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St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce gears up for membership drive

Posted 7/25/11

CANTON -- The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce wants you. All week, from July 25 to 29, the chamber is reaching out to businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals who aren’t yet members and …

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St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce gears up for membership drive

Posted

CANTON -- The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce wants you.

All week, from July 25 to 29, the chamber is reaching out to businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals who aren’t yet members and encouraging them to find out more about the County Chamber, its mission, and the many benefits of membership.

“Times are tough, but this chamber and its members – more than 600 strong – are tougher,” said Executive Director Pat McKeown. “We’re shaping St. Lawrence County’s future with a positive, united front, and we want to bring more and more businesses and like-minded folks along with us.”

On Tuesday, July 26, the monthly “Spotlight on Business” will include a presentation by McKeown on the chamber, its initiatives, and services such as competitively priced health insurance plans for small businesses.

Non-members are especially encouraged to attend this Spotlight, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Dar’s Place, Quality Inn, Massena. Other presenters that evening are Alcoa, Phil & Jackie’s, Venture Associates, and Dar’s. Admission is $5, and includes food and refreshments.

And all week, potential members are urged to stop by the chamber’s office at 101 Main St., Canton, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day, to pick up an application packet, meet and talk with chamber staff, and receive a free chamber souvenir.

"When you're a member of the chamber, you're truly a member of the local business community,” said Alcoa Massena Communications and Public Affairs Manager Laurie Marr, who is also secretary of the chamber board of directors. “The chamber provides the connections and networking opportunities we all need, but it's also an organization that actually makes a difference. Through advocacy efforts and by jump-starting economic initiatives, our reach goes beyond the walls of a meeting room, to have a positive impact on life in St. Lawrence County."

The mission of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is “to cultivate, develop and support Chamber members and other businesses by creating a vibrant business climate that encourages growth and enhances the unique quality of life in St. Lawrence County.”

The chamber works toward that mission by creating an integrated network that fosters business and encourages connections across the business community. The popular monthly “Spotlight on Business” events held around the county help toward that end, by bringing up to about 100 people together at a featured locale and showcasing several area businesses at each event. Other signature events are the annual “The Really Big Show,” a business exposition at Clarkson University, and the December Craft Food and Wine Show, also at Clarkson.

Small businesses can purchase health insurance through the chamber, at competitive prices and with a broad range of employee coverage. The chamber also offers winter classes on relevant business topics, and, when funding allows, offers low-interest loans to expanding or start-up ventures.

The chamber also serves as an advocate for businesses and the community at large, monitoring and when necessary challenging regulatory agencies when policies negatively impact anything from snowmobiling and fishing to church suppers.

Finally, with new initiatives such as FISHCAP – designed to promote the county as the Fishing Capital of the World – the chamber spearheads and develops programs that build upon the region’s strengths and creatively positions the county for future growth.

For further information on the chamber, visit www.northcountryguide.com, or call 386-4000.