Dear Chamber Members,

My name is Theresa Widger, and as the new Chair for the Salem County Chamber of Commerce, I want to wish our hardworking business community a Happy New Year and much success and good health in 2023! Many of you know me thorough my work as the PSEG Nuclear Stakeholder Outreach Specialist and my involvement in the Chamber over the last 6 years.

I am so excited to be taking on this role and intend to make 2023, our 80^th anniversary, all about YOU, our members by engaging with you to understand how best to serve you. I assure you our Board of Directors knows our most important job this year is to give you tools, exposure and opportunities to help you succeed because as our motto reminds us, “Your success is our business”!

During 2022, our past Chair Rob Bender with First National Bank of Elmer was instrumental in growing our Chamber’s membership by 20%. Our board is grateful for his commitment and engagement that has set the stage for our 80^th year in business and set the bar on growth. Thank you, Rob, for a job well done!

Speaking of 80 years, did you know the symbolic gift for an 80^th anniversary is oak? It couldn’t be more appropriate considering our own Chamber logo has an acorn and the oak tree represents strength, longevity and growth. This year our Marketing team will deliver our website upgrade and focus on analytics to bring more traffic to our site, offer a user friendly experience and quickly direct visitors to your business. More visibility to our Chamber and your businesses will strengthen and grow our organization. Stay tuned for more surprises throughout the year to celebrate our members and thank you for our successes and longevity!

Leading community outreach efforts for PSEG Nuclear, I have learned that we are only as strong as the community we serve. As Salem County’s largest employer, our company and each of our employees have a responsibility to support our communities whether it’s jobs, volunteering, funding or leadership. I am proud to represent PSEG Nuclear this year as the Chamber’s Chair and advocate for our businesses with our Government Relations Committee and continue to build strong relationships with our endless networking opportunities. Together, let us strengthen our membership to build the foundation for the next 80 years!

Cheers to a prosperous 2023!

Theresa L. Widger

The businesses already committed to attend include:

Bethel Bible Church

Alicia Bjornson & Rick Becker (retired Members)

Century Savings Bank

Christopher's Organic Botanicals

Franklin Bank

Green Technology Services

Shannon Oberman, Realtor

PCity Bakery

Salem Botanicals

Salem County Historical Society

Salem County Humane Society

Salem Oak Vineyards

80 years ago, in 1943 a group of local business folks came together to found the Salem County Chamber of Commerce. More on this history later.

For now, please mark your calendars for a celebration reception June 8, 5:30 pm - 7pm at Maria's.

One complimentary ticket will be provided to all Chamber Members. More on costs for additional tickets as we solidify the menu.

Event Sponsors include:

PSEG Nuclear - Event Sponsor

Atlantic City Electric - Champagne Toast Sponsor

Inspira/Salem Medical Center - Dessert Sponsor

Additional Sponsors are available - contact The Chamber office or any committee member for more information.

The event planning committee includes:

Theresa Widger, Chair of the Board & Committee Chair

Dawn Ellis, Franklin Bank

Sue Ann Leighty, Realtor & Habitat for Humanity

ShayLa Salter, Atlantic City Electric

If you would like to help us plan and implement the event, call The Chamber office at 856-351-2245 or contact any committee Member.

At The Chamber's Monday Government Relations & Economic Development Committee meeting, Monica Coffey, our representative from NJEDA provided the attached update on the Lower Alloways Creek Wind Port Project. Click HERE

The Chamber's Government Relations & Economic Development Committee meets once a month, for an hour via Zoom. Included each month are progress updates from:

NJEDA - Wind Port Project

NJ Third Legislative District

County of Salem Economic Development

If you'd like to be part of the Committee, call The Chamber office at 856-351-2245.

Committee Members Include:

Lou Joyce, Committee Chair

Luis Andrade, Sandpiper International

Monica Coffey, NJEDA

Mike Gorman, Salem Community College

Andy Lindemuth, Western Pest

Tammy Maciocha, South Jersey Gas

Doug Painter, Astro Sign Company

Harvey Saunders, Calvary Community Development Corp

Sean Sepseym NJ 3rd Legislative District

Theresa Widger, PSEG Nuclear

Dave Yhlen, Salem Medical Center an Inspira Affiliate

Fred Young, Salem County Dept of Economic Development

Register today for an informative webinar Thursday, January 19th at 10:00 to learn HOW TO SUBMIT A RURAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANT APPLICATION.  To register click: Webinar Registration - Zoom (zoomgov.com)

Upcoming American Red Cross blood drives in Salem County with available appointments include:

Saturday 1/21/2023 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Woodstown Masonic Lodge #138, 32 Auburn Road, Woodstown 08098

Tuesday 1/24/2023 from 1 - 6 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, 76 Market Street, Salem 08079

Tuesday 1/31/2023 from 2 - 7 p.m. at the Salem County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 6, 693 South Broadway, Pennsville 08070

Tuesday 2/7/2023 from 12 - 5 p.m. at the Pedricktown Industrial Complex, 76 Porcupine Road, Pedricktown 08067

Tuesday 2/7/2023 from 2 - 7 p.m. at the Ferrell Fire Company, 186 Elk Road, Monroeville 08343

Wednesday 2/8/2023 from 1 - 6 p.m. at the Elmer United Methodist Church, 19 South Main Street, Elmer 08318

To make an appointment to donate blood, go to redcrossblood.org and enter the zip code of the desired donation location.

With sincere thanks to the Salem County Chamber of Commerce members and their employees, families, and friends for their generous and ongoing support,

Cindy McManus

American Red Cross - Community Volunteer Leader - Salem County

cell: 856 217-4986

Held at PSEG's EERC

244 Chestnut St,

Salem, NJ 08079

To register with payment visit:

SalemCountyChamber.com/payments

Join us for great networking at GW Pens, hosted by owner John Greco at:

4 South Main Street

Woodstown

To ensure adequate refreshments, please RSVP to 856-351-2245

Join us as we celebrate God’s faithfulness over these many years!

65 Years of Light and Life

Friday, February 17, 2023, 6-10 PM

The Inn at Salem Country Club

91 Salem Country Club Road, Salem, NJ 08079

Semi-Formal Attire | Adults Only

Contribution: $35

Payment due January 13^th

Visit our website for more information and to download registration form.

This year's Best of Salem County Contest begins March 1 with voting ending March 30, 2023. We'll forward the ballot draft out to everyone several times in February. Please provide feedback to ensure we are appropriately including your business in each category for the terrific products & services your company provides.

The Celebration event is scheduled for Thursday evening, April 27 from 5:30 pm - 7pm at Salem Community College's Davidow Performing Arts Center. One of our Board Members received feedback from quite a few Members asking if we could make the celebration event complimentary for Members. So we listened and are creating an event similar to The Oscars. Take a walk on the red carpet, door prize drawings, lots of photos and recognition. There will be no charge for attendees!

Sponsorships are available at $250 each and pay for recognition certificates, DJ, photo booth, yard signs. If you are interested in Sponsoring, please call Jennifer at The Chamber offices at 856-351-2245 or send an email to [email protected]

Look for more details soon.

Please join Ralston Law in a Boards & Estate Planning event on March 24, 2023 at 7pm. Materials cost $35. However, if you use discount code Misty15 — Ralston Law will pay for $15.00 and you will only pay $20.00

Refreshments will be provided. All attendees will also be entered into a drawing for a free gift.