The proof is always in the final budget, but Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State Address this past week included a proposal for $100 million in tax relief for small businesses. That’s a good start, but as always, the initial plans look like a mixed bag of benefits and challenges.

Accelerating tax cuts for the middle class and focusing on workforce development are also welcome news from Albany. The Governor rolled out a plan to create the Office of Workforce and Economic Development, with an aim of expanding access to apprenticeships and the state’s technology pipeline. Additional economic development initiatives include a state initiative to attract and support industries that provide essential supplies to manufacturers, a $1.3 billion investment in New York-grown agricultural products, and investments in food manufacturing and processing. Infrastructure and transportation improvements were included in the Governor’s message, along with investments in childcare, all of which will benefit both employees and employers statewide.

The governor’s call for annual reviews of the state’s minimum wage tied to the Consumer Price Index is an interesting twist. Employee costs must be sustainable for businesses, and we have already seen how once the state sets the threshold, the market takes over without a need for annual adjustments by the state. The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce has always favored a meaningful federal minimum wage rather than a state-by-state decision.

At the same time, the state remains focused on adopting recommendations from the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The environmental goals are laudable, but they also stand to create confusion and hardship in a transitional time as New York moves to phase out fossil fuel heating equipment despite the fact that our electric infrastructure is not ready to manage a spike in use.

New York state must work to retain and attract businesses of all sizes and in all economic sectors in order to stem the population losses we have experienced in recent years. We hope the state legislature will carefully review any and all proposals to determine their true impact before finalizing a budget this year.

CHAMBER SHOPLOCALCHQ GIFT CARD TRANSITION

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce has offered a Gift Card program since 2017. Now, some of those earliest cards that were sold have reached an expiration date. While the plastic card itself is expiring (much like any debit or credit card), the funds on the card do not expire. So, if there is still a dollar value on your card above $5, the value remains the same and we can transfer your balance onto a new card.

The Chamber of Commerce urges all cardholders to check their cards. If the card is the new blue and white version that says “ShopLocalCHQ Gift Card” the card remains valid, and you may use it at any of more than 165 merchants throughout Chautauqua County.

If the card has an image of a family on the front and says “Shoptauqua” you will find that the date on the back of the card has expired. The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce can transfer the balance on your old card to a new card. To do this, you will need to turn in the old card to our office.

The Chamber is working to make these transitions as simple as possible for cardholders. Our office at 300 North Main Street in Jamestown is open 8am-4:30pm Monday-Friday. Our office in the JCC North Training Center at 10785 Bennett Road in Dunkirk will be open Monday-Wednesday 8:30-4pm, starting Monday January 23 and running through the month of February. We also welcome appointments at either office. To make an appointment call the Chamber at (716) 484-1101, ext. 201.

The ShopLocalCHQ Gift Card makes a great gift for any occasion: holidays, birthdays, or as bonus or incentive for employees. The recipient can use it for dining out, shopping, household items, groceries, or more, or at some local attractions in Chautauqua County. The card is available in any denomination from $5 to $500 and is sold only through the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce. To learn more visit www.shoplocalchqcard.com.

The ShopLocalCHQ Gift Card is issued by Pathward, N.A., Member FDIC. Funds do not expire. Non-reloadable and no cash access. For Cardholder Agreement or Customer Service: www.getmybalance.com or 1-833-558-1088.

DOORS OPEN JAMESTOWN IS JANUARY 28

A myriad of attractions in the Jamestown region are once again pleased to host Doors Open Jamestown, Saturday, January 28. This event provides a free day at local museums and attractions. Launched many years ago to encourage local people to visit the numerous museums and attractions available in the community, in a time that is normally a slow tourism season, Doors Open Jamestown has become a highly anticipated day for the participating organizations as well as for their guests.

Our region is fortunate to be the home of so many extraordinary attractions, and many of them are in the immediate Jamestown area. Seventeen attractions are participating this year, featuring something for everyone including art, nature, sports, theater, history, and more. These amazing facilities look forward to this incredible open house day as they welcome area residents to see what they have to offer: Audubon Community Nature Center, Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame, DAR House, DoubleTree Jamestown, Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Center, James Prendergast Library, Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, Lucile M. Wright Air Museum, Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown, Martz-Kohl Observatory, Marvin Community House, National Comedy Center, Northwest Arena, Pearl City Clay House, Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, Robert H. Jackson Center, Roger Tory Peterson Institute. The National Comedy Center and Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum require pre-registration with additional details to be posted on their website. Northwest Arena will offer free public skating from 1-3:30pm (new time).

The Chamber of Commerce is running a Doors Open Jamestown text contest at all participating attractions, and at several local businesses that have chosen to participate. Look for text contest instructions at each venue and find more information online at www.jtny.events. Contest prizes include items donated by all the local participating attractions.