The Continental School of Beauty will host the Aug. 20 Genesee County Chamber of Commerce get-together.
It will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at 215 East Main St. Cost is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. There'll be a 50/50 raffle to benefit Genesee Cancer Assistance, Inc. Plus doorprizes, hors d'oeuvres and refreshments.
The micro-enterprise loan/grant program, which has been used by a number of businesses in downtown Batavia over the years to help them get started or expand is now available to any business in Genesee County, the Chamber of Commerce announced today.
The program provides cash for small businesses (five or fewer employees, including the owner) in a loan (75 percent) and grant (25 percent) format so businesses can hire more people, buy new equipment or make other business improvements that will lead to greater employment.
The program is designed to augment private funding sources when traditional loans are either unaffordable or unavailable.
Full press release after the jump:
The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce announced today the availability of a micro-enterprise loan/grant program (75% loan, 25% grant) for small businesses located in Genesee County. The program is designed to augment private funding sources when other funding is unaffordable or unavailable. While standard commercial lending policies will apply, interest rates and repayment terms will feature affordability and flexibility generally not offered by banks.
Eligible borrowers must be micro-enterprise business owners with five employees or fewer (including the owner). Funds may be used for any legitimate business purpose including, but not limited to, capital equipment, inventory, and working capital.
The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is an equal opportunity organization and therefore will not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, political affiliation, disability, or any category designated by Federal law.
For applications and/or program details, contact the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce at 210 East Main Street, Batavia, 585-343-7440.
I came across a crew of News 8 out of Rochester on Main Street today interviewing Lynn Freeman, president of the Chamber of Commerce, outside the chamber's office. It sounded like they were talking about business development issues.
The turn out was OK for a good weather night with the Carnival in town for the Chamber's Business Showcase. There was live music, ice cream and a couple dozen business booths. Thanks to all who stopped by to say hi at The Batavian booth.
Small business owners concerned about the economy's downturn and its effect on their bottom line are encouraged to attend a free "strive and thrive" workshop.
It's sponsored by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Center and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The Technology Roundtable Thursday April 23 is the first in a series of interactive events planned for Small Business Week.
It will be held at 7:30 a.m. over breakfast at TF Browns, 216 E. Main St. in Batavia. Cost is $10 for members of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce and $15 for nonmembers.
To make a reservation, contact executive assistant Melissa A. George at 343-7440, ext. 27.
Press Release:
This year’s Business Showcase will be held Friday, April 24, 2009, from 5:00pm-8:00pm at the Batavia City Center. The Showcase is the culmination of Small Business Week, celebrated April 20th thru the 25th by the New York State Business Council. All businesses are invited to “show the community what you do”. Businesses can Display/Showcase & sell their wares. We also encourage businesses to share employment opportunities they may have with the community.
Booths (10x10 spaces) are available for table top displays at the cost of $25.00 for Chamber Members and $35.00 for Non Members. If tables are needed they will be provided at $6.00 per table. To obtain an application call Kelly J. Bermingham, Director of Membership & Special Events at 343-7440, ext. 26 or stop in at the Chamber Office in downtown Batavia, 210 East Main Street.
The Batavia Improvement District and Batavia City Center Mall Merchants Association will be sponsoring The Ohms Band as the evening entertainment for the evening. Many restaurants & food vendors will be handing out samples of their delicious specialties to satisfy all your cravings and appetites!
Press Release:
The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a nine day familiarization tour of China in November of this year. Very similar to their successful trips in 2007 and 2008, the Chamber is offering the community the unique opportunity to travel to China for the low price of $1,899. Price includes air fare (from JFK), bus to/from JFK, hotel stays, three meals a day, bus tours (with guides), admission to tourist spots, and airport taxes throughout the trip.
Of professional interest, this trip will present opportunities to learn a great deal about how the Chinese business system operates. The group will tour many memorable sites, both ancient and modern, and enjoy a multitude of unforgettable experiences in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. In addition, there is the option to visit Xian (Terra Cotta Warriors) or to Guilin (Elephant Trunk Hill) for an additional fee.
The Chamber believes this trip to be an exceptional value. For more detail call the Chamber at (585) 343-7440, ext. 27 and sign up to attend an informational meeting on March 25th.
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.
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