About the North East Chamber
The North East Area Chamber of Commerce began as an all-male merchant association nearly 40 years ago. The organization functioned in this capacity for two decades.
In the early 1980's the Chamber evolved into a Pennsylvania "Main Street" program. With the help of state funding, a Main Street Manager was hired. The Main Street program focused primarily on the needs of the downtown retail businesses.
In the early 1990's, the Main Street program, in an attempt to encompass businesses in the entire area, developed into the North East Chamber of Commerce with an executive director and a staff of one. Initially, the Chamber's Board of Directors was not an "active" group, but functioned primarily in an advisory capacity. As the organization grew, ever-expanding list of goals and objectives required that the Board become "active."
The Chamber was formally incorporated in 1989. In 1990, the Chamber applied for and received state façade improvement funds. The North East Past Present and Future organization was incorporated as an offshoot of the Chamber to oversee management of those matching grant funds.
It was also in 1990 that the Chamber spearheaded an effort to market the St. Mary's Seminary property to Mercyhurst College by pledging $500,000 over five years to that end.
The Wine Country Harvest Festival, which began as Wine Country USA in 1982, became the primary function of the Tourism Division of the Chamber in 1991. In 1994, the Board decided to move the Wine Country Harvest Festival to Gravel Pit Park in order to be able to charge an admission and regain solid financial status. The financial success of the festivals has put the Chamber in a sound fiscal situation. With an improved financial outlook, the Chamber has been able to offer a variety of community projects reinvesting in the North East community.
The fun-filled weekend offers something for everyone. Building on recent success, the Wine Fest will boast great entertainment, wonderful crafts and artisans, grape stomping, a children's area complete with crafts and face painting and a wealth of exciting fun for people of all ages.
The Wine Country Harvest Festival is held each fall during the last full weekend of September. For detailed information visit www.nechamber.org/winefest or click the Wine Fest Information button on this site.
In 1999, the Board of Directors was reduced in number to eleven and the office staff rearranged. The Executive Director position was abolished and three part-time positions were established: Community Coordinator, Special Events Coordinator, and Office Coordinator. Each job description covers a separate branch of the Chamber, and yet they overlap during several activities. The system has been very well received by the Chamber members and by the community.