KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – In 1987, a group of local business owners formed a club called the Keystone Lake Region Business Association. The goal was to allow local business owners and managers to network with each other, share ideas and grow their businesses in the local area.

The group met last week to hear from city mayor Nine Rodenroth, and it allowed some to meet her for the first time.

“The Keystone Lake Region Business Association is a group of business owners and managers that get together monthly just to network with our businesses and to do things in the community,” said Clinton Gillen, organization president.

As of recent, the group just held its monthly meeting with Rodenroth.

“A lot of us don’t really know Mayor Rodenroth. So, we wanted to have a chance to know her and for her to get to know us, also,” Gillen said.

The meet-and-greet was at the Woman’s Club building. Local business owners had the opportunity to meet with Rodenroth and network with each other while enjoying a lunch that the Woman’s Club prepared. During the meeting, Rodenroth shared her past, statistics about the city and her plans for the city. She said one of her goals is to connect with the community and its people more deeply. She plans to launch a meet-and-greet with the community in the fall to hear their concerns. She also plans to meet with local business owners further to learn more about the issues in the community.

“My whole thing in taking this role is to have a presence in the community and to be relevant,” Rodenroth said. “If we don’t, we aren’t doing our job. I’m very committed to it, and I know my team is following in those footsteps as best with what they can do.”

The outcome of the meet and greet was a success, as local business owners were heavily engaged.

“I thought it was fantastic. Mayor Rodenroth is a great speaker and very knowledgeable. I really feel like we could’ve sat here and listen to her talk all afternoon,” Gillen said.

Throughout the meeting, business owners asked questions about community issues and projects. The group invited the mayor to return and speak again at a future meeting.

To learn more about the Keystone Lake Region Business Association, visit www.klrba.com.