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Chamber touts new name, marketing effort [St. Joseph News-Press (MO)](St. Joseph News-Press (MO) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) The name change didn't steal the show at the 94th annual chamber banquet Saturday evening. Nearly 850 people flocked to Civic Arena, which was decorated to look like a 1920s speakeasy. A password was asked for at the door and many of the guests wore era-appropriate attire. The local business organization announced Thursday it was changing its name and logo to the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. However, the banquet focused on how much progress the business community made in 2013. Patt Lilly returned to the chamber as president and chief executive officer, replacing Ted Allison. Steve Hamilton served as interim president and CEO during the search and officially retired in June. The chamber not only launched its new name and logo but unveiled its official economic development partnership brand. This arm of the chamber, led by vice president Brad Lau, has begun a campaign to market St. Joseph in the Kansas City market. The St. Joseph economy saw many companies grow and invest this past year. Triumph Foods added 105 employees and invested $7 million; Silgan Containers invested $5 million into its facility; and Varco Pruden added 30 new jobs and a $3.5 million investment. At Johnson Controls, a new battery project has added $10 million in new technology. The company's research and development division created a new battery that now is being produced at the St. Joseph facility. The Eastowne Business Park continues to grow. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. joined the expansion with a new 250,000- square-foot distribution facility while the FedEx distribution facility still is under way and expected to open in the early spring. The banquet also was a time to celebrate outgoing leaders and those who will lead the chamber into a new year. Dr. Mark Laney is the 2014 chairman of the board. Dr. Laney, president and chief executive officer at Heartland Health, presented outgoing chairman Vern Middleton with a distinguished award for his service. The new chairman didn't hold back from sharing his excitement for the community. "We love St. Joe," he said. "So we are focused on the growth of St. Joe. We want it to be a successful and growing community." (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |