Business does not begin and end at a line on a map. We noted that recently in a joint announcement with the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry about an event we are co-hosting at Audubon Community Nature Center. But it’s also true more broadly, among municipalities, counties, states, and countries. Tariffs are likely to cause significant harm to our local economy.

Business organizations almost across the board are opposed to tariffs. The US Chamber of Commerce has specifically urged a “swift end” to 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico. These tariffs will undoubtedly harm local businesses, notably manufacturers, agriculture, and construction, but also our small businesses and hospitality industry.

The National Association of Manufacturers has noted that one-third of all US imported manufacturing inputs come from Canada and Mexico, and that a 25% tariff on those countries will add an estimated $144 billion a year to the cost of manufacturing in the United States. But it’s not just manufacturing that will take a hit from tariffs. Almost all businesses will feel the economic impact.

The US Chamber of Commerce has noted that Mexico and Canada are the two largest individual trading partners with the United States. The total of US goods traded with Canada was an estimated $762.1 billion in 2024, while goods traded with Mexico were estimated at $839.9 billion. These goods support 13-million American jobs. In 2022, New York businesses exported nearly $106.3 billion worth of goods overseas supporting approximately 2.8-million jobs in the Empire State. Canada is one of New York’s largest trading partners, with total trade between New York and Canada reaching $42.6 billion in 2022.

Locally, we’re aware manufacturers source raw materials like steel and aluminum out of Canada, and some plants have sister facilities or other suppliers in Mexico and Canada who will have major disruption to their processes. Other industries will be impacted by reciprocal tariffs, such as a local juice processor who ships a large amount to China, and whose single largest customer is in Canada. Retaliatory tariffs on their exports to Canada and China will increase the cost to their customers, forcing hard decisions that may have a major impact on their bottom line. Small businesses are not immune to negative consequences of tariffs, with a restaurant sharing they expect costs on packaging items from containers, to straws, to parts and equipment that may not be produced domestically.

Western New York, including Chautauqua County, has a robust tourism economy, with thousands of tourists coming here annually from Canada. At the Peace Bridge alone, border crossings from Canada to the US have dropped by 11% since the tariff talk began. A neighboring ski area in Cattaraugus County saw a 25% decline in Canadian tourist traffic this winter. Just last year tourist traffic in this region bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, and now that is jeopardized. That potentially means fewer dollars for hotels, restaurants, attractions, and retail spending in our communities. Small businesses especially operate on thin margins and are reluctant to increase prices on their friends and neighbors.

We join the calls by the National Association of Manufacturers, the US Chamber of Commerce, and more regionally the Buffalo Niagara Manufacturers Alliance and the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier to end the tariffs and seek a more stable and predictable business environment to promote economic growth.

Women in Networking: Child Care Impact on Workforce

The Small Business Development Center, Community Bank, and the CHQ Chamber are proudly partnering on the next Women in Networking Event with the focus on Child Care Impact on the Workforce. This event will be held Thursday, March 13 and is open to everyone. You are encouraged to attend to learn more about childcare trends and strategies currently affecting the workforce. Many Chautauqua County employers have Many Chautauqua County employers have indicated childcare is a main barrier for potential hires impacting their employee recruitment, retention, and productivity. Now there are some new strategies and initiatives to help.

The presenters will be Beth Starks and Susan Marker. Beth is the founding consultant with Flourish Leadership Consulting and Executive Director of the Chautauqua Lake Child Care Center. As a consultant and leader in the non-profit and early childhood education sector she has provided inspiration and educational opportunities for thousands. She has also operated her childcare business for almost 20 years. Susan is the Child Care Council Director for Chautauqua County. She has a wealth of experience in both nonprofit and for-profit management. She began her career at Chautauqua Opportunities.

This event will be held at the Small Business Development Center at JCC, 241 James Avenue (Carnahan Center). The luncheon will begin at 11:30 at a cost of $19. The presentation is from noon-1pm. Please bring business cards for networking. Preregistration is required. For detail email sbdc@mail.sunyjcc.edu.

Hanover Committee to Hold Sip & Celebrate

The CHQ Chamber’s Hanover Committee invites local businesspeople to a special evening of networking and camaraderie at Merritt Estate Winery in Forestville, Thursday, March 13. Sip & Celebrate is a fun way to close the winter season and mingle with other regional businesspeople. There will be complimentary snacks from Merritt Estate Winery along with pizza from Villaggio Italiano, and a cash bar from the winery. There will be a 50/50 drawing and some prize raffles. There is no charge for Chamber members. For non-members the cost is $10. Advance registration is appreciated for planning purposes. You can register online through the Chamber’s web calendar at www.chqchamber.org.

Chambers to Hold Collaborative Event at Audubon

Audubon Community Nature Center, located at 1600 Riverside Road, Jamestown, will host the CHQ Chamber and the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry in a collaborative Business After Hours Event, on Thursday, March 20 from 5-6:30pm. This event will be a preview for Audubon Lights, which kicks off its three-weekend run the following evening. Audubon Lights features a half mile-long trail of lights after sunset including luminaries on the trail edges, illuminated trees, and special light displays at various points along the trail.

All local businesspeople are invited to attend this special networking event, which will include complimentary appetizers and beverages, with tips to benefit the Audubon Community Nature Center’s mission of connecting people to nature. Bring business cards for networking and door prize drawings.

CHQ Chamber member organizations can send two people free of charge to all Business After Hours events. Non-members or anyone above the two-person limit will be $10. Registration for CHQ Chamber members is open online now through the Chamber’s web calendar at www.chqchamber.org. Members of the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry should email Savannah Casey at szimmerman@wccbi.org to register free of charge. Advanced registration is strongly encouraged by March 14.

Business After Hours at Audubon Community Nature Center is sponsored by Anchor Advisors, DFT Communications, Jamestown Community College, Kinetic Business, Media One Radio Group, Northwest, Observer, The Post-Journal, Southern Tier Brewing Company, Superior Tire & Rubber Corp., United Refining Company, and Whirley DrinkWorks!