DELPHI, IN — Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Calin Smith says the biggest misconception about the chamber isn’t what it does — it’s how much it does.
“It’s not that question, it’s kind of what don’t we do,” Smith said Thursday during an appearance on WILO’s Party Line program, hosted by WILO Party Line talk show host and Clinton County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development CEO Shan Sheridan. “As a chamber you’re involved in so many things — economic development, business development — you’re working with your city leaders, your county leaders, you’re working with a variety of different groups, a lot of nonprofit organizations.”
Smith stepped into the top job at the chamber effective Aug. 1, after roughly a year working alongside the prior chamber director Madison Kauffman. When Madison left, Smith said she saw an opportunity. “That seems like a challenge — let’s help some businesses out,” she said of her decision to take over.
A Carroll County native who grew up in the Cutler area near the historic Adams Mill, Smith said she’s now in her second month wrapping her head around everything the chamber juggles. “I have a great board, I have great support systems — they’ve been doing it for years and they’re offering great guidance,” she said.
Her goal, she said, is to loosen up the chamber’s image a bit. “I want to make it fun — business doesn’t have to be stuffy,” Smith said. “I’m just wanting to kind of put my fun stamp on some things that we do.
A County-wide Reach
Smith was quick to note the chamber’s territory extends well beyond the county seat. “It’s not just a Delphi chamber — it is all over Carroll County,” she said, name-checking Cutler, Camden, Flora, Burlington and other communities the chamber represents
Busy Fall Calendar
The chamber has a full slate of events planned through the end of the year:
Smith also said the chamber’s small-grant program, which offers up to $2,000 in marketing money per event, has closed its application window for this round and a handful of requests are now under review
Ribbon Cuttings and a First Festival
The chamber marked a busy stretch of ribbon cuttings, including one last weekend at Delphi’s Riley Park StoryWalk, a joint project between the Delphi Public Library and the Delphi Park Board that lets visitors read a story in stages while walking a half-mile loop. Another ribbon cutting is planned for this coming Saturday marking the one-year anniversary of a Delphi spa business.
Smith also reflected on running her first Indiana Bacon Festival as director. The 13th annual festival drew crowds to downtown Delphi on Aug. 22. “It was wonderful — I had so much fun. I’m ready to go again,” she said. “It was just magical watching all of the pieces fall into place, even with weather situations.”
She also praised the renovated Delphi Opera House and its director, Rachel Larimore, who is booking shows including a bourbon lecture and tasting fundraiser Friday night at 7:30. “It’s just the building itself and the history behind that,” Smith said.
Help Wanted.
The chamber is currently a one-person shop, but Smith said that’s about to change. “We need an office manager,” she said. “We’ll be posting that pretty soon, so keep your eye out if you’re interested.”
Anyone with questions, ideas or feedback for the chamber can call or stop by its office at 110 E. Franklin St. in Delphi, or reach the chamber at (765) 564-6757. The chamber can also be found on Facebook and at carrollcountychamber.com.