Jackie Kovach was visiting shops in Volant one day when she overheard a woman talking about a particular candle scent that she was having trouble locating. Ms. Kovach was off that day from her job as executive director of Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce, but she wasn't about to let a marketing opportunity pass her by.

Ms. Kovach told the woman that just a few miles to the northeast, in downtown Grove City, was Heaven Scent Candles and Gifts, where the owner mixes specialty scents and refills candle jars for customers. Kovach noticed that a few other people were listening, so she spoke a little louder.

As of Friday, promoting Grove City is no longer in the job description for Ms. Kovach, 41. She left the chamber, just 10 months after she came on board, to take an administrative position with Sharon-based Primary Health Network. But she believes so strongly in Grove City that she knows she will continue to market the town.

"It is a very, very nice community, a community that is growing," Ms. Kovach said. "I know that I'm from Mercer, but I get groceries in Grove City, I do errends here and I do Christmas shopping here."