chamber of commerce

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2008 Chamber Awards winners. Awards honor individuals and businesses in Genesee County that have shown a commitment to community.

This year's recipients are:

Business of the Year

Roxy’s Music Store
Rose Caccamise
228 West Main Street
Batavia, NY  14020 

Special Service Recognition: Agriculture

Tom Rivers
c/o The Daily News
2 Apollo Drive
Batavia, NY  14020

Special Service Recognition: Business

The Mancuso Family
C/O Rick & Ben Mancuso
216 Main Street
Batavia, NY  14020

Geneseean of the Year

Betty Lapp
9464 Creek Road
Batavia, NY  14020

From the Chamber:

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 37th Annual Awards Dinner which will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at the Batavia Holiday Inn. This is the County’s premier event that honors businesses and individuals for their achievements in business, community service and volunteerism. Ticket prices are $55.00 per person or a table of 10 for $500.00. 
 
Come enjoy an evening of Awards, Fun, Friends & Food. This year’s theme is GROW-4U, Genesee Region Organizations Working For You.
 
If you are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities you can select from the below or contact Kelly J. Bermingham, Director of Membership & Special Events, to create a package specifically tailored to your requirements/needs. Call 585-343-7440, ext. 26 or email kbermingham@geneseeny.com.

Dan and Debbie Fischer sure know how to throw a party.

There was plenty of food and laughs tonight at 113 E. Main St., in the studio of Batavia's WBTA.

The radio station hosted the Chamber's monthly mixer and made sure all guests were quite entertained.

Below, Dan received a certificate of recognition from the Chamber for hosting the event.

Bed, Bath & Beyond opened for business Tuesday at the Towne Center off Veterans Memorial Drive in the town of Batavia, according to the Daily News. Target already opened in July and a Lowe's home improvement store is currently getting ready to "co-anchor" the shopping complex along with the large-scale retailer. Michael's Crafts expects to open Sunday, and Petco hopes to hold its grand opening on September 26. An AT&T store is likely to occupy another of the buildings on site. Roger Muehlig reports that the developer was hoping to get a restaurant to settle into one of the 8,500-square-foot buildings at the site, "but no occupant has been announced."

A couple of stories in today's paper were already posted to this site. News of Dave Wellenzohn's departure from the helm of Muckdogs management was featured on The Batavian yesterday afternoon. Sophie's Run: a run from Ontario, Canada to New York City by Nicole Chuchmach and her team of runners in an effort to raise awareness for colorectal cancer was featured on The Batavian Monday.

Genesee County's Chamber of Commerece is gearing up for the 19th annual Decision Makers Forum and Tour, which will be held at Batavia Downs Tuesday. Tom Rivers reports:

The Chamber each year uses the forum to focus on a topic critical to agriculture. The forum in recent years has explored renewable energy, groundwater and other environmental issues, new technologies on the farm, wind energy and immigration policies.

This Tuesday, the Chamber will discuss careers in agriculture.

Anyone can attend the forum but they must register. Call (585) 343-7440 ext.27 or send an e-mail to the Chamber to register.

We encourage you to pick up a copy of the Daily News at your local newsstand. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.

Interesting story this morning from the Buffalo News on struggles faced by chambers of commerce in the region  in recruiting and retaining members.

Part of the problem is the increasingly global and distributed economy, and part if it is the "bowling alone" syndrome.

Local quotes:

At the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, the nearly 900 members pay dues that start at $190 per year. Chamber President Lynn Freeman said about 80 percent of members are 50 years old and up, and 20 percent are under 50. But beyond the age discrepancy, he said there is more pressure than before to produce results and show younger members “that this is not an old man’s club.”

In Genesee County, the chamber and the Junior Chamber, an unconnected group of 21-to 39-year-olds, are mutually beneficial, said Melissa George, the 2006 president of Batavia Area Junior Chamber. George, who is executive assistant for the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, said the JC promotes chamber of commerce membership.

We say: Join the Chamber.  Join Rotary or the Lions or get involved with a literacy program or the animal shelter.  There are all kinds of civic and community groups that need your support.  Involvement and engagement is what fosters strong communities, drives the local economy, reduces crime and increases property values ... in other words, there are any number of "selfish" reasons to get involved beyond just plain feeling good about helping out and doing the right thing.