Moriah Chamber being revived

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HOW TO JOIN

Anyone interested in joining the Moriah Chamber of Commerce can go online at porthenrymoriah.com or email mcedge2011@hotmail.com.

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February 11, 2012

Anonymous Press-Republican The Press Republican Sat Feb 11, 2012, 02:28 AM EST

MORIAH — By LOHR McKINSTRY

After years of stagnation and declining membership, the Moriah Chamber of Commerce has been reborn.

The chairman of the Moriah Economic Development Group, Timothy Garrison, is now directing the Chamber of Commerce, with help from Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Matt Courtright.

The Moriah Chamber had dwindled to a handful of members, Garrison said, and its two premiere events were shrinking from lack of funding and member participation.

'WAVE OF EXCITEMENT'

The chamber sponsors the annual Port Henry Labor Day Parade and Celebration, along with Champ Day, held in August each year to recognize the community's history as the home of the Lake Champlain monster, Champ.

They hope to rebuild those events into the crowd attractions they were in the past, Garrison said.

"We are building a new wave of excitement in the community. We're cranking it up a few notches in 2012."

WORKING TOGETHER

Now allied with the chamber are the Economic Development Group, known as EDGe, and pH7, begun by resident Linda Smythe.

"Each group has its place," Garrison said. "EDGe is working to develop economic opportunities; pH7 will concentrate on activities in the village (of Port Henry); and the chamber will work with local businesses. We can do more if we work together."

Last year, the Economic Development Group and pH7 joined forces to create Moriahstock, a day-long concert event at the Port Henry bandstand.

Moriahstock will return this year, Garrison said, and they hope to make it bigger and better.

FREE MEMBERSHIP

Right now, the chamber is conducting a membership drive, Garrison said, but it won't be charging for business memberships until the resurgence is further along.

"We are not taking any business membership money at this time. We are accepting them into the chamber without charge because we need their information to put on our new website. This will enable us to promote them and help us keep a record of who is who.

"In March, I will have a plan in place for working with TACC (Ticonderoga Chamber).

"The more members we can get, the more successful we will be."

Garrison said he's opening up the chamber to everyone, not just businesses. Individual memberships in the Moriah Chamber are $20, and family memberships are $30.

NEXT MEETING

The next Moriah Chamber of Commerce meeting is at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, in the new Moriah Town Courthouse on Park Place.

"I want to shore up our committees and have each committee set goals for the year," Garrison said.

"Then, at each meeting, each committee will give a brief update on how their progress is going. This way, we will all be on the same page and we can all offer our input to assist each other."

One new committee will be Waterfront Usage and Development, with Garrison and Moriah Town Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava the only members so far, but more are sought.

THE BIG PICTURE

"Moriah wants to be part of a regional approach to tourism, marketing and economic development," Garrison said. "It takes hard work, support and commitment to our community."

Jack Woods will remain president of the Moriah Chamber, Garrison said.

"We never want to lose Jack, but we want to give him some help. Jack has done tremendous work for the community for many years."

In recent years, the chamber didn't have much community support, but it will now, Garrison said.

Email Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com