Businesses, non-profits forging new relationships through Whitley County Business & Networking group
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Above, members of the Whitley County Business & Networking group discuss local issues at the Brew Ha in Columbia City. Below, from left, Candice Yeakle, Joe Banyash and Karen Rothgeb listen as a fellow group member discusses their business.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
The Whitley County Business & Networking group held their second community networking meeting this morning over coffee at the Brew Ha in downtown Columbia City.
Ten local residents, representing areas of business and non-profit in Whitley County, were in attendance. This morning's engaging topics of discussion ranged from garbage removal and recycling, the construction of the new hospital, the role of agriculture in the community, legal matters, opportunities for higher education, county government, the plight of food local food pantries and much more. Eight local business people attended the first meeting of the group held on January 15. 
The Whitley County Business & Networking group has a forum on Facebook.com where local business people can meet online and exchange information. The page is updated throughout the day by members, adding business or networking-related news. Discussions online have included information about creating business plans, marketing ideas and the role of social networking in the growth of business locally in the 21st century.
The group, which began January 13, has 130 members and five group moderators, including Ben Romine, Jim Banks, Tina Honaker Houser, Carrie Hoffman and Jennifer Zartman Romano.
Whitley County Business & Networking meets every other week, on Friday mornings, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Brew Ha on Main Street in Columbia City.
The group began as a means to further network local people in Whitley County's rapidly expanding online community and marketplace.
"The networking today was a diverse group that I had not had the pleasure of meeting until today," said moderator Carrie Hoffman of the Huntington University EXCEL program "It's obvious they love working, living, fellowshipping and networking with others in Whitley County. They are all truly interested in learning more about local business and I believe will happily refer their friends/family to our businesses due to this group and the relationships that will be formed."
"I feel the importance of this group is to gain knowledge about all aspects of our community and the people who keep it going day to day," said moderator Tina Houser of Orizon Real Estate.
"I have learned so much about the different careers in our community and how each of us have a place for our passions," Houser added. "Each of us really makes a difference in each other's lives."
Being involved in the group has broadened Houser's understanding of the community and the many people who make things happen here on a daily basis.
"I guess I have always taken for granted my 'community,' never giving much thought into how much people put into making our community work," added Houser. "I think we all have a lot of knowledge to gain from each other and I feel it has the potential to be a wonderful support system to all who is involved."
"I hope that this group will be able to create a mechanism in which individuals from many avenues of business can work together to move our county forward," said Whitley County Business & Networking group moderator Ben Romine of The Romine Group. "I also hope that we can create opportunities that will continue to make Whitley County an attractive place to start a business and continue to be the great place to raise a family that it has always been."
Houser said she sees great importance in the continued growth and development of a vibrant online community for commerce, networking and socialization in Whitley County. She particularly enjoys the ability to get instant answers online.
"The more we are in touch with each other the easier the access to the answers we need," Houser said. "Almost everyone is online now! Being online gives us the opportunity to become acquinted with people we have never met in person due to work schedules or time constraints. I am happy I have an online group of friends!"
"Whitley County has a vibrant and active online community that is connecting with each other every day. The more this community grows the more effective we can be at working and advancing our great community together," said moderator Jim Banks of Hagerman Construction and a Whitley County Councilman.
Members of the group have already voiced interest in utilizing the group to not only unite businesses, network, make local connections and share vital information, but also to provide interested individuals with an opportunity to identify community issues and take action.
As of yet, there are no fees or dues to join Whitley County Business & Networking.
To become a member of the group, visit Whitley County Business & Networking and submit a request to join the group. Click here to reach that page or search "Whitley County Business & Networking." If you do not already have a Facebook profile, you will need to create one to become a member of the group.
The next group meeting of Whitley County Business & Networking is slated for Friday, February 12 at 8:30 a.m.