This week, Niles celebrated a century of hard work, dedication, determination and tenacity.

These qualities, found in countless entrepreneurs throughout the Niles region today, are precisely the qualities that have allowed Niles to become the thriving, ever-growing community it is today.

As the Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce celebrated a century of commitment to the City of Four Flags, we celebrated hundreds of individuals who have made one common decision: investing in Niles.

This milestone marks not only the success of today’s business leaders, but the success of countless movers and shakers who have come before them.

As the old saying goes, there is strength in numbers. The adage is representative of chambers of commerce all over the country, as these entities have proven over and over again that strong entrepreneurs make for strong businesses, but strong business networks make for strong communities.

For a century, the chamber has provided support and guidance to businesses through trying times and thriving times. Our Chamber of Commerce has survived economic recessions, evolving business models, and changes in our community’s landscape. Through it all, the chamber has been a constant reminder that with good networking and marketing, businesses can and do thrive in our community.

At this week’s luncheon, I enjoyed celebrating the success of businesses and professionals like Muta Mwenya with Relevant Church and Atomic Bean Coffee, Stephanie Reno with SLR Pilates, Sandy Whitmyer with the Downtown Development Authority and many other local organizations, and Mark Weber and his team at the YMCA of Southwest Michigan. Leaders like these prove that the future of Niles is bright.

There is much talk these days about an upward swing in Niles, and as a lifelong Niles resident, I feel it, too. Like many of you, I have trekked the downtown area when more storefronts were empty than filled. I have traveled the S. 11th Street corridor and seen fields of weeds where businesses used to be. In the last year, however, it seems a new business announces its opening every other week — and businesses are sticking around.

In our business of publishing the news, we are typically focused on what is happening now and what is happening next. As the Greater Niles Chamber recognized former chamber presidents and board members and showcased many old photos of Niles, I was reminded that without those courageous business leaders who have chosen Niles for the last 100 years, we likely would not be where we are today. We stand on the shoulders of the business leaders who came before us. These individuals laid the foundation for a prosperous community, erected buildings that would eventually house many of today’s businesses and made Niles a destination that people from all over the region recognize.

We owe a lot to the Greater Niles Chamber of commerce, not only for its century of success, but for the 100 years to come.

I offer sincerest congratulations and thanks to every entrepreneur, volunteer, ambassador, board member and chamber staff member that has led our community to become the city it is today. Here’s to another century of thriving commerce.