The 2013 Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Membership Drive has been extended through the month of May.&nbsp; Due to increasing interest, the program will continue for three more weeks, through May 31.&nbsp; Initially, the special offers and promotions surrounding the Membership Drive were set to run for just through May 10th, but because phone calls and interest has increased we have decided to allow even more new Chamber members to participate.<br /> <br /> Benefits of joining the Chautauqua County Chamber include tools to increase profits such as Shop Chautauqua County Gift Checks and discounts on services; connections to new customers through networking events, sponsorships, and business promotion opportunities; representation where it matters through legislative events and advocacy; and information and new ideas including weekly updates, monthly e-newsletters, training and development, and guest speakers.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> New members who join during the drive will be entered into a drawing for a number of special prizes.&nbsp; The Chamber itself is offering substantial member benefits as prizes including a Sapphire GEM sponsorship ($1,000 value), membership paid for the year (2014-15 dues), and two free Chamber event passes for the year ($216 value, excluding the Annual Banquet, Golf Tournament, and Community Chamber events).&nbsp; In addition, a number of Chamber members and friends of the Chamber have offered additional prizes.<br /> <br /> If you have not been contacted by a volunteer or a staff yet and are interested in joining the Chamber, please call one of our offices at 366-6200 or 484-1101 or <a href="https://www.wliinc28.com/chautauquanycoc/cwt/external/wcpages/join/index.aspx">join online</a>.</p>

The Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier was pleased this week to host Congressman Tom Reed and his Manufacturing Advisory Board.&nbsp; Congressman Reed serves on the House Manufacturing Caucus.&nbsp; The meeting included representatives from a number of manufacturing firms in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties as well as Jamestown Community College.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> The roundtable discussion included a variety of topics such as tax reform, federal regulations affecting business, utility costs, and workforce development.&nbsp; In addition, participants were able to tour JCC&rsquo;s Manufacturing Technology Institute.<br /> <br /> Todd Tranum, Executive Director of MAST and President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce said, &ldquo;We look forward to working with Congressman Reed as the House Manufacturing Caucus develops.&nbsp; This is a great opportunity for manufacturers in our region to have a voice in policy decisions that affect local companies.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Congressman Reed was elected to the new 23rd District of New York last November following Congressional redistricting.&nbsp; He previously served in the former 29th District.&nbsp; A native of Corning, he built a private law practice and other businesses dealing with real estate and mortgage brokerage.<img alt="" style="height: 263px; float: left; width: 350px;" src="http://www.chautauquachamber.org/external/wcpages/wcmedia/images/Tom%20Reed%20group%20photo%20web%20size.jpg" /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Shown L-R are:&nbsp; Greg DeCinque, Jamestown Community College; Rex McCray, Weber Knapp; John Stahley, Dresser Rand; Congressman Tom Reed; Todd Tranum, Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier; John Osborne, Cummins Inc.; John Zabrodsky, Advanced Manufacturing Technology; and Marilyn Zagora, Jamestown Community College. <div></div>