Members provided news about their businesses:
• Canton Borough - Free Swim Days have been scheduled at the War Memorial Pool, two sponsored by the VFW and one by the Chamber. The Rt. 14, 414 project is proceeding well, When the base work is completed work will begin on the handicapped accessible crosswalks; after that the paving will begin. The Borough passed a revised LERTA Ordinance, limited to the Watson Diesel property on Troy Street.
• Sweet Tooth - will have a booth at the Apple & Cheese Festival. Planning has started for Small Business Saturday.
• Passion Life Wellness - the facility at Alba has been closed. The business presently is being conducted from Raychel Boggs' home until a permanent location can be found. Six-month Health Awareness Sessions and Corporate Wellness programs are being organized.
• Chemung Canal Trust - A change in hours will begin in August. The bank, including drive-up window, will be open from 8:30 to 5, Monday through Friday, and 9 to 12 Saturday.
• Bradford Co. Housing Authority - held a Family Field Day and will have a Youth Exercise Program.
• Oscar's - Special coupons may be found in the newspaper. A multi-family rummage sale will be held; the Troy Chamber of Commerce plans a walking/driving tour of the churches in Troy.
• First Citizens - Customer Appreciation Day was very successful. The bank has purchased the Bank of Fredericksburg in Lebanon, PA. The bank has seven branches.
• Dream Weavers - the business has joined forces with Moose's Enterprises and moved to Sylvania. Mary Ann Porter said the new business can offer more products, and still will do deliveries and pickups in Canton. Robbins' Rustic Roost will move across Troy Street and will occupy the building left vacant by Dream Weavers.
• Rialto Theatre - had "special, exciting news" - the Theatre will premiere Minions from July 10 through 22. Some special guests will be present.
• Canton Borough Authority - plans to begin the $10 million upgrade of the Sewage Treatment Plant within a few weeks. The new facility will enable the Authority to enlarge the plant's capacity and will meet anticipated Chesapeake Bay discharge requirements.
• IHS Pizza - Reports a good spring and a surprisingly good June. Dustin Harper said IHS was sad to lose "a good neighbor" (Dream Weavers), but was happy to see Robbins' Rustic Roost moving in.
The minutes of the June meeting and the Treasurer's report were approved.
Membership in the Chamber is ninety-five, which is the largest number ever.
A draft of the Chamber brochure was presented for review. This is largely the work of Breanna Allen of Landon's Car Wash and Mr. Schoonover. Members are being asked to make sure their information is accurate.
Robyn Chamberlain of Troy has been appointed as Executive Director of the Bradford County Tourism and Promotion Agency. Her office will be on the fourth floor of the Progress Building in Towanda. Mr. Schoonover is vice-president of the group. A logo is being developed.
Members were reminded that the 30 oz. pitcher, the third in a series of Chamber commemorative stoneware items, has been delivered and may be purchased at the Sentinel office or Stull's.
Members also were asked to promote the use of the Chamber Gift Certificates, which can be used "as good as cash" at almost every member business.
Attendance at the Wine and Cheese Festival is reported at 606. The very wet conditions and mud held attendance down, and some vendors chose not to come, but all those who did take part were happy with their sales.
The Block Dance also was a huge success, with several vendors, and many dancers and music fans enjoyed the evening immensely. Had the event been held a day earlier or a day later, it probably would have been rained out, but there was no rain on the night it was held.
Yard Sale Days also received good reports, even with the rainy weather.
The "Social Media Challenge" sponsored by BTG Solutions, encouraged members to share and post other members on Facebook, etc. Raychel Boggs "won hands down." Wine & Cheese Festival also was very active. The next challenge is for members to post a Facebook logo on the cash register, front door and website and offer a token of appreciation to customers who "like" your page."
The Chamber's executive committee met with Vicki Strock of A R.E.A.L. Solution. Ms. Strock is an expert in non-profit organiztions and handles the Chanber's tax returns. The taxes have been filed and there are no issues of concern.
The Chamber Car Show will be August 7. Vendors from last year will return and the event will be held at the Chemung Canal/Moose parking lot and the Chamber's Main Street Park, with overflow in the First Citizens lot or South Center Street. Cub Scout Pack 3 will hold a community/business Pinewood Derby at the event and are selling car kits as a fundraiser.
The Chamber's Free Swim Day at the Pool will be August 15, Members have been asked to come up with activities for the day.
The Farmers' Market is having a very good year. There have been some concerns over parking, which will be discussed with the vendors.
A thank you was received from the Wine & Cheese Festival for the Chamber's donations to the raffle basket. Winners were Kim Bailey and Marilyn Morgan.
United Way is holding a planning event on August 27 for its next campaign.
There will be a 5K run at Sunfish Pond on July 18.
Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission provided information on a Grant Writing Workshop conducted by Penn State on July 28. Several non-profit groups have expressed interest in attending a workshop of this type.
Attending were representatives from these members: Schoonover Plumbing and Heating, Rialto Theatre, Principle Enterprises, Bradford County Regional Arts Council, Passion Life Wellness, Chemung Canal Trust Co., Canton Borough Authority, First Citizens Community Bank, Oscar's Flooring, Jenny May Designs & Marketing, Bradford County Housing Authority, Sweet Tooth Bakery, Canton Borough, IHS Pizza, Canton Independent-Sentinel.