CHQ Chamber implements new business development project | News, Sports, Vacancies

The CHQ Chamber won one of eight Springboard grants announced last week during a reception at the Cutco Theater on the Cattaraugus County JCC campus. Springboard launched in March as a regional, fast-track competition focused on programs that benefit entrepreneurs or businesses that need funding to expand or take an idea to market level. There were three rounds of applications, with the program focusing on the Greater Buffalo, Greater Rochester or Southern Tier regions.

The CHQ Chamber did not apply until the third and final round of funding as we worked to finalize some programs that would benefit local businesses. After months of research, our team decided that we would move forward with our plan to launch a revamped foot traffic initiative at ski jumping events, and we were rewarded with a $25,000 grant.

The CHQ Chamber will use Bandwango to provide data to measure the impact and consumer traffic of new and existing initiatives for the purpose of marketing repeat visits to consumers. Bandwango is an established technology platform that “gamified” visiting clients of local businesses. In some regions, it is used to create drink routes or provide digital coupons to encourage customers to patronize businesses.

Encouraging customers to visit small, local businesses is central to our work at CHQ Chamber. In recent years, we have tried to encourage local shops and restaurants through a variety of projects, including our Holiday Window Decorating Contest, Small Business Saturday initiative, and others. This year, with this new-to-us program, we hope to do an even better job of connecting consumers with small businesses.

This is all possible thanks to a $25,000 Springboard grant. The grant will allow us to purchase subscriptions, as well as improve our marketing efforts and offer prize draws to participants. Without grant funding, we would not have been able to implement this pilot program.

Springboard is a collaboration between the Center for Regional Strategies, Main Light Strategies, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, Victor & Company and other community partners in the region, including the Small Business Development Center at Jamestown Community College. Focused on the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Western New York and the Southern region, Springboard’s grants will help grow businesses, pilot new programs, and support efforts such as business mentoring and more. The CHQ Chamber is grateful to all partners involved in this process.

For our local businesses, please keep an eye on us for more information on how you can get involved in one of our upcoming Bandwango projects throughout Chautauqua County in the very near future. We encourage you to sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on how we uncover opportunities. Anyone can add their name to our list at www.chqchamber.org/stay-up-to-date.

After Hours Business at Southern Tier Brewing will take place on November 13th.

Enjoy great networking in the CHQ Chamber during one of our most popular Business After Hours events! We will be hosting Business After Hours on Wednesday, November 13th at Southern Tier Brewing Company, 2072 Stoneman Drive, Lakewood.

This Business After Hours event features free appetizers, a cash bar, and the opportunity to network with a variety of local business leaders in a stunning setting.

The Business After Hours program at Southern Tier Brewing Company is sponsored by Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, DFT Communications, Jamestown Community College, LaBella Associates, M&T Bank, Media One Radio Group, National Grid, Observer, The Post-Journal and Federal Credit Union of Southern Chautauqua.

Chamber member businesses can send two people to each “Out of Hours Business” for free. After that, the cost is only $10 per person, or $10 if you’re not a member. We always enjoy visiting our friends at Southern Tier Brewing Company! This event fills up quickly, so registration is highly recommended. Visit our web calendar at www.chqchamber.org.

Nominations are now open for the Pam Lydic Coalition Builder Award

Each year, the CHQ Chamber presents an award in memory of the first President of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, Pam Lydick. It recognizes an organization or person in a region that has worked hard to unite groups of people around a common goal or objective.

This award recognizes an organization or individual who has helped move the region forward in a positive direction through collaboration and partnership building. The reward is especially aimed at those who have done their work consistently and often in the background. The typical award winner may be an “unsung hero” in society or someone who has had a huge impact.

The award will be presented during the Chamber’s annual meeting in December and includes a $500 scholarship to a nonprofit organization of the recipient’s choice.

To nominate an organization or individual for consideration, complete our online form at www.chqchamber.org/award-nomination-form. Submissions must be received by November 11, 2024.