Contact Information:    Chamber E-mail and Webmaster - chamber@albionin.org

Meetings are the third Monday of the month, 12:00 Noon at the Kountry Kitchen Restaurant

Chamber Happenings!

Racing for a Cure!

    Spring is almost here! Although the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced there will be no Indy 500 decorating contest, the Indy 500 Race will still take place on Memorial Day Weekend.  May is also the month in which the
annual Noble County Relay for Life event takes place.  The Relay for Life Committee adopted the theme of "Racing for a Cure" and requests that the entire Town of Albion show support for racing and for those who battle cancer.  You are invited to show your support by decorating your home, yard or business in a racing theme.  This can be accomplished by using racing
decorations or cancer related decorations or a combination of both.  The official color of the Relay is purple.  Feel free to be creative.

    On April 25, 26 and 27th, Chain O' Lakes State Park will host the annual Indiana Trail 100 mile race.  Many of the runners come to Noble County from other states.  Let's show the world that Albion cares.  We ask that your decorations be in place prior to April 25th and remain through the month of May.

     The Albion Chamber is once again sponsoring the Albion Town Wide Garage Sale.  The Chamber is also absorbing the cost of advertising for the Sale and the Town of Albion has waived the Garage sale Fee, therefore, there will be no charge to you.  All that is asked of you, is to complete the form and return it to the above address by April 15, 2013.   

Albion Townwide Garage Sales

            The date’s of the Sale will be May 3^rd  thru  the 4^th , 2013, Friday and Saturday. Thurs., May ^{2nd     is} optional, however, you must state this on your registration slip so the Town may be notified and you will be in compliance. The Chamber is scheduling a Goodwill Truck for the following Saturday, May 11^th   from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM or until the Truck is full.

   You may pick up your sign and maps to hand out at your sale at the Albion New Era  the week of April 30^th .   If you have further questions, please call:

Phyllis Herendeen:      636-2748

 

Business of the Year named at Albion Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet

More than just a pig farm, Whiteshire Hamroc is impacting swine production worldwide

by Joy LeCount
ALBION, Ind. - Whiteshire Hamroc has come a long way since the farm where it is based was purchased by the Lemmon family back in the 1940s. Or, perhaps it would be more appropriate to say the swine production and genetics company has gone a long way!
   Whiteshire Hamroc is the largest U.S. recorder of Yorkshire, Landrace, Duroc, and Hampshire breeds combined, according to the National Swine Registry 2012 recordings. The company has been exporting swine breeding stock for more than 20 years and to over 22 different countries - all with the goal of improving swine genetics and meat quality for consumers.
   Those attending Albion Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting heard a presentation regarding Whiteshire Hamroc's operation  from Charlie Lemmon and Andrew Lemmon (representing the third and fourth generations to reside on the original farm).
    Charlie Lemmon explained that there are many different aspects to Whiteshire Hamroc.. Those include raising corn and soybeans - mostly for feed for the approximately 34,000 pigs produced annually; development of, selling and supervising construction of buildings with a patented air handling system specifically for farrowing; producing pigs for various medical uses such as skin grafts and heart valves; exporting pigs to foreign countries; and joint swine production ventures with partners in China.
    Cultural, traditional, philosophical differences between China and the U.S. have made the business relationships challenging, according to Charlie Lemmon, and have produced some very interesting scenarios.
       Charlie    and    Andrew augmented their program with a series of slides which illustrated the scope of Whiteshire Hamroc's impact in the swine industry worldwide.
   Whiteshire Hamroc was also Albion Chamber of Commerce's 2013 Business of the Year.  Kevin Dreibelbis made the award presentation saying, "This year's Albion Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year is a silent community giver, never really asking for, nor necessarily wanting, recognition! Most would probably be surprised at what they do and/or contribute to our community, county and local economy.
"You've probably heard about this unique business - maybe even tonight - that has helped put Albion, Indiana on the map worldwide."
  "This not-so-ordinary "farm" IS known worldwide. They export pigs, patent new products, are highly involved in genetic research and development, and do a lot of business in Asia, particularly China. In return, many Asians come to Albion and Noble County to the farm, therefore, putting many dollars into our local economy. Ask Tammy at Brick Ark Inn Bed & Breakfast if she has Asian guests. They eat at local restaurants, spend money at retail stores and more.
   Whiteshire Hamroc recently acquired more space for their AirWorks system in the Newell building in the Albion Industrial Park. AirWorks is an innovative and patented building and ventilation system. AirWorks is environmentally friendly and not only lowers energy needs, but more importantly for neighbors and fellow community members, it reduces odor.
  'They've also purchased property and plan to build a new state-of-the-art facility, in partnership with the Chinese, in southwest Noble County. This will house an international research and development farm. This new facility will be the first international swine research and development farm for both the U.S. and China. Locally, it will bring 25 long-term jobs and over 100 short-term construction jobs to our community, once again impacting our economy positively.
   These are just a few things this business has done for our community.
   Often times, you'll hear a family member or staff member say, we're just a pig farm. We know that's not true, they're just being modest. We all know they're much more. Whiteshire Hamroc IS an integral part of our community.
  Please join me in congratulating Whiteshire Hamroc as Albion Chamber of Commerce's 2013 Business of the Year!,Ó Dreibelbis concluded.
   The Albion Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting was held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on January 16, 2014. Entertainment during the dinner hour was presented by The Apple Sauce Quartet.
   During an election for Albion Chamber of Commerce board members, Kevin Dreibelbis, Chris Magnuson and Phyllis Herendeen were elected to serve two years, and Sharon Leitch, Jessica Schafer and Lanette McGuire were elected to serve one year. They join Carla Fiandt, Steve Lemish and Tammy Luce who have one year remaining on their term. 

 2014 Albion Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Front Row: Phyllis Herendeen and Steve Lemish. Back Row: Carla Fiandt, Sharon Leitch, Lanette McGuire, Chris Magnuson and Kevin Dreibelbis. Missing from photo are Jessica Shaffer and Tammy Luce.