Chamber In the Media

The Chamber Corner is a weekly column designed to keep the business community informed about relevant issues and information from the Chamber of Commerce and is available through the following links:

For Chamber updates on public policy issues, please read our blog postings below.

A Salute to Dr. Dennis Hefner

By Todd Tranum on 5/14/2012 7:18 AM
For the past sixteen years, Dr. Dennis Hefner has been not only a fixture in Chautauqua County, but a force. He has presided over the SUNY College at Fredonia with dedication and integrity, and has provided extraordinary leadership in the community as well.
For the Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Hefner was a key player in the formation of the countywide Chamber. He was a staunch supporter of forming the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, and he served on its first Board of Directors. 
As a SUNY Fredonia graduate who often returns to the campus for meetings, sporting events and entertainment, I look back over the years and can see and feel the positive change that has occurred during Dr. Hefner’s term. Since my graduation, the student population has grown and the campus has become even more connected with the community.
The Chamber News

Municipal Consolidation Forum Scheduled

By Todd Tranum on 5/7/2012 7:30 AM
For many years the Chamber and MAST have actively promoted the concept of municipal consolidation. Now we are pleased to see some additional support behind these efforts. 
On Tuesday, May 15 a question and answer session on municipal consolidation will be held for mayors and town supervisors. County Executive Greg Edwards has organized this event, which will be led by two officials from the New York State Department of State, Dierdre Scozzafava, Deputy Secretary for Local Government; and Kyle Wilber, Municipal Management Consultant. 
The Chamber News

Health Care Reform: Staying Ahead of the Curve

By Todd Tranum on 4/30/2012 7:15 AM
For the past four years the Chamber of Commerce has focused a great deal of energy behind helping businesses access health insurance.  We introduced the Bright Choices Exchange three years ago because we saw significant changes occurring within the insurance market and recognized the importance of delivering more value to our membership.  In the past two years we saw the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at the federal level and recognized that even more changes were on the way.  
In response to these changes, we not only reinvented our insurance program offerings but also made it a priority to work with our partners at the State level to stay ahead of the curve and engaged in the efforts by New York State to comply with the ACA.  We have had a lot of help in this. We have had the good fortune of being closely aligned with the Chamber Alliance of New York State (CANYS).  I currently serve on the board of this organization as well as Chair the Health Insurance Task Force.  CANYS has been pro-active in working with the Department of Finance & Insurance and the Health Department, as well as directly with the Governor’s office and leaders in the State Senate and Assembly, with a particular focus on the insurance exchange.  Through the CANYS organization Chambers of Commerce have benefited from a great deal of visibility within the health care reform discussion. As a result of our participation, the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and has been very visible on the specific topic of health insurance.
The Chamber News

Membership Drive Extended

By Todd Tranum on 4/23/2012 8:09 AM
The 2012 Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Membership Drive has been extended through the month of May.
Due to increasing interest, the program will continue for four more weeks. Initially, the special offers and promotions surrounding the Membership Drive were set to run for just six weeks through May 1st. Now, because phone calls and interest are on the rise, the drive will run through May 31, allowing even more new Chamber members to participate.
Volunteers working on the drive are: Lisa Lynde, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation; Larry Ludeman, DFT; Jason Ferguson, Maytum Company; Stacey Hannon, Jamestown Gazette; Steve Keefe, Village of Fredonia; John Bauer, Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame; Patti Jordan, KeyBank; LauraLee Hinman, KeyBank; Aaron Resnick, Village of Westfield; Ann Mason, Time Warner Cable Business Class; and Mark Summers, Jamestown Rubber Stamp Co. 
The Chamber News

Grow Your Business: Join the Chamber Today

By Todd Tranum on 4/16/2012 8:02 AM
The 2012 Chamber of Commerce Membership Drive continues through May 1st. There are many benefits of Chamber membership including: 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.  
The Chamber News

