SYRACUSE — Often when a new executive director takes over, there are changes.
This is what is happening at the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce.
Ashley Dillon took over her role as the executive director on Aug. 21. She came into the position with the mission of being a servant and putting community first.
Among the many projects she had in mind is the remodeling of the chamber office at 207 N. Huntington St. It only took her several months before thoughts became action.
“Ashley called me,” said Bruce Jackson, T.L. Jackson Construction. “She called and said she had a vision for this and needed help. So we put plans together for her and helped with some of the scheduling and round people up.”
That vision has resulted in an estimated $100,000 in donated time, labor, materials and even financial donations from local businesses. There's been no cost to the chamber.
“It's a total remodel,” Jackson said. “We're taking it down to the drywall. New trim, flooring, we've opened up some walls, new plumbing, cabinets, paint. I was told today we're going to work outside.”
Jackson worked with Gabe Ritter of Ritter Electric on the plans.
“We collaborated with Ashley on the lighting layout, fixtures,” said Ritter. “I think it's great, exciting,” he added about the project. “There's going to be a lot of good things, it's going to be good for the community to be able to see this moving forward.”
Jackson said, “People come to this town and need a nice area to come in and see what we offer.”
Both Jackson and Ritter stated giving back to the community is how their family businesses started out, 40 and 25 years ago, respectively.
The work began in the first part of November. Dillon had a schedule of the work and could then assign when crews could do their part. All workers are volunteering their time and coming in when time allows.
sBut local businesses are not the only ones working on the new chamber digs.
Members of the Wawasee Building Trades are also helping out. Jeff Dyson, chamber president, stated this has been a great experience. “They have done a wonderful job. A few have been offered jobs from contractors they have worked beside.”
Dyson credits connections Dillon made while in the hospitality business with The Owl's Nest. “She was able to pull a lot of her connections. She was serving all these people. Now she has the opportunity to still serve, but they are now helping/working with her in a different capacity to improve the community. It's a great fit. She's doing a phenomenal job … the growth is phenomenal. She's got a lot of connections, there's a lot of new faces, a lot of old faces. They've been here for a long time and all are stepping up to make this something great.
“I'm really excited,” said Dyson. “I am very excited that local businesses in town are rallying behind the chamber and they are donating their time, their materials. Some people are donating their money in order to renovate this building so that we have something the community can be proud of. And it's exiting to have Ashley as the leader behind this project, being able to pull this all together.”
Dyson said there is excitement in the chamber and growth that is long overdue. “The chamber got a fresh breath of life when Ashley stepped into the role of executive director because she's had a positive experience with so many people in this community. Now she's in a role where she can make a difference in this community. Everybody is getting behind her and wants to see something positive out of all of this.”
Dillon stated the idea came after being contacted by local businesses needing a conference room. But the conference room was too small. “The new conference room will accommodate more people and will be available to chamber members to use,” she stated. Dyson said there will also be opportunities for small businesses to utilize private work spaces.
Dyson stated with the amount of time, money, materials and labor local businesses have poured into this project, it shows local businesses are “supporting this project. They are the ones that are championing, making this happen.”
Work will continue on the building as the volunteers have time available, but the remodeling will not stop with just the interior. Exterior work will also take place, including new landscaping.
Dillon is speechless when it comes to all the contributions she has received. Many have said jokingly that she is one who doesn't take no for an answer, but asks what you could do to help.
“If you would like to get involved, reach out to the chamber,” Dillon said. This could be by email, a phone call or a visit to the chamber's website, swchamber.com.