Council members Ellen Zschunke and Eric Glemser, as well as Township Manager Bill Gildea-Walker, and Director of Community & Economic Development Larry Burns accepted the award on behalf of Horsham Township. (Image courtesy of Horsham Township)
Multiple business-focused connections make the township a great ambassador for area business.
It’s not often that a municipality is the “star” of the show, but during the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Montgomery County recently took time out to do just that.
Horsham Township was a recent recipient of the chamber’s 2024 President’s Award. As a home to over 800 businesses and companies, the employment of over 32,000 people is available because of the welcoming nature of the community there.
In creating a master site plan for the office park, the Horsham staff wanted to find a way to “brand” its township. From this goal was born the Horsham tag line, “A Community Connected.”
Township Manager William T. Gildea-Walker said that the phrase had multiple meanings, including that the township is connected to its businesses.
“We are a hometown favorite for business,” said Gildea-Walker. “And we attract major companies and even small businesses to Horsham.”
Gildea-Walker said that the municipality often communicates with area businesses through its director of community and economic development.
“He does a really good job of connecting us and keeping a line of communication open with the business community,” said the manager, who also noted events such as Restaurant Week, social media features of new business, and frequent reaching out makes the connection even greater.
One of the newer features of the community, also aimed at assisting area business, is the “Hops” shuttle. The small bus runs routine service between the Fort Washington SEPTA station and the two largest office parks in Horsham.
“We are very grateful for the Greater Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce for working with us in forming the Horsham Business Association,” said Gildea-Walker. “We find it extremely important that we have that local connection, that local support, that local lobbyist effort for our small businesses and companies in Horsham Township.”
It was the formation of the Business Administration that pushed the community into the spotlight for the chamber, which awarded its annual President’s Award to the township.
Check out the video presentation from the event, held earlier this month, thanks to the Chamber.
For more on the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Montgomery County, visit https://www.chambergmc.org/.
