2022 brings new networking opportunities to the Ohio Valley | News, Sports, Jobs

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A new year is on the horizon, and local business owners are actively looking for more ways to promote their businesses going into 2022.

St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce Director Wendy Anderson said new networking opportunities are expected to be launched in the coming weeks.

“We’re starting our Coffee and Connections again, which is our networking group. We stopped last year in spring, so we’re starting back up,” she said, adding that one goal is to strengthen relationships on both sides of the Ohio River.

“Our first one’s going to be in January. It’s up at The Highlands at West Liberty University. … Then we’ll have one here (in Ohio) in February. It’s working together as a community. We need to band together and knock that wall down between Belmont County and Ohio County (in West Virginia). We really do, and that’s just a thing we’re going to work on this year. …

“We are going to build that bridge between us.”

Anderson added the networking meeting will take place at 8 a.m. Jan. 12.

“This is what our members are waiting for. This is exactly what they want. They want that ‘connectworking.’ That’s what we call it,” she said. “It’s very, very important to get their information out there. We’re just the vessel to help them get that information out there, and they depend on us to do that.”

Anderson said almost 30 businesses are expected to attend.

“I’d say about 25 different businesses are being represented at The Highlands. That’s pretty big,” she said.

In addition, there is some new interest in St. Clairsville.

“Today I had a phone call. I have a business that’s interested in relocating to St. Clairsville. They’re looking for a place to be. There’s a lot of interest in St. Clairsville,” she said.

Anderson added that area businesses adapted well during the pandemic and will continue to persist.

“Going into the New Year, I’m not sure what COVID’s going to bring for us this year. But I think everyone’s trying to stay ahead of that game, and they’re going to do their best just to get out there and connect as long as they can, because they find that was very, very important to them … last year, and that was a positive note for them going into 2021. So going into 2022, they know it works and they’re going to continue that,” she said.

“For us, our New Year’s resolution is to be better, to grow stronger,” she said. “It’s all about supporting the community everywhere. It’s all about supporting small businesses and the community, so shop local. That’s where my emphasis is going to be on. Shop local with the community, be better with the community, and sharing information.”

More information can be found at stcchamber.com.