ROCKPORT — Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce (PBRCC) volunteers and staff toured the State of Maine Cheese Company as part of a new program to familiarize current PBRCC representatives with various Chamber member businesses.

Cathe Morrill opened the doors at State of Maine Cheese Company earlier this month to host an open house and tour of her store and facility.

Morrill purchased the Rockport property in 1996. Located at 461 Commercial Street (known as US Route 1), the business sells local wines, handmade items like knitwear, soaps, and lotions, general merchandise, meats and, of course, cheese — 75,000 pounds of cheese a year, to be exact — making her company one of the largest in the state.

Most of Morrill's cheeses are available to sample on a daily basis.

On certain days, visitors can watch the cheese being made (check www.cheese-me.com for times, as they vary). Group tours of the production area are offered all year.

For more information about the State of Maine Cheese Company, or to schedule a tour, visit their website at www.cheese-me.com. The retail store hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday though Saturday; closed Sunday.

PBRCC's two visitor centers, located in the Rockland and Camden harbors, are visited by tens of thousands each year. Volunteers donate their time educating visitors on what PBRCC members have to offer.

Chamber members who would like to schedule a volunteer tour of a business, or are interested in becoming a PBRCC volunteer, contact Carisa Carney at 596-0376 or carisa@penbaychamber.com. PBRCC is always looking for volunteers in its Camden and Rockland offices, according to a news release.

The third largest chamber in the State of Maine (and the largest chamber representing smaller, coastal communities), PBRCC is also one of the largest membership-driven community organizations in the area.

The Chamber represents the coming together of businesses, nonprofits, government, and citizens in support of a vibrant and growing region with unparalleled quality of life and quality of place. For more information, visit www.penbaychamber.com.