Our mission is to build vital connections, provide professional resources, and champion our local businesses in Chautauqua County. Wrapped up in all those key points – as a connector, a resource provider, and a champion – is advocacy. The Chamber of Commerce has always been a voice for local business and that includes using our voice to help make a difference in a variety of ways.

We have recently seen some great examples of local businesspeople coming together to raise their collective voice for a cause such as recent coordinated efforts in Falconer. Whether it’s a community safety issue or creating opportunities to keep our streets and sidewalks cleaner, businesses can play an important role in community improvement.

Among our key events each year are three opportunities for local businesspeople to meet directly with local elected representatives. Our State Legislative Breakfast with Senator George Borrello and Assemblyman Andy Goodell, and the County Executive Breakfast with PJ Wendel, were both held in the spring. The annual Congressional Breakfast with Representative Nick Langworthy is coming up this Wednesday at Shorewood Country Club in Dunkirk. These events all provide a chance for local people to raise questions for our elected officials. We see these experiences as a crucial part of what we do to not only bring business and community leaders together, but to air the issues that are meaningful.

Our business community is active and engaged in far more than just selling products or services. Small local businesses really do form the fabric of our communities. From restaurants to retailers to lodging, banking, and many other service providers, they are all key to creating an important sense of place. And the needs of those local businesses are important as well, making it crucial for the Chamber of Commerce to develop a platform for their policy and legislative concerns to be aired. We consider this legislative series of events to be one of the most meaningful services offered annually. These events are open to all – not just Chamber members. We hope you will consider joining us in the future to make sure a broad range of issues can be addressed in a professional way.

JOIN US FOR THE CHAMBER’S GRAND OPENING AUG. 31

All are welcome to attend the grand opening of the beautifully refurbished building at 300 North Main Street in Jamestown which serves as offices for the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce as well as a downtown visitor information center. This special celebration is planned for Thursday, August 31, with a ribbon cutting at 5pm followed by an open house until 7pm. The facility is owned by the Gebbie Foundation which has invested in a new facade and interior improvements to create a welcoming space for both tourists and local businesspeople and residents in the heart of downtown Jamestown.

We invite all guests to enjoy complimentary wine, beer, and spirits tastings from Johnson Estate Winery and Southern Tier Brewing Company, as well as a large charcuterie table from Mable Roads and sweets from Persnikkity Pies.

Registration is not required for this event, but we hope all local businesspeople and partner organizations will stop in to enjoy our newly renovated space!

HOPS & POPS IS

SEPT. 15

Our Community Chamber Committees in Dunkirk and Fredonia are holding their second annual Hops & Pops event September 15 at the Beaver Club in Fredonia. This event is open to the entire community and will be held from 5:30-7:30. Tickets are $20 per person and will get you beer and wine tastings, appetizers, as well as entries into the cash prize and other drawings to be held throughout the evening.

Hops & Pops is sponsored by Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Farrell Roofing, National Grid, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, KeyBank, DFT Communications, AHN Westfield Memorial Hospital, Cattaraugus County Bank, Community Bank, and HBKS Wealth Management. You can buy tickets through the Chamber’s web calendar at www.chqchamber.org. Proceeds support scholarship funds for the Chamber in Dunkirk and Fredonia.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT GRACE & ABE’S SEPT. 21

After a summer hiatus, the Chamber of Commerce is pleased to get back into the business of creating direct business-to-business connections. Our first fall Business After Hours will be held Thursday, September 21 at Grace & Abe’s 14 North Portage Street, Westfield. Join us from 5-6:30 p.m. for complimentary appetizers and a cash bar and remember to bring your business cards for networking.

This Business After Hours event is sponsored by Grace & Abe’s, AHN Westfield Memorial Hospital, DFT Communications, Jamestown Community College, Media One Radio Group, OBSERVER, and The Post-Journal. Chamber member organizations are invited to bring two guests at no charge. Non-members or any guests above the complimentary limit pay just $10 each. Registration is not required but is appreciated for our planning purposes. You can sign up through the Chamber’s web calendar at www.chqchamber.org.