Where can you get a 12 to one return on your initial investment? The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce.

When businesses work together through the local Chamber of Commerce, they all reap the rewards. That applies to tried-and-true offerings from the Chamber such as health and ancillary insurance products for groups and individuals, as well as some newer services such as the ShopLocalCHQ marketplace online and the popular Chamber gift card.

In its full 20 years of service to Chautauqua County businesses, the Chamber has provided a broad array of programs that serve businesses of all types and sizes. We do so by consistently following our Five Point Focus:

¯Driving Foot and Internet Traffic to Your Business

¯Increasing Your Business-to-Business Connections

¯Providing Cost Saving Solutions for Employee Benefits and Human Resource Compliance

¯Advocating for Positive Change with a Focus on Reducing Taxes

¯Supporting Economic, Workforce, and Tourism Development

Across Chautauqua County more than 900 businesses and organizations are part of the Chamber of Commerce because they see the value, not only in the programs, but also in the collective voice the Chamber provides. Over the past year the Chamber stepped up to provide crucial information and direction when businesses have needed it most.

Learn more about what the Chamber does for local businesses. Visit our website at www.chautauquachamber.org.

TUESDAY TALKS: VACCINATION CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

In its growing series of Tuesday Talks the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier are proud to present a panel discussion around the COVID-19 Vaccination – Challenges and Opportunities. This event will be held via Zoom Webinar at 8:30am, Tuesday, February 9.

Our panelists will include Chautauqua County Health Commissioner Christine Schuyler and Dr. James Sherry, Executive Director of the Chautauqua County Health Network. Additional panelists from the local medical community are still being confirmed.

This program is free to attend, but donations are welcome. It is sponsored by OBSERVER, The Post-Journal, and Univera Healthcare Southern Tier. Advanced registration is required, including an email for each attendee, so that we can send a direct link to join the meeting. To register visit the Chamber’s online calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org .

TUESDAY TALKS: STATE TAX COMMISSIONER TO REVIEW BUDGET ISSUES

Our Tuesday Talks series of webinars continues on Feb. 16 with Michael Schmidt, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. He will begin by reviewing the proposed Executive Budget for 2021-22 and will also answer questions from our members.

This event will be held at 8:30am, Tuesday, Feb. 16 and is sponsored by OBSERVER and The Post-Journal. Please register through our online calendar to receive the Zoom Webinar link.

Tuesday Talks is an opportunity for the Chamber to present special guests and topics of interest to the local business community. They will be held periodically as we schedule speakers. Please watch the Chamber events calendar on our website at www.chautauquachamber.org to stay up to date on all upcoming Chamber events. We always encourage participants to get up and out to support local businesses and get some takeout breakfast or coffee to enjoy while you view our online event.

FOLLOW THE RED BRICK ROAD FOR A VIRTUAL SCAVENGER HUNT

Even while some doors remain closed or restricted for local attractions, the tradition of showing off our myriad local museums, institutions, and recreational facilities goes on. Doors Open Jamestown will be held online this year, featuring a fun and engaging online scavenger hunt.

The theme is Follow the Red Brick Road. Viewers will have an opportunity to enter the scavenger hunt searching for Wizard of Oz themed items strategically placed in each video from each local attraction. There will be chances to enter each time you spot a special item in the video. The more entries you have the better your chances of winning a prize. Prize packages are being donated by the local attractions, in addition to Shoptauqua Gift Cards from the Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to the focus on non-profit attractions, this online event will highlight many of our local businesses. Watch for more details to be announced soon including links for viewing this unique event beginning at 12 noon, Saturday, Feb. 27. Viewing opportunities will be available on Facebook and YouTube.

SAFE AND HEALTHY PRACTICES WILL GET US BACK TO NORMAL

Wear a mask. Don’t gather in groups. Wash your hands. All of these routine practices have been drilled into our brains for many months. At the same time, we have seen an increase in coronavirus cases in Chautauqua County in recent weeks. Even as the COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out, it remains crucial that we all take precautions to keep our customers, employees, and families safe. The Chamber and MAST remain committed to communication that assists local businesses of all types as they continue to apply for loans and grants to help get through this most unusual time. We ask that the entire population do its part to keep our economy strong and community healthy. Thank you for doing your part.