KAYSVILLE -- It was raining outside but words were glowing, inside, as Davis Chamber of Commerce officials and others spoke about its new offices, Thursday. A formal ribbon cutting was held at the new offices, housed in the Simmons Entrepreneurial Center, just west of the Davis Applied Technology College, in Kaysville. "This is a great partnership," said Bruce Davis, director of Weber State University Davis, and a longtime chamber officer and supporter.

"This is a place where we can make a difference, a place that combines business and government services. It's a place where we can trade on these strengths," he said.

He was among those selected by Chamber CEO Chris Dallin to randomly express feelings about the new offices, housed in the Simmons Center, which opened a couple of months ago.

Similar feelings were expressed by Mike Bouwhuis, president of the DATC, who praised the partnership and combination of services now available in one location.

"At one time I thought how nice it would be to get all the chambers (of commerce) together," recalled Wilf Sommerkorn, Davis County Community & Economic Development director.

"It worked," with the Kaysville, North Davis and South Davis chambers combining several years ago.

"We're all grateful for this facility," and how it can provide an economic impetus, he continued. Part of the facility's mission is to serve as a business incubator for fledgling businesses, while also offering a variety of services to assist those and other businesses in development.

"I love people," said Chamber membership director Shirley Bouwhuis. "It's your support that makes the chamber what it is. We have a terrific team."

Clipper News Editor Tom Busselberg spoke of how the creation of one, countywide chamber helped boost a unified county. "Who would ever have thought, years ago, that the Chamber would all be brought together as one?"

His first contact with the Davis Chamber CEO was when Dallin served as president of the old North Davis Chamber.

"This new facility, the unified chamber, the Conference Center, all show the growing unity and strength shown in the county," Busselberg added.

"We're a family driving change in the county," Dallin said.

Other speakers included Chamber chairman Stacey Fredrickson and chairman elect Todd Weiler, who spoke about the many and varied activities in which the chamber is involved.

The Chamber is open weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information call 593-2200 or visit the Web at davischamberofcommerce.com.

The Chamber joins a variety of agencies in the new 16,000 square-foot Simmons Business Center. The $2.2 million facility was funded entirely from donations, big and small. Demand for space is already so great a second such facility may be built in the future.