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2022 report from the Chamber of Commerce

The work of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is focused on our mission: to create a business environment in the region where our members can thrive. Building that environment requires planning, communication, and implementation of events and programs that deliver services for our local businesses. Over the past couple of weeks, we have looked back at how we serve Chamber member businesses, and our entire business community in Chautauqua County, and come up with some substantial numbers. Attendance at Chamber of Commerce functions was strong in 2022. 1,025 people attended ...

The Chamber reflects on a positive year

During our recent Christmas luncheon, the Chamber of Commerce staff spent a few minutes reflecting on some of the positive moments from the past year. Numerous events came to mind, and the staff noted some internal goals we have achieved as well. 2022 was a strong year for Chamber events, and many of them created strong memories. In April, the Chamber had planned our annual State Legislative Breakfast for a time when we all anticipated the state budget to be finalized and our local lawmakers available. But the budget negotiations ran long, and our staff had to pivot quickly as it ...

Reininga plans to retire in May from Lake Shore Bank

Daniel P. Reininga, president and CEO of Lake Shore Bancorp, Inc., announced his plans Thursday to retire in May after serving 29 years with the bank, including 12 as chief executive officer. Reininga, 64, took the helm in 2011 when the bank’s assets were $488 million and grew them to ...

Get all the benefits from your chamber membership

When you join the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce there are all kinds of benefits available to your business. As part of your year-end (or soon-to-be new year) review, we hope you’ll include a review of how you have used your Chamber member benefits this past year and how you might be able to use them even more in the year ahead. For consumer-centered businesses some of the easiest and best Chamber benefits you can use are the ShopLocalCHQ Gift Card and our online marketplace through Shop Where I Live. At the top of the Chamber’s Five Point Focus is a pledge to drive foot and ...

A good personal, business motto: Keep leaning forward

In the local business community, we have a lot to learn from one another. Just a year ago Ben Webb from Webb’s Captain’s Table in Mayville joined the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. In one of our earliest conversations, he shared a phrase that I believe is something of a personal and business motto: Keep leaning forward. We have carried that with us, as 2022 has been a year of leaning forward for the Chamber of Commerce. As we emerged from the pandemic to hold a robust calendar of events, we have seen a return of strong attendance, new connections, and great friendships ...

Revenue, Rosas spending focus of budget chatter

Travel and discretionary spending by Mayor Wilfred Rosas, and the status of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, were prominent talking points at the Dunkirk Common Council’s final scheduled budget hearing this week. Rosas made what he said was just his second appearance at a budget ...