Chicopee Chamber celebrates anniversary

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - The Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce tonight celebrated 50 years of building strong businesses in their community.

Chamber members are pleased with business, despite a challenge earlier this year.

That challenge was the closing of the Davitt Bridge. A two-year construction project started this spring, and that means two years of detours for those who live, work and stop in downtown Chicopee.

The Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce has been building and supporting Chicopee's economy for half a century.

“We serve as a collective voice for all of our members in government as well as on business issues locally. We provide opportunities for networking so they can grow their businesses by meeting the leaders of other companies,” said chamber chair Ron Proulz.

Many Chicopee businesses had somewhat of a hurdle to overcome this year. Construction on the Davitt bridge began in may, closing a key entrance to downtown.

Many downtown businesses responded to a chamber survey saying they haven't been impacted by the detours-- thanks to loyal customers and the 'Easy to Enter Chicopee Center' campaign. But it's not completely business as usual.

“I think the businesses that deal with impulse buying have felt it because there's not that drive thru traffic that stops for a pack of cigarettes or a couple doughnuts at the bakery. Something like that,” said Bill Wagner, president of Chicopee Savings Bank.

But it's a challenge the chamber says they'll rise to meet. Chamber president Gail Sherman told 22news the chamber has adapted in many ways over 50 years to meet the needs of their members.

“Whether its workforce development or health care or health insurance discounts or sewer and water fees we're always there and we're very flexible. We like to be a voice for our members,” Sherman said.

Bill Wagner told 22News thanks to the ideal weather we've had, Chicopee businesses are confident about completion of the Davitt Bridge project on or before schedule.