Holmes County Chamber unveils renovated welcome center in downtown Millersburg

For many years Holmes County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau Executive Director Tiffany Gerber has been handing out oversized scissors for ribbon-cutting ceremonies to other community leaders.

On Sept. 24 she got to wield them herself.

On that day of celebration, the community came together to celebrate the grand reopening of the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau’s remodeled offices and welcome center. The event included tours of the renovated space, light appetizers and a soda bar, but the main focus was on celebrating the center’s many new remodeled benefits including the front section of the center that will remain open to the public and to tourists after closing hours and on weekends.

“This is the first time I’ve actually got to use them,” Gerber said of the enormous scissors.

She said this revitalization of the former chamber digs was a collaborative effort, one that included her staff and many other chamber businesses.

“It feels good to celebrate what a lot of people worked on. This project has been a labor of love for our team, and we are excited to unveil the newly renovated center, which will display local information for visitors, potential residents, future investors and chamber partners in an attractive and accessible space,” Gerber said. “We were very deliberate in the design to create an information center with expanded hours. We will now be able to have the space open in the evenings and on weekends to serve visitors outside of our typical hours.”

A new timer lock with expanded window space, digital signage and information tools will add to the overall visitor experience, something the chamber staff has already seen pay dividends.

When designing the remodeling, Gerber said they were cognizant of creating a modern design of the space while at the same time paying homage to the classic American-made products and timeless traditions of Holmes County.

“We had a very clear path that we wanted to work with chamber members whenever and wherever possible,” Gerber said.

Designed by Brick and Bannister and planned by Tekton Engineering, the vision was brought to life by Avodah Contractors, and the space will showcase locally made furniture products, brochure racks and information kiosks.

“This is a testament to all of our community, how everyone works together, even competitors. We’ve got everyone trying to elevate each other,” said Robert Miller, president of Tekton Engineering.

The welcome center will offer space to host local events and meetings, will partner with other downtown Millersburg businesses, and will offer a public restroom with an adult changing table. The changing table was provided by the Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities through an accessibility grant.

While the project was an inconvenience for the chamber and tourism team, they managed to work throughout the process amid the dust, noise and confusion of building.

Gerber said all the chamber team members used their specific talents to ensure everything rolled along smoothly.

“Everyone stepped up and contributed so the daily business never stopped,” Gerber said.

The reconstruction process created a much brighter, friendlier presence inside the chamber, also offering a more inviting area for visitors to stop in, even after hours.

Gerber said the goal was to reinvent and update the facility with a modern feel while maintaining the traditions and essence of Holmes County.

“This project is an investment in Holmes County as a destination and as a community,” Gerber said. “It would not have been possible without the vision of the chamber board of directors, the support of our tourism council, the generosity of our sponsors, and the recognition of the importance of tourism and the chamber’s programs.”

The Holmes County Commissioners provided a bed tax grant from the over $1 million collected annually from visitors to the area. Several sponsors stepped up to support the project, either through donations of furniture and services or with sponsorship dollars. That list included Avodah Contractors; The Commercial and Savings Bank; Critchfield, Critchfield and Johnston LLC; Dutchcraft Furniture; Dutchman Hospitality; The Killbuck Savings Bank; Wildridge; Mavin; Millersburg Electric; Park National Bank; Renee West HR Solutions LLC; The Stables at Arrowhead Lake; and private sponsors.

During the celebration several other county chamber and tourism bureau leaders were in attendance, as were many of those people dedicated to the project.

Jay McColluch, chamber board president, said the final product is something the chamber and all the county can be proud of.

Holmes Commissioner Eric Strouse read a proclamation congratulating the chamber, calling it a cornerstone of the county’s economic development.