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 Very Good Year for Chamber/MAST

Dec 23

Written by: Todd Tranum
12/23/2011 3:05 PM  RssIcon

 

As 2011 draws to a close in the next week, we are taking a look back at our progress over the past year. Some significant Chamber/MAST initiatives have made tremendous strides and we are delighted to share those successes with our membership and with the entire community.
On the public policy front there have been a number of key changes that will be meaningful in the years ahead. 
Here in Chautauqua County, the Chamber/MAST led the advocacy drive for a reduction in the size of our County Legislature. After a number of false starts, the measure was put on the ballot, and Proposition One was overwhelmingly approved by county voters during the November election. This is a tremendous step forward for our County government. The reapportionment process will take a little time, yet, and the actual reduction in the size of the Legislature will take effect in January of 2014. We congratulate the voters of Chautauqua County who approved this measure which will save money and create a more efficient system of government. 
At the state level there have been a couple of key successes this year. First, state lawmakers and Governor Cuomo enacted a tax cap which requires that all property tax increases be kept at 2-percent or under. This is an important step towards fiscal responsibility for all governmental entities in New York State, as it will lead to necessary program reform and spending cuts.
Just two weeks ago, our state leaders also agreed on a plan to restructure the tax code and create jobs in New York State. As a result, the corporate franchise tax for manufacturers and the MTA payroll tax for small businesses will be reduced, and middle-income New Yorkers will see their first tax cut in over 50 years. The package will also create a $1-billion fund to rebuild the state’s infrastructure, putting state residents to work and supporting projects in the new regional Economic Development Plans.
We are tremendously proud that our Dream It Do It initiative will be growing substantially, thanks to a $500,000 grant included in the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council strategic plan. Dream It Do It is a national program developed by the Manufacturing Institute which promotes advanced manufacturing and careers offered in advanced manufacturing. Additional funding will allow for the expansion of the program, which now serves Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties, to encompass Erie and Niagara as well. 
2011 brought a new partnership to the Chamber and its members. SellingHive, a start-up business in the SUNY Fredonia Technology Incubator, entered into an affiliate agreement with us to help provide a new and unique sales tool for our members. SellingHive is a second generation social networking site that connects companies and sales professionals in a secure Internet environment to grow sales. Through January 31st, Chamber/MAST members can enroll in SellingHive and get their first year for free. 
Our on-going affiliation with the Bright Choices Exchange is in a growth mode. Our partnerships with Liazon and Univera are stronger and we have devoted additional staff resources to this program and our Bright Choices contracts have increased. Now, in addition to traditional medical, dental, and vision plans, Bright Choices is offering a full range of employee benefits including access to Health Savings Accounts for qualified plans, supplemental accident and critical illness coverage, life insurance, disability and long-term care coverage, and Flexible Spending Account programs. 
As we continue to focus on driving foot traffic into local businesses, our Shoptauqua Gift Check program topped the $1-million mark this past year. During this holiday season alone, we have sold more than $100,000 worth of Gift Checks. This is revenue that goes back into the pockets of restaurateurs, retailers, and service people right here in Chautauqua County – creating our own local economic stimulus plan!
With the ever-growing Internet presence in our lives and businesses, the Chamber continues to seek new ways to communicate with our members. Our membership database is now on line for easy viewing when someone is seeking a Chamber member business. Our monthly VOICE newsletter is now on line as well and our presence is growing on Facebook. 
Despite a challenging economic climate our membership has remained steady and our community chambers in Dunkirk, Fredonia, Jamestown, Mayville/Chautauqua, Silver Creek, and Westfield-Barcelona are flourishing. We are proud to be a countywide Chamber of Commerce that has active participation at so many community levels. Because of this structure, we are able to operate efficiently and still provide a tremendous level of service and benefits for our members. 
Collaborations with sponsoring businesses throughout the year make it possible for us to provide a wide variety of events and marketing opportunities for Chamber members including business training programs, social networking, and award and recognition programs. In addition, we are fortunate to have strong relationships with so many other organizations in our county including the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Association, the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau, local development organizations, the SUNY College at Fredonia, and Jamestown Community College.
As we close this year, I would like to thank the many board members who have diligently overseen the work of the Chamber/MAST in the past year. Their leadership has helped our organization to remain strong. From all of our staff and board, we send a heartfelt Season’s Greetings to everyone in Chautauqua County!

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