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CHQ Chamber welcomes new members

The CHQ Chamber is always pleased to welcome new members, and the past month has brought a flurry of them. A broad variety of local businesses have joined since May 1, bringing our total membership to 916 across Chautauqua County. From Dunkirk we added Tastefully Simple. Hagan Business Machines from Erie, PA has re-joined the CHQ Chamber. From Falconer we welcome new members the Builders Exchange of the Southern Tier and Chautauqua Bargain Bins. Beyond Support Network and The Daisy Farm joined the Chamber from Fredonia. In Jamestown we have these new members: Always Open Design, ...

A Summer Focus On Supporting Small Business

The CHQ Chamber has a variety of events slated for the summer ahead – all with an eye toward our mission to build vital connections, provide professional resources, and champion our local businesses in Chautauqua County. As a countywide business association, the work we do must be focused on supporting our local businesses. That means providing some programming that helps to drive consumer traffic to local businesses and promoting them whenever we can. First Fridays in Westfield begin for the season June 6. For the third year in a row the Chamber has secured a permit from the State ...

IDA loan to help Gateway Lofts with environmental testing

A multi-million proposed housing project in the city of Jamestown is getting more help from the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency. Last year the Southern Tier Environments for Living was approved by the county IDA Board of Directors for a $325,000 low-interest loan from the IDA’s Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund for brownfield cleanup and redevelopment. On Tuesday, Rich Dixon with the county IDA, said the state Department of Environmental Conservation wants more environmental testing. Because of that, STEL requested an additional $275,000 loan. County IDA Chief ...

Summer is Coming! Make the Most of It!

There’s no doubt it’s been a wet spring here in Chautauqua County, but that’s about to turn around now and it’s time to get outdoors for all the projects and activities we plan for all winter. As the unofficial start of the summer season locally, Memorial Day weekend is a time to both reflect on the sacrifices of our service men and women, and also to gather with family and friends. If you’re planning a get-together this weekend and need a few things, we encourage you to shop locally, and you’ll find just the right item. Looking for a new grill or some outdoor furniture? ...

Official Introductions – a New Networking and Advocacy Opportunity

The CHQ Chamber is pleased to help local businesspeople connect with their elected representatives in a brand-new way. We have restructured our advocacy events this year to provide an improved experience for all involved. One of the new events we are trying out is an informal networking event designed to allow businesspeople to have one-on-one conversations with local elected officials during a program we’re calling Official Introductions. This reception-style event will be held at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, 10 Dunham Avenue, Celoron, Tuesday, June 17 from 5-7pm. The CHQ ...

An exciting Small Business Week!

What an extraordinary week it was! The CHQ Chamber team, sometimes joined by friends from partner organizations along the way, visited 500 small local businesses during National Small Business Week, bookended by two press events – one to officially proclaim Small Business Week in Chautauqua County, and the other to honor small businesses receiving awards from the Small Business Development Center. We began the week at 3 Lakes Café in Cassadaga where our hosts Jake and Abi Landean helped us usher in Small Business Week by greeting dignitaries and representatives from our partner ...