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CHQ Chamber Launches New Name and Look

With a focus on innovating, unifying the business community countywide, and building community, the Chautauqua County Chamber of commerce Thursday unveiled a new name, logo, and colors. CHQ Chamber reflects the work we do. We are the Chamber of Commerce for all of Chautauqua County, and this new brand is dedicated to telling that story. Ever since I started at the Chamber three years ago, I have gotten the question, ‘Which Chamber of Commerce do you work for? Is it Jamestown, or Dunkirk, or Chautauqua County?’ We are one Chamber of Commerce. Throughout our more than two-decade ...

Local Economic Development: How grants work

A lot of community grant awards have been made for local projects in recent years. Most people celebrate these announcements. However, no matter what projects are funded, some complain that the funds would be better spent on something else, like filling potholes. That’s not how grants work. A grant is one way organizations get money to fund a specific proposal. The best thing about a grant is it is not a loan. Grant money is not expected to be paid back. To get a grant an organization has to compete against many other organizations. They all have to submit an application that is ...

It’s Prime Time to Shop Locally

Let’s face it, major international retailers sometimes come up with great marketing gimmicks. This coming week’s designated shopping holiday being widely advertised by one online corporation is a prime example of that. Call your sale something interesting, offer some discounted prices, promote it broadly across all types of media featuring big stars in your video ads, and watch the buyers flock to your site to spend money. You can do all that when you are a multi-billion-dollar company. But what about the small retailers? They don’t have those resources. Maybe they can generate a ...

America’s Entrepreneurial Spirit is Alive and Well

The US Small Business Administration was formed over 70 years ago as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business to strengthen the nation’s economy. Through the SBA help has been made available in a variety of forms for small businesses, including formation of the Small Business Development Center. We are fortunate to have an SBDC office right here in Chautauqua County with a capable staff of advisors to help answer questions, get entrepreneurs on the right track, and help keep them there. Whenever we are asked ...

County OKs projects at airports

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County officials are moving ahead with improvements at the county airports in both Jamestown and Dunkirk. During the county legislature meeting, officials approved a project to replace two existing bi-fold hangar doors with new electric bi-fold doors at the Dunkirk airport. The cost is $508,120. Of that amount, the state will pay for 90% and the county is responsible for the remaining 10%. The legislature also approved a project to improve the restaurant and replace the heating system in an existing terminal at the Jamestown airport. This project will cost ...

The Chamber is rebranding! Join us for a first look.

Join us for some big news! The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is rebranding, and we hope you’ll join us to get a first look at our new look! We will hold a Brand Launch Party Thursday, July 18 from 4-6pm at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, 311 Curtis Street, Jamestown. Everyone’s invited! For the past several months our Board of Directors and staff have had the privilege of working with the Mr. Smith Agency in Buffalo on a new brand. This work included an in-person discovery session with lots of time for discussion about our values and goals, and several follow-ups to ...