamber on celebrating their 100th anniversary and talk about the Chamber’s Centennial Innovation Fund. The Chamber sought to raise $350,000 through the fund to renovate its headquarters and transform the Thomas Edison Power Station into an efficient and modern business hub. Peter Neville, Past Chair and President of Concord Foods made the big announcement that the Chamber exceeded their target and raised $354,000.
Joss, newly elected as Chamber Chair, demonstrated her enthusiasm and optimism for the future of the Metro South Chamber, looking forward to providing leadership during the completion of the Chamber building renovations, the completion of the water/sewer study, the expansion of the Metro South brand into the community, the political engagement of the new governor and administration, and more.
“I look forward to working with the business community to create opportunity and growth throughout this wonderful region and through this dynamic Chamber of Commerce because..’When Metro South is Home, Everything’s Within Reach’” stated Joss.