The new Live CHQ Campaign has us pretty excited! Not only does it portray Chautauqua County as a great place to live and work, behind the scenes there are specific plans to push out this fantastic new marketing video in a variety of ways to a variety of audiences.

The County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency and the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth have leaned into the need to attract not only new businesses to our county, but also a skilled workforce. Recruiting talented and skilled workers to Chautauqua County has been a challenge for a very long time. The new Live CHQ package is aimed at helping local companies and organizations in their recruitment efforts, as they can clearly and easily show off the low cost of living here, as well as the numerous cultural and recreational assets here that many of us take for granted.

The LiveCHQ.org website features a compendium of reasons why professionals would choose to relocate to Chautauqua County to enjoy a high quality of living and raise their families. In tandem with that, the ChooseCHQ.org site is aimed at providing businesses with a streamlined approach to starting up here or relocating here.

For the past few years, the Chamber of Commerce has taken on a strong role as a champion for local business. We take that so seriously that we built it into the mission statement crafted by our Board of Directors last year. Now, armed with some new tools from the Live CHQ campaign, we feel are even more energized around this conversation. Chautauqua County IS a great place to work, to own a business, and to find community support for local businesses.

There is no quick fix to years of declining population and out-migration of businesses in our communities, but we feel very comfortable now in saying that Chautauqua County is taking positive steps to build back a working-age labor force and improve our overall economic climate.

If you haven’t seen the video yet, please watch. It’s compelling, and we urge all local businesses, nonprofits, governments, and community groups to not only check it out but to share it broadly. Enthusiasm is contagious! It takes a full community to be a force for positive change. We have added the Live CHQ video and direct links to the websites to our homepage and shared them on social media. We hope you will all do the same.

Register Now for the State Legislative Breakfast May 10

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to once again host State Senator George Borrello and Assemblyman Andy Goodell for this interactive event, to be held Friday, May 10 at Chautauqua Suites in Mayville. The program will begin at 8:30am. We urge attendees to come a little early for the buffet breakfast, and also to come prepared with questions for our local state representatives.

The Chamber’s State Legislative Breakfast is sponsored by Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua Suites, DFT Communications, Jamestown Community College, Jamestown Mattress, LaBella Associates, Media One Radio Group, Observer, The Post-Journal, and UPMC Chautauqua Hospital.

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The price is $25 for Chamber members and $29 for non-members. Advanced registration is required. Please RSVP by May 6. You may register online through our web calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org.

Business After Hours at Music For Your Mouth May 15

Join us at Music For Your Mouth for a great networking opportunity as our next Business After Hours will be held Wednesday, May 15 from 5-6:30pm. Music For Your Mouth is located at 21 South Erie Street, Mayville.

The Chamber’s Business After Hours series allows you to stop in after work for appetizers and a cash bar, check our list to find our Who’s Who in the Rom, have a fun social time while making some great business contacts, and then move on with the rest of your evening. Be sure to bring business cards for networking and our door prize drawing.

Advanced registration is not required but is appreciated and will get you on the Who’s Who in the Room list. Business After Hours is free for two people from each Chamber member business. Anyone above the two-person limit, or non-members may attend for just $10 each.

Business After Hours at Music For Your Mouth is sponsored by Music For Your Mouth, Chautauqua Marina, Jamestown Community College, Media One Radio Group, Observer, The Post-Journal, and Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union.

Registration is open now through our online calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org. We look forward to seeing you there!

Not a Chamber Member Yet? Watch for Our Small Business Week Membership Offers

Each year the Chamber observes National Small Business Week with a special celebration held at a local small business, and by kicking off our annual membership drive with some special offers. This year will be no exception. We are working in conjunction with the Small Business Development Center at JCC on a Small Business Week recognition event to be held at Brigiotta’s Farmland Produce on Fairmount Avenue in Jamestown April 29.

In recognition of National Small Business Week, you can join the Chamber during our Membership Drive and get a $45 discount off your first-year membership at any of the Main Street levels. This offer is valid April 29-May 10 only. In addition, any business that joins during the drive will be entered into a drawing for a second year Main Street One tier membership free (a $195 value) or two tickets to the Chamber Annual Awards Banquet in October (a $125 value.) For more information call the Chamber of Commerce or see our website when the offers are posted April 29.