Chamber Foundation
The Lima Area Chamber Foundation is a 501c3 organization run through the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber Foundation is the parent organization for several of our programs including: Lima Allen County College Access/GEAR UP Program, Allen Lima Leadership, and the Walter C. Potts Entrepreneur Center.
Foundation Partners
The following businesses have donated over $5000 to the Lima Area Chamber Foundation. We appreciate these valued Foundation Partners.
Tom Ahl Family of Dealerships Time Warner Cable
Dominion HCF Management
Allied Environmental Services The Ohio State University at Lima
Superior Federal Credit Union National Lime & Stone
CenturyLink Lima Ford
Sheakley
Lima Allen County College Access/GEAR UP
The College Access/GEAR UP program strives to assist individuals in Lima/Allen County, and surrounding counties, in pursuing an education beyond high school. Since 2002, there have been over 17,000 individuals who have participated in workshops, individual or group sessions, and classroom presentations on academic and college preparation (applications, essays, registration and preparation for ACT/SAT, scholarships, financial aid and careers) Our free services and programs are available to individuals of all ages.
The College Access/GEAR UP program is a member of the Ohio College Access Network (OCAN) and is one of 36 access programs throughout Ohio assisting individuals to increase the college-going rate. The program has been recognized at the state level with an outstanding program award, outstanding staff award, and collaboration award with Lima Senior High School. The Lima Allen County College Access Program holds the OCAN Seal of Excellence, an accreditation for providing access to low-income, first-generation individuals. For additional information, visit their website at www.ohiocan.org/allen.
Allen Lima Leadership
Allen Lima Leadership (ALL) is a county-wide leadership program designed to develop new leaders for our community. The purpose of ALL is to be a catalyst to promote positive change in Allen/Lima communities by providing an education which will improve understanding of community issues, institutions, self and others and train individuals in advanced leadership principles.
Enhancing leadership skills of the participants which are already in leadership positions throughout Allen County makes the graduates a stronger resource for our community. ALL motivates the graduates into action by conducting ongoing community awareness programs. Empowered with a new understanding, leaders then can help improve the quality of community life. Their impact is great. For additional information on the Allen Lima Leadership program visit their website at www.allenlimaleadership.com.
Walter C. Potts Entrepreneur Center
The Chamber Foundation, in collaboration with the Small Business Development Center, Diversified Management Services, Inc. and other local business leaders, established the Walter C. Potts Entrepreneur Center. The goal of The Center is to identify and advance opportunities to support economic development and expansion of small and minority businesses.
The Walter C. Potts Entrepreneur Center provides a full range of programs and expert services to help start and grow businesses. The staff of The Center guides clients through the process to make sure their business gets started on the right foot. The Center provides business counseling and conducts a needs assessment, develops an action plan and helps clients move to the next level, provide incubation services and assists them in securing access to capital. The Center also targets middle and high school students throughout Allen County teaching them how to plan business strategies an instills a drive for entrepreneurship at a young age. For additional information regarding the Walter C. Potts Entrepreneur Center, visit their website at www.pottsentrepreneurcenter.com.