CHATSWORTH : Chamber Selects Community Motto

As countries have their flags, and cities their emblems, Chatsworth now has its own motto--”Choose Chatsworth.”

The motto--adopted by the Chatsworth Chamber of Commerce as part of its new campaign to market the area--will be draped across storefronts on banners and blared from signs as early as next month, chamber Executive Director Mary Gemuendt said Monday.

The motto is part of the chamber’s plan to market the community as a place to shop, live or open a business, Gemuendt said.

“We thought if people really took a look they would choose Chatsworth, to locate a business in, to live in, because of the well-knit business community here,” said Dick Pearson, head of the chamber’s economic development committee.

The chamber is trying to raise funds to publish a marketing brochure to send out to prospective businesses, featuring the new slogan, Pearson said. “Choose Chatsworth” posters and mailing flyers will also be printed.

Pearson said it may seem odd for an unincorporated area to adopt a motto, but said Chatsworth is following the example of many larger communities that aggressively market themselves to tourists and outside businesses.

The marketing campaign is one of several steps that the chamber has taken recently in an attempt to counter what’s perceived as a poor business climate in Southern California, aggravated by recession and businesses moving out of state.