Business coalition in western Clark County looks to expand its reach

Members of the Western Clark County Business Coalition hope a rebranding effort that will include a name change will help expand the organization’s reach. CONTRIBUTED

Members of the Western Clark County Business Coalition hope a rebranding effort that will include a name change will help expand the organization’s reach. CONTRIBUTED

A business coalition in western Clark County is in the process of rebranding itself, a move its members say will allow them to reach more people and better promote economic development in their area.

The largest aspect of the rebranding, which has been on the front burner for the group this year, will be a name change for the organization that serves around 100 businesses on the county’s western edge.

The Western Clark County Business Coalition was formed in 2012 to bring more services to what members once called a previously “under-served” area. In order to better accomplish that mission, the group is shortening its name .

The organization’s new name will be revealed during a launch party at the Brandeberry Winery, 5118 W Jackson Road, in Enon on Friday.

The group’s leaders say that by shortening the name, it will help with ongoing efforts to extend their reach in the areas they serve such Enon and New Carlisle.

Though the coalition’s leaders felt the old name clearly identified the organization’s purpose, they felt it was a mouth full and could be hard for members of the community to remember.

“The (new) name is going to make it easier for people to understand what the organization is and what we do,” said Scott Griffith, an owner of several Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken franchises and a member of the coalition’s board.

He said though the organization’s name is changing, it’s focus on small business owners and operators in the community will remain the same. One of the main purposes of the coalition is to better connect local entrepreneurs with each other as well as provide more avenues to promote their businesses.

Griffith said that means partnering with like minded organizations such as the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce and the Huber Heights Chamber of Commerce in order to better accomplish that mission.

The rebranding effort was spearheaded by the coalition’s board president Rhonda Ledford, who also owns Ledford Electric. She said that her organization is looking to branch out of Clark County and include members located in Huber Heights, Tipp City and parts of Greene County. The new name will reflect those efforts as the coalition looks to continue to expand in the coming years.

Members of the coalition did not disclose how much money is being directed towards the rebranding campaign. However, funds raised through several fundraisers have contributed to its costs, Ledford said.

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