Sale of the County Home is the Right Move

By Todd Tranum on 4/8/2012 10:11 PM

Chautauqua County is on the right track in moving toward the eventual sale of the County Home in Dunkirk.  The facility has come a long way since its establishment as a “Poor House” in the 1830’s.  For many decades it has been a nursing home, and for over 25 years it has been accepting private pay patients – essentially competing with private nursing homes in Chautauqua County. 
Among the many issues at stake in the future of the facility include any impact on the county tax base, the level of care available to patients, and the impact on employees.  Each of these items is being addressed under a Request for Proposals issued by a firm which was authorized by the County Legislature to market the County Home for sale or lease.
As a fundamental principle, the Chamber of Commerce/Manufacturers Association is not in favor of establishing unfair competition that pits governmental entities against private sector business.  Such is the case with the County Home.  Because the entity has been essentially subsidized by the county, business and residential taxpayers have helped to provide a service that directly competes with local businesses.  The RFP requires that proposers continue to operate the County Home as a skilled nursing facility for at least ten years, give the County a say in how the facility can be run in the future, and also allows the county to reserve the right to reject all proposals if they are not in the best interest of the county. 

The Chamber News

State Budget Moves Toward Fiscal Responsibility

By Todd Tranum on 4/1/2012 7:09 PM

For the second year in a row, New York State is beginning the fiscal year with an on-time budget that controls spending with no new taxes.
The budget deal announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver limits spending growth to 2-percent or below to match the state’s 2-percent Tax Cap.  This is a serious move toward improving our state’s economy.
The state budget agreement also launches the New York Works Task Force to create jobs and invest billions to rebuild roads, bridges, parks, and other infrastructure.  The Task Force will coordinate capital plans across 45 agencies and authorities, and will oversee investment projects.
The budget also authorizes a second round of funding for the state’s Regional Economic Development Councils, including $220-million to implement regional strategic plans in new capital funding and tax credits.

The Chamber News

Speak Up Now to Save NRG

By Todd Tranum on 3/26/2012 7:39 AM
The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier are urging all local businesses and residents to make their voice heard to save NRG Energy’s Dunkirk plant. Plans to “mothball” the facility could result in a loss to our region of up to $40-million in tax revenue, high-paying jobs, and locally purchased goods and services.
The New York State Senate has approved legislation which would require the New York Power Authority to conduct an analysis of electric generating facilities in Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara Counties and to enter into power purchase agreements to keep them operating. That bill still needs approval in the State Assembly and must be signed by Governor Cuomo. To lend your voice to this effort, call or email Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver at 518-455-3791, speaker@assembly.state.ny.us and Governor Cuomo at http://www.governor.ny.gov/contact/GovernorContactForm.php.
The Chamber News

Chamber Launches 6-Week Membership Drive

By Todd Tranum on 3/18/2012 9:10 PM

Whether you’re organizing an event or advocating for change, the simple fact is that we get more done when we work together.  That is the true strength of membership in the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce.  Our membership is what allows us to be effective – in networking, in offering opportunities in health insurance and employee benefits, and in creating a strong voice around public policy issues that impact businesses in our county.
There are many benefits of Chamber membership including:  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. 

The Chamber News

Social Media for Business is More Than Just Facebook

By Todd Tranum on 3/12/2012 9:04 AM
To many people, the term “Social Media” equates to Facebook and Twitter. In reality, it goes much further than that – truly speaking to a type of networking that used to happen only face-to-face and now happens digitally. For social media to be effective for business, it requires a new type of strategic thinking, and an integration of business websites with Facebook, Twitter, blog sites, YouTube, LinkedIn, Google+, and more. That doesn’t even speak to the issue of online sales, through a variety of sites, or the fact that much of this networking now occurs on tablet computers and phones.
While some businesses have embraced these new technologies, others fear it. But the Center for Continuing Education and the Small Business Development Center at Jamestown Community College are working to help business people cut through the e-clutter and figure out how to make social media work in their favor.
The Chamber News