Our Mission
To promote, advance, and stimulate economic health and vitality in the Downtown Chambersburg community.
Our Vision
Actively support local businesses, commerce, residents, and visitors in Downtown Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, to promote and establish the downtown area as the premier destination for living, working, and exploring.
Our Core Values
1. Inclusivity and Diversity: Embrace and reflect the diversity of downtown Chambersburg by creating opportunities for dialogue and learning with a variety of groups, including residents, business owners, property owners, the minority business community, young adults, and others.
2. Collaboration: Actively seek input and assistance from diverse groups and stakeholders in designing and implementing events and activities.
3. Community Development: Foster entrepreneurial and business skills among downtown and neighborhood residents to stimulate growth.
4. Partnerships: Collaborate with surrounding downtown neighborhoods, organizations, and stakeholders to achieve shared goals.
5. Sustainability: Ensure the long-term viability of DCI through strong governance, board development, and financial stewardship.
Who We Are
Downtown Chambersburg, Inc. (DCI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1986 as the Blue Ribbon Panel. Officially renamed to DCI in 1994, the organization focuses on driving economic development in downtown Chambersburg through recruiting and retaining businesses and executing programs that increase the appeal and improve the perception of our downtown. The charge for transformation is headed up by DCI President, Sam Thrush, and a board of 19 community leaders who live, work, and do business in Downtown Chambersburg. Our team is united upon a common belief in downtown and that its revitalization is critical to the quality of life of the greater Chambersburg area. Downtowns are the place to “be,” and we are excited about the future of Downtown Chambersburg.
We champion downtown revitalization by implementing the four points of the Main Street Approach:
Design: Enhance the physical and visual assets of the community to support transformation.
Economic vitality: Assist new and existing downtown businesses by creating a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and business owners to thrive.
Promotion: Support a buy-local experience through marketing and events designed to drive community members and beyond to our downtown.
Organization: Create a strong foundation for sustainable revitalization by cultivating partnerships, organizing community involvement, and providing resources for downtown businesses and patrons.
Over $100 million of investments have been infused into downtown Chambersburg over the past several years, with more planned soon. These investments leverage the existing cultural, historical, retail, and natural assets located in downtown.
About Chambersburg
Benjamin Chambers is credited with beginning the settlement of Chambersburg in 1730 around water mills in Conococheague Creek and Falling Spring Creek. Chambersburg was incorporated in 1803 and was designated the County seat at that time. Historically, Chambersburg is most widely known as a significant site in American history, being the only Northern city burned by the Confederate army during the Civil War in 1864.
Chambersburg is located in Franklin County, PA, part of the Cumberland Valley, with a population of 22,172 inside the Borough of Chambersburg and a total greater Chambersburg area population of 52,273. The town is next to the Appalachian Mountains and sits right outside of Caledonia State Park, which includes a section of the Appalachian Trail. Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD are within 100 miles of Chambersburg, and the town sits at the mid-point between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. As Chambersburg grows and develops, it is increasingly becoming an inviting place for young professionals, families, and retirees who desire the small-town America feel in a walkable community.
Your Partnership
We invite you to be part of downtown Chambersburg’s transformation! To get involved, contact us at 717-264-7101 or [email protected].
Our President
Samuel Thrush, AICP
Our Board of Directors
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- Jenna Kaczmarek, Chair – Patriot Federal Credit Union
- Alice Elia, Vice Chair – Franklin County Library System
- Emily Schuit, Secretary – i360 Property Management
- Mike Metz, Treasurer – F&M Trust
- Anne Finucane – The Foundry Art Market
- Sharon Coffman, Council Member – Borough of Chambersburg
- Jamia Wright – Borough of Chambersburg
- Guy Shaul – Borough of Chambersburg
- Stacy Mellott – The Stacy Mellott Group with Keller Williams Central PA
- Ann Wagner – Ludwig Jewelers Inc.
- Mike Rideout – Building Our Pride in Chambersburg
- Kelly Kozlowski – The Capitol Theatre
- Marcos Gonzalez – Patriot Federal Credit Union
- Amer Chaundry – Falafel Shack
- Downtown Business Council of Chambersburg
- Kendra Matusiak – REmix Design
- Melanie Hoffman – Noelker & Hull
- Erin Miskell, GearHouse Brewing Company
