By Executive Director Jo Schmeiser, Chamber of Commerce for Greater Milford

As we all know the last few years have been challenging for businesses, organizations and individuals as well. 

Through it all though, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Milford has continued to provide our members, residents and visitors alike with opportunities to help the communities we serve grow and appreciate the fact that the greater Milford area is a great place to work, live and play. 

The chamber welcomed 58 new members in 2021 and looks forward to meeting with several other interested businesses and organizations in 2022. 

Last year, the CCGM hosted several successful major events including the Community Expo in March, Girls Night Out in May, a Golf Classic in July (partnering with the Milton Chamber of Commerce for the first time), Milford’s largest annual outdoor event, the 20th Anniversary Riverwalk “Freedom” Festival in September and the Holiday Auction and Tastes of Milford in November. 

As a result of hosting several successful events last year, the chamber was able to donate over $13,000 back to non-profit organizations that support our chamber and the community. 

In April, the chamber spearheaded the first ever Milford Community Wide Clean-up, with partners including the city of Milford/Milford Parks and Recreation, the DSWA, local legislators, DMI, Keep Delaware Beautiful, the Milford School District and the Milford Church of God. Over 100 volunteers cleaned up several tons of trash. A second annual Milford Community Clean-up is in the planning stages. 

In addition to hosting several major events, we also hosted 10 after hours business mixers, 12 Sunrise Seminars, two quarterly luncheons (the Legislative Luncheon and the General Membership Luncheon) and several ribbon cuttings, anniversaries and grand opening celebrations. 

The December Business Mixer was also the annual Gift Giving Mixer. Chamber members donated unwrapped gifts and the folks from the Milford School District provided those gifts to children in the school district who may not receive any gifts for the holidays otherwise. 

The CCGM’s Workforce Development Committee hosted one of the most successful job fairs in the state in 2021 on the grounds of Milford High School. Another job fair will be held on May 4, in the Milford High School gymnasium. There will be a Power Hour for the students, and then adults will be welcome to check out the many employers seeking employees. 

The Chamber of Commerce, through the direction of the Executive Board and Board of Directors, will continue to strive to offer members benefits and opportunities that will help members make the connections they need to enable their businesses and organizations to grow and prosper. 

The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Milford is a nonprofit, member driven organization.

For more information, call 302-422-3344, visit www.milfordchamber.com or like us on Facebook.