‘Crazy growth’ prompts this Andover organization to find ways to help businesses

When the city of Andover made its most recent comprehensive plan, it listed the Andover Area Chamber of Commerce as a partner in economic development, which led chamber officials to a realization.

“We know we’ve got to really increase what we’re offering,” said Lori Cullum, president and CEO. “What could we do, realistically?”

The answer was twofold: business retention and expansion, and that led to the creation of the Andover Business Partnership.

It officially kicks off in April.

As Andover continues to grow, so does the chamber.

“It’s been crazy growth,” Cullum said.

She joined in 2022. That year and the next saw 25 new chamber members, and there were 40 in 2024 and 51 in 2025 for a total of 214 for the more than 40-year-old organization.

Cullum said the new partnership will strive to understand how it’s going for not only member businesses but all Andover businesses.

She said the group wants to learn what’s good for businesses and what areas might be a struggle in order to help connect people to resources.

There will be an action team of individuals who can partner with businesses to help.

The partnership is hosting three meetings in April for business people “to just come here and learn more.”

“We’re excited to be able to sit down and have those conversations.”

So far, Cullum said, it’s been a challenge to get business owners, whom she described as often humble, to talk about themselves.

She said the partnership can be an advocate for businesses but also help the chamber know better about how it can assist in other areas.

Cullum said the chamber has been working on the partnership for a year and “really researched to try and get it right.”

“We aren’t here to . . . really reinvent the wheel.”

A co-working hub

The chamber has another new initiative to help business owners.

The Hub Andover at 1034 N. Andover is a co-working space with a variety of offerings, from a few permanent office spaces — including an executive suite — hot desks and a conference room.

Cullum said a lot of business people work out of their houses but sometimes would like to be around others.

She said she hears people say, “I just want a place to go sit and work and be around other people.”

Also, at a time rent is especially high, the coworking space offers an alternative, she said.

The new 1,500-square-foot space is in use now, but Cullum said it won’t be completely built out until the chamber can determine what the last area of the building should be.

“We’re waiting to see what gets the most usage.”

So far, the 14-seat conference room is proving popular, and the hot desks are less so.

The permanent offices rent monthly.

Like the chamber in general, Cullum said, the Hub in particular is about “really trying to listen to what our members need.”

This story was originally published March 24, 2026 at 4:03 AM.