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Wrap up and shop locally

Whether you shop in person or online there has never been a better time to support small locally owned businesses. Now it is easier than ever to shop safely and still support small locally owned businesses. Visit ShopLocalCHQ.com – a new online marketplace that features more than 60 local businesses offering a wide variety of over 300 products and services. This new tool provides a safe and convenient way for shoppers to purchase unique and special gifts directly from small businesses. New businesses and products are being added to the marketplace often, so we encourage shoppers to check for new product offerings.

Shop Safe. Shop Small. Shop Local. Visit ShopLocalCHQ.com. Please support our locally owned small businesses during the holiday gifting season and all year round.

SAFE AND HEALTHY PRACTICES WILL GET US BACK TO NORMAL

Wear a mask. Don’t gather in groups. Wash your hands. All of these routine practices have been drilled into our brains over the past several months. The fact is, we need these reminders now more than ever. With an increase in Coronavirus cases in Chautauqua County and in all adjacent counties in recent weeks it is imperative that we all take precautions to keep our customers, employees, and family members safe this season.

2020 has been a challenging year for businesses, and we were poignantly reminded this week that there are some businesses and organizations right here in our own communities that have not been able to offer programs and services for many months. Our theaters have been especially hard hit. The 1891 Fredonia Opera House, Lakeshore Center for the Arts, Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown, the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, and others, have offered some programs online but have not been able to fill seats for live programming or movies for more than nine months. These historic theater venues are normally filled with vibrant holiday programming at this time of year, yet they remain dark this season. These organizations are vital to the economic health of our communities. We want them to remain viable and to be able to bring back programming and audiences in the months ahead.

The arts and live entertainment have always been an active driver for our local economies. Fortunately, there are things we can all do to ensure that they remain vigorous in the future. Wear a mask. Don’t gather in groups. Wash your hands. A strong economy requires a healthy community. It’s that simple. Thank you for doing your part.

CHAMBER AND MAST ANNUAL MEETING IS JANUARY 22

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier will hold a joint Annual Meeting on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, featuring Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul as keynote speaker.

This event marks the 20th anniversary of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and the 120th anniversary of the Manufactures Association of the Southern Tier. We hope you will join us online to celebrate these major milestones. The Lieutenant Governor is a Western New York native and a proud cheerleader for our region and we are pleased that she can join us for this occasion.

The chamber will also present its Pam Lydic Coalition Builder Award, named in memory of the first President of the County Chamber of Commerce who worked diligently to bring multiple organizations together. Representatives for both Boards of Directors will also be elected. More details will be announced in the weeks ahead.

This joint Annual Meeting will be held online via Zoom at 12:00 noon, Jan. 22. You may register any time at www.chamberrsvp.org.

CHECK TO SEE IF THERE ARE UNCLAIMED FUNDS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Dozens of businesses and organizations, and hundreds of individuals, are entitled to unclaimed funds being held by New York State. Don’t let your business or organization end the year without claiming those funds.

It’s easy to determine if the New York State Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds is holding money for you. Visit www.osc.state.ny.us/unclaimed-funds and click on “search now.” You can search as an individual or organization – including businesses. You can also search for your family, friends, or neighbors. If you find an item in your name, or your businesses’ name, simply click on it and follow the instructions. Many items can be claimed online in minutes in a safe and secure process. Funds will be released only to authorized persons.

If you find an item and need assistance, you can also get help locally. Contact State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s regional representative for Southwestern New York, Tom Carpenter, at tcarpenter@osc.ny.gov. Please include your contact information.

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