Last week I had the pleasure of speaking with about 20 students ages 13-19 from the Venango Area at the Oil Region Youth Entrepreneur Program. These students spent two days learning about becoming entrepreneurs and hearing from local business owners and leaders. My presentation was … READ MORE
Since the launch of Be Here in January 2017, we’ve been speaking to community groups and students, presenting at events, posting on social media, and talking one-on-one with community members about the message of the initiative. We often get positive feedback and are asked “how … READ MORE
We often hear stories of people who return to the Venango Area and don’t feel extremely welcomed by the community. This could be a young person after college, a person who has lived away for years and wants to come home, or any similar situation. … READ MORE
Right here, right now – in Venango County and throughout the region – great things are happening! I know because every week I’m working with new startup companies, small businesses on the move, and manufacturing companies that are shipping product across the country. These are stories … READ MORE
For a regional initiative set on attracting young professionals to the area, “connection” is the key word. “Be Here,” created by program manager Ashley Cowles at the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, has been working to attract and retain residents since its launch in January. … READ MORE
The Venango Area Chamber of Commerce officially launched its Be Here Initiative at an event on Thursday, January 26, at Karma Coffee Co in Oil City. Be Here was created to attract and retain people and create an overall positive attitude of the area. People … READ MORE
Did you grow up in Venango County and leave for years, but now you’ve moved back and found a happy, successful life here? Have you lived here your whole life and never plan on leaving? Are you from another area, but moved here because of … READ MORE
The Be Here initiative was created to spread the word about great opportunities in the Venango Area, but we want to do more than just talk! We are working to help improve the issues that do exist in the area, one of those being JOBS. … READ MORE