Growing Bridgeport chamber gears up for a fun-filled 2023

BRIDGEPORT – About a year ago the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce got a new president following some years of dormancy when Carlos Henriquez, the co-pastor of the Foursquare Wellspring of Life Church, resurrected the organization with the goal of bringing more cooperation and communication between the city, the business community, and its residents. A year on there has been progress – a successful Bridgeport Daze celebration last June and Santa Comes to Town near the Christmas holiday.

Word has gotten around the business community because at the first chamber meeting earlier last month every business owner in Bridgeport not only attended but also many are now chamber members.

Chamber members are already busy with the first event of the year, an Easter celebration and bike raffle in April.

“We held a special meeting last Tuesday (Feb. 28) and some of the city council members joined us,” said Henriquez. “We decided on Sunday, April 9, at 2 p.m. in Berryman Park.

Bridgeport Daze is on the radar for the first weekend of June.

We already have the application in,” said Henriquez, “and this year we’re applying for two days, Saturday and Sunday.”

A Mother’s Day observance is under consideration as another event with a specific date still under discussion.

Henriquez said communication between the chamber and council is much improved and chamber members hope to schedule more events at the city parks. Toward that end the chamber is hoping to source some professional marketing advice to help guide efforts to bring more attention to the city.

The city, on the other hand, is pursuing improvements on several fronts. A new RV park is welcoming travelers at Conklin Landing. A second water reservoir is nearing completion. Berryman Park is on the schedule for a major facelift. A parking lot and walking tour is in the works for the tree sculptures. The city is knee-deep into a new Community Revitalization Plan for the SR-173 corridor. So there is plenty to celebrate and plenty more in the wings.