CHAMBER EVENTS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
2017
President’s Message
“N ot Your
Average C hamber”
EXPO
LACKAWANNA COUNTY
The Marketplace at Steamtown
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2017
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
FREE EVENT
and Tour
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2017
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Lunch Mixer
MID VALLEY MANOR
85 STURGES ROAD
PECKVILLE
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
I’ve written previously about our economic development
programs and our leadership initiatives. This month, I’d like
to give you a brief description of MetroAction, Inc.
Founded in 1977 as a downtown development organization,
one of MetroAction’s earliest projects was a façade
improvement program on Linden Street. Twenty years later,
with the help of a consortium of local banks, MetroAction
began offering microloans. These loans were often
made to those who had experienced diffi culty getting a
traditional bank loan. MetroAction became a federal and
state CDFI – Certifi ed Development Financial Institution
– and expanded its lending territory to nine Northeastern
Pennsylvania counties. In 2011, when fl ooding from tropical
storms severely damaged many Luzerne County businesses,
MetroAction provided low-interest loans through a special
program created with funds from the Commonwealth
Financing Authority.
Things are changing once again. Many of MetroAction’s
loan products are being offered by banks or other
community development organizations. A strategic planning
group is currently taking a close look at MetroAction’s
mission and will develop a vision for its future.
Thank you to Ray Ceccotti, President, and all of the
dedicated members of the MetroAction Board of Directors.
Growing business,
Celebration of Leadership
HILTON SCRANTON & CONFERENCE CENTER
2 • The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce