Support our local economy this holiday season
As part of its core mission, the Chamber of Commerce focuses on driving foot traffic into local businesses and helping them to increase their sales.
If each shopper made a concerted effort to seek out and shop at even one or two local businesses the economic impact would be tremendous. For every $100 spent, $65 to $85 stays here in Chautauqua County in contrast to the $0 that stays in Chautauqua County when you make a purchase online or in a store elsewhere.
In fact, if all 24,000 employees working for Chamber member businesses spent $50 with locally owned businesses in a single month, that would total $1.2 million spent. If, on average, 68 percent of that was reinvested by the local business, it would amount to $816,000 back into our local economy. Over the course of a year that could total $10 million a true economic stimulus!
A number of local communities recognize the significance of local spending to boost our economy. Banners were recently hung in over a dozen towns to designate Shoptauqua Week and to support the "buy local" movement. But even after those banners have been taken down the sentiment remains: we support our friends, neighbors and communities when we buy goods locally.
In order to encourage shopping locally, the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce offers a Shop Chautauqua County Gift Check program. Gift checks are available in $10, $15, and $25 increments and can be redeemed at over 80 participating Chamber member restaurants, retailers, salons, and more throughout the county.
So far this holiday season, the Chamber has sold about $50,000 worth of Shop Chautauqua County Gift Checks. This is a tremendous boon to our local economy!
Gift Checks are available at the Chamber offices at 10785 Bennett Road, Dunkirk or 512 Falconer St., Jamestown. If you need a large order please call ahead so that checks can be prepared for you. For more information call the Chamber at 484-1101 or 366-6200 or visit our website at www.chautauquachamber.org.
Chamber holiday mixer Dec. 20
Celebrate the holiday season with the Chamber of Commerce annual Holiday Networking Mixer! This event brings together Chamber members from around the county for an opportunity to network while enjoying this festive season.
This year's Holiday Mixer will be held at the Clarion, 30 Lake Shore Dr. East, Dunkirk on Thursday, Dec. 20 from 5 to 6:30 p.m., with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. It is being sponsored by DFT Communications, Lake Erie Regional Health System of New York, OBSERVER, and The Post-Journal.
The cost is just $8 per person for pre-registered guests or $10 at the door. To register, you can call the Chamber at 366-6200 or 484-1101, or register online at www.chautauquachamber.org.
Jamestown Chamber stuffed the buses for Hurricane Sandy victims
The efforts of the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce and a number of local partners sent two busloads of hurricane relief supplies to New York City last weekend. The project was the brainchild of Jamestown Chamber board member Bill Stevenson, whose wife runs Holiday Tours. With the tour buses slated to run to New York with empty cargo holds, it seemed like a good opportunity to take some needed supplies along.
Residents and businesses from all over the county participated in this bringing donations not just from the immediate Jamestown area but also from Fredonia, Mayville, and Chautauqua. In addition, the Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation, the Robert H. Jackson Center, and the Reg Lenna Civic Center agreed to be collection points for donated cleanup items, household supplies, and non-perishable food and personal items.
Jamestown Chamber Coordinator Marty Idzik said, "It was really gratifying to see this quantity of donations. So many people downstate still need assistance after that huge storm. Every bit of help we can provide will bring them closer to returning to their homes."
The buses departed from Jamestown just after the Holiday Parade on Nov. 30 bound for New York City.
Chamber website for members only
If you are a member of the Chamber of Commerce you can log in on the Chamber's website to update your business or contact information, pay a bill, add a coupon to your landing page, or review a referral report to see how often your business has been viewed on the Chamber website or referred on the phone. If you need help logging in, please call the Chamber office at 484-1101 or 366-6200 or email cccc@chautauquachamber.org.
