POTSDAM — Over 250 attendees from across St. Lawrence County and the North Country gathered for the 2019 St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner celebration Wednesday night.

The Stables at Windy Point in Potsdam, an event barn venue, was a new location for the dinner this year.

The highlight of the evening was the award recognitions for SeaComm Federal Credit Union as 2019 Business of the Year, In-Law Brewing Company as Producer of the Year, and Mikes’ Trophies for the Customer Service Excellence Award.

Executive Director Brooke E. Rouse, in her State of the Chamber remarks, applauded the partnerships that have formed with the chamber and between members to make things happen across the county. She said that, “working together, we can shape our future to be what we want for ourselves, our children and those who have yet to discover this place.”

Rouse attributes the entrepreneurial mindsets of creativity and problem solving as a driving force for the work of the chamber and partners across the county, adding that “business owner or not, the entrepreneurial mindset is strong in this room and in this county – it is part of our culture, and it’s a big reason for why I think we all love this place.” A number of initiatives were noted as part of the role the county chamber plays as a regional liaison, economic development partner and tourism promotion agent.

In the area of economic development and support, the Adirondack North Country Association Center For Business in Transition, of which the chamber is a contracted liaison, has focused on seeking and supporting those looking to sell or transition their business, so that the jobs and storefronts are not abandoned.

The newly launched Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, hosted through SUNY Canton in partnership with Buffalo State, with a committee including economic development partners across the county, is designed to help accelerate existing companies in an intensive and strategic curriculum. As a member of the North Country Regional Economic Development Council’s Placemaking Work Group, Rouse noted that she gets to represent the needs of the county and is looking forward to an upcoming Summit in Clayton Nov. 14 with case studies and associated funding opportunities from the region.

Challenges to be tackled in 2020 included the need for local investment structures and better local training for management level supervisors at companies and organizations, supporting and building the local workforce. Rouse finished her comments on business development by noting that a feasibility study is underway “to investigate and better understand a chamber model that could integrate the existing chambers while appreciating the role of ‘boots on the ground’ to ensure the needs of individual communities are being met and celebrated.”

Tourism highlights emphasized the important role of the chamber’s three destination websites in promoting the area. STLCtrails.com, the newest site, is an interactive trails site for all ages, abilities and interests. Fischcap.com has been redesigned to highlight tournaments, allowing organizers to host a micro site for their event.

The VisitSTLC.com site is the main portal for trip planning, events and relocation. A NYPA Power Proceeds allocation has helped to establish a division and staffing to increase and support tourism events, existing and new, to attract overnight stays. The chamber is in the writing phase of a tourism destination planning process, funded by a NY SeaGrant, with Lake St. Lawrence Communities, which will serve as a guide for their future decision making as they pursue tourism opportunities.

Finally, the chamber is continuing content development for a new visitor and relocation guide, which will inform and entice the leisure traveler as well as new and prospective residents and business owners.

The evening also included distinguished guests and board chair Tom Carman from the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization / Advocate Drum to share the importance of the North Country being recognized as a Great American Defense Community in 2019. The program, designed to recognize and celebrate communities with an exceptional commitment to improving the lives of service members, veterans, and their families, is only awarded to five communities across the country annually.

More information on the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce can be found at www.SLCchamber.org or by calling 315-386-4000.