By TODD J. TRANUM

President and CEO of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce & Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier

As Chautauqua County continues to seek restoration of its Essential Air Service, the Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier are asking local business people and residents to make their voices heard.

At a time when tourism is increasing in our region and manufacturing is thriving, it seems to be in everyone’s best interest to provide a variety of transportation resources, including air travel. Tourism spending in Chautauqua County exceeded $262 million last year: the same year that the National Comedy Center opened for business bringing visitors from all over the world to our communities. In addition, attractions such as Chautauqua Institution, Lake Erie Wine Country, and natural features that make this area attractive for all types of recreation from fishing to boating to skiing and golf, bring a wide variety of visitors from all over to our county. As for other business sectors, manufacturing remains a key source of employment representing 19% of our workforce. Our manufacturing economy here relies on trade from all over the world with international companies as well as smaller local firms that sell products to broad markets. Manufacturers in Chautauqua County produce $5.1 billion in shipments annually, and those companies are doing business far and wide.

The public and private sectors have joined together to propose a plan that would once again provide passenger air service to and from the County Airport at Jamestown. Chautauqua County and Boutique Airlines filed the proposal with the US Department of Transportation in September. The comment period on that proposal remains open, but so far the comments have been few. We strongly encourage local business people from all economic sectors to make their voices heard on this proposal. You can do so through the federal regulation website at www.regulations.gov and search for the proposal under the docket number DOT-OST-2003-14950-0131. Admittedly, it is not the most user-friendly website, but it’s important never the less.

In addition, those who would expect to make use of the service through business air travel or tourism are encouraged to consider a sponsorship commitment that would help to ensure the success of renewed air travel to and from Jamestown. For more information, contact County Airport Manager Ron Almeter at (716) 661-8930.

Join Us for a Ribbon Cutting

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce welcomes one and all to attend the grand opening and ribbon cutting of our new office in downtown Jamestown on Friday, November 22. We will hold an open house from 1-3 p.m., with the official ribbon cutting set for 1:30. The new downtown Jamestown Chamber office is at 300 North Main Street at the corner of Third and Main. We will provide snacks and beverages. Reservations are not required, but appreciated so we know how many to expect. You can call our office at (716) 484-1101 or sign up through our online calendar of events.

Chamber Annual Meeting to feature Comedy Center update

All are cordially invited to attend the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce 2019 Annual Meeting, Friday, Dec. 6. This lunch time event will be held at the new DoubleTree by Hilton, 150 West Fourth St., Jamestown. Check-in begins at noon, with lunch and the program to begin at 12:30 p.m. The Chamber’s 2019 Annual Meeting will feature guest speaker Journey Gunderson, Executive Director of the National Comedy Center, with an update on how Chautauqua County’s newest attraction has been drawing visitors to our region and changing our community. Our guest speaker is sponsored by Media One Radio Group. The meeting will also include election of the Chamber board for 2020, and presentation of the Pam Lydic Coalition Builder Award.

The Chamber’s Annual Meeting is sponsored by DFT Communications, E.E. Austin & Son, Inc., Law Offices of Sheila Starkey Hahn, M & T Bank, Northwest Arena, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal, and WellNow Urgent Care. To register visit www.chamberrsvp.org or call the Chamber at (716) 366-6200 or (716) 484-1101.

Join us for Small Business Saturday!

Once again this year the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce has signed on as a Neighborhood Champion for Small Business Saturday, which is November 30, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It’s a great opportunity to support small, locally owned businesses, especially as the holiday shopping season begins. We will help to promote local businesses and help to run some local events for Small Business Saturday.

The Dunkirk Community Chamber is working with the City of Dunkirk to help promote a vendor fair, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the former JC Penney location at D&F Plaza on Nov. 30. The Chamber will be on hand to sell Shoptauqua Gift Cards which can be used at 150 Chamber member businesses countywide. There will also be music, food, face painting, and more for a fun-filled day.

The Fredonia Community Chamber of Commerce will have a Shop Small Welcome Station in the Information Booth on Barker Common on Small Business Saturday. There shoppers can pick up a Shopping Passport. Shoppers will need to visit at least eight of the businesses listed to be entered into a prize drawing. Small Business Saturday kicks off a week-long shopping event that leads up to the festive Miracle on Main celebration the following weekend in Fredonia.

The Jamestown Community Chamber will host a Visit with Santa Claus at the Chamber office at 300 North Main St., Jamestown, from noon to 2 p.m. on Small Business Saturday. There will be a coloring contest for kids as well as hot cider and snacks, and an opportunity to purchase Shoptauqua Gift Cards, as well as a chance to enter the Jamestown Up Close Shop Small Win Big drawing.