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.

New Year's Resolutions

Jan 1

Written by: Todd Tranum
1/1/2012 1:43 PM  RssIcon

For many individuals, the start of a new year provides an opportunity for renewed optimism and rededication to self-improvement.  The same is true for many businesses and organizations, as we look forward to growth and progress.
For the Chamber/MAST, our five point focus remains the same:  driving foot traffic into local businesses; increasing sales and reducing costs for our members; containing health insurance costs through pro-active solutions; advocating for positive change with a focus on reducing taxes; and supporting economic, workforce, and tourism development.  These items are at the core of our work plan because they are all significant for our members. 
As we work to driving foot traffic into our local businesses we will work to expand our successful Shop Chautauqua County Gift Check program.  Over 85 members participate in this program countywide.  We would like to expand the business participation and at the same time improve our gift check sales.  Over $110,000 in Gift Check sales this holiday season directly relates to support of our local economy in Chautauqua County. 
Member-to-member discounts also help to drive foot traffic into local businesses.  Because they understand the value of membership and in being connected with other local businesses, Chamber members often seek out other Chamber members when they are looking for support services. 
The Chamber offers a number of marketing opportunities for our members to help boost sales.  From Gem Sponsorships to web advertising, there are numerous value-added ways our members can market their products and services, while aligning with the Chamber brand to demonstrate a commitment to our community.  In addition, we are continuously seeking new ways to help our members reduce costs through informational seminars and events.
Our health insurance program continues to evolve to provide an even better array of services for members.  Through the Bright Choices Exchange, employers can control their costs, while employees have a broad range of options to meet both their coverage and financial needs.  In addition, the program has expanded to include additional employee benefits.  We will maintain a strong focus on these important products in the coming year in order to best serve the needs of all Chamber/MAST members.
With some successes in our advocacy work over the past year we resolve to work even harder this coming year to encourage government at all levels to right-size and reduce our tax burden.  Working locally, our plans call for increasing awareness of options for government consolidations and shared services in order to save costs and reduce the layers of taxing entities that hamper all property taxpayers.  In addition, by working directly with our elected officials, and with our partner Chamber and business associations statewide, we will press for program changes at the state level that will save money and make government more efficient. 
The Chamber/MAST also works closely with many organizations to support economic, workforce, and tourism development.  Some of our key partners include the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency, the Downtown Jamestown Development Association, the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau, Jamestown Community College, and the SUNY College at Fredonia Technology Incubator.  Working with these organizations we are proud to help tourism and economic development projects launch successfully and stay on track.  As a business association, our key focus is on improving the overall business climate in Chautauqua County.
Our affiliated organizations are all gearing up for an exciting year ahead including our Community Chambers in Dunkirk, Fredonia, Jamestown, Mayville/Chautauqua, Silver Creek, and Westfield/Barcelona with plans in the works for events and festivals countywide.  The Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier and the Manufacturing Technology Institute will dive head-on into the Dream It Do It program’s regional expansion efforts. 
During the coming year we will also role out plans for new communications tools to help our members become more active online and to better brand their businesses.  We are working diligently on both the high-tech and personal touches that our members want from their Chamber in this fast-paced business climate.  Watch this column for more information in the future. 
Our mission is to create a business environment where our members can thrive.  We invite you to join us on this adventure.  Happy New Year from all of us at the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce!

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