The Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of their newly-remodeled office on Eleanor Street with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday afternoon. The site was previously home to the Chamber before they moved to the University Center on Central Avenue earlier this year.
“Lou (Gagliardi), who is the executive director of the Portage Economic Development Corporation, was named executive director of the Portage Chamber on June 19,” said Nancy Simpson, Office Manager with the Chamber. “The two executive committees of the Chamber and PEDCO came together and thought it would be best to join leadership so the Chamber made the switch to the University Center on June 22nd because PEDCO was already located there.”
“Other local areas, like Valpo and the Duneland, have joined leaders with their economic development to have one leader and two sections,” Simpson said. “One section is the Chamber and the other is economic development, both with the same goal and all under one roof.”
The new Chamber location was up for sale but after the sale fell through, and the Portage Police were scheduled to take over the University Center, it was decided that the Chamber would move back to their old offices.
“We had to be out of the University Center in the first week of October so we decided that we would just come back here,” said Simpson. “We were still paying for the location and it would make the most sense financially. With a little bit of money we were able to spruce the place up. Lou did a lot of remodeling here. We tore down walls which opened the place up and took down the drop ceiling. The changes look great and we’re really happy to be here.”
Executive Director Lou Gagliardi has overseen all the changes to the chamber building and spoke about the work that has gone into making the location work for them and for the Portage area.
“Once I realized we were coming back here I knew it needed an update,” said Gagliardi. “The budget was tight so I came in and just started knocking down walls by myself. I spent four days in here, morning to night, and I did all the demolition. We did this in twelve business days and when people came in they were really shocked.”
“I think this remodel is a great statement about our direction moving forward,” Gagliardi said. “We really wanted to present the right image that we’re business-focused and ready to help the members of our chamber and to help the city attract companies to Portage. It just lifts the moral of the whole team too. When you come here, you’re happy to be here. My goal for next year will be to work on and redo the outside.”
To find out more about the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce go to: http://www.portageinchamber.com/.