MILFORD - The Pike County Chamber of Commerce represented local business concerns regarding the possible 570 area code telephone number change in Pike County. The Chamber’s Executive Director, Danielle Jordan, gave a sworn testimonial statement before the Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) panel, which held a hearing last week, in Wilkes-Barre.
“Advocacy is an important part of what the Chamber does,” said Jordan. “Our local businesses were heard, loud and clear as a unified voice.”

Previously, in 1998, Pike County was changed from the 717 area code in a geographical area code split and was given the new prefix code of 570. According to the PUC, the 570 area code is projected to run out of numbers in the third quarter of 2011.

“You may think… what is the big deal? It’s just an inconvenience to adjust to a new phone number,” said Jordan. “Now please consider how many marketing materials that businesses advertise their contact information on. From the small item of a business card to expansive marketing campaigns with websites, commercials and billboards… all of this would have to be updated. This area code change would have a tremendous financial impact on our local Pike County business community.”

While the Chamber recognizes that with growth comes challenges, the option of an Overlay area code in addition to the 570 area code would ensure adequate numbering resources and could be the optimal solution. Jordan concluded, “In this current economy, when businesses are so stressed financially, having to spend a large amount of money just to stay status quo is an unfair burden.”