COMMERCE CHENANGO MEMO

Leading Business, Leading Communities™

Weekly Update of Happenings & Business Tips for Chamber Members

Week of May 12th—16th, 2008

"If you want truly to understand something, try to change it." Kurt Lewin

Chamber Member Good News

• Congratulations to Gus and Maria at Gus’ Steakhouse for another successful senior “citizens” prom.  Many individuals and business organizations helped to support this event. 
• Congratulations to NBT Bancorp for being ranked among the top 30 financial institutions in the nation for financial performance based on a three-year average return on equity.  The bank was ranked 29th, the highest of any financial company based in upstate New York.  This is their first time on the list. 
• Congratulations to Mang employees Susan Huff and Kelly Lewis.  Susan recently passed the New York State Property & Casualty exam and Kelly passed her New York State Life and Health Agents exam. 
• The Raymond Corporation in Greene has a signed a joint development agreement with Ballard Power Systems, a world leader in the development of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells.  This new technology will be used to power Raymond lift trucks instead of batteries.  The advantages of fuel cell solutions are the creation of tangible economic and operational benefits.
• Congratulations to BOCES for being presented with the 2008 School Safety Excellence Award from the Utica National Insurance Group.  The award is given annually to school districts or BOCES in the state whose safety efforts create a safer school environment for students and staff. 
• Congratulations to Nichole Wright, LPN, United Methodist Homes’ Doris L. Patrick Campus, for being selected April employee of the month.  She was selected for her caring and thoughtful ways with the residents.   
• Your business news could be here! 

Gov. David Paterson May Eliminate Upstate Development Office

ALBANY — Just one month after touting his administration’s new upstate economic development offices in Buffalo, Gov. David A. Paterson is moving away from the year-old system giving equal powers to upstate and downstate job-creation czars.

The governor is looking to have just one statewide economic development boss — leaving uncertain the future of Daniel Gundersen, the Buffalo-based co-chairman of the Empire State Development Corp.

The move has some upstate officials worried that the new Paterson administration will return to the Manhattan-centered approach that dominated economic development efforts in the state for decades. They voiced concern that rhetoric about pushing an upstate economic revival might be less achievable without adequate power being given to the person promoting the upstate region to businesses.

The changes come as Paterson is being advised by a mostly downstate group of business executives about choosing a new downstate economic development director to succeed Patrick Foye, who resigned when former Gov. Eliot L. Spitzer left office in March as the result of a sex scandal. That group’s mission appears now to have changed to help the new governor reshape the agency’s structure and choose a new single head of the economic development efforts.

The two-headed approach for the agency that is charged with attracting and retaining companies to New York was put into effect last year by Spitzer, who said upstate’s long-standing economic problems needed a new focus. He tapped Buffalo for the upstate headquarters.

Over the weekend in Manhattan, Paterson said his group of elite business advisers recommended ending the dual system. “It’s not that there’s anything wrong with the talent. We thought there is a problem with the structure, and it sends the wrong message. We are one New York,” the governor said.

The lack of detail on his plans has many upstate officials growing increasingly worried that the job-creation attention of state government — whose leadership is dominated by downstate residents — will be shifted at a time when the state’s economy is taking a battering.

“I don’t like what’s happening. For the first time in decades, there was a focus on upstate,” said Sandy Parker, one of the founders of Unshackle Upstate, an advocacy group begun to stem the loss of jobs and population. Parker said having Gundersen as the upstate cochairman created both a perception and reality that the state was looking to revitalize the economy.

Parker, president of the Rochester Business Alliance, joined others in urging Paterson to name Gundersen the single chairman of economic development if he is abandoning the co-chairman approach.

One approach Paterson might take, say officials, is to name a single chairman and have separate downstate and upstate directors report to that person. But some upstate business officials are concerned that Paterson, like past governors, will tap a politically connected downstate executive who will spend little time outside the state’s Manhattan offices.

Some groups have complained that the year-old dual system has led to decision-making delays in the agency, which can prove costly when trying to respond to companies considering job locations.

“We agree that a unified management structure be created, so one person is accountable,” said Brian McMahon, executive director of the New York State Economic Development Council, which represents local government and private-sector job-creation groups.

The council sent a letter to Paterson urging him, if he changes the structure, to name Gundersen the new single head of the agency. “If he did that, the commitment to upstate would not only be maintained, but strengthened,” McMahon said.

Kenneth Adams, the head of the state’s biggest business-lobbying group, said he is optimistic Paterson will pick the right person to head the agency. To avoid turf battles, Adams, president of the Business Council of New York State, suggested Paterson have the new person work full time out of Albany instead of Manhattan.

While the governor is considering the change, Paterson administration officials insist it does not represent a diminishment of interest by the governor in the upstate economy. Gundersen’s fate, though, is uncertain. Officials say he has not been asked to resign. But it remains uncertain if he will want to stay if he sees his role — and legal authority — cut.

25th Annual National Tourism Week: May 10-18, 2008

National Tourism Week is a collective effort to promote the power of travel through customized events in communities nationwide. The goal is to enhance the country's economy, security and perception, and recognize the cultural and social benefits created by travel and tourism.  National Tourism Week was established in 1983 when the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution designating the week to be celebrated in May.

Congratulations to our Award Winners!

Commerce Chenango has announced the 2008 award recipients that will be honored at the 7th Annual Report to the Membership Luncheon on May 22nd at Fox Run Event Center in Sherburne.

The Woman Owned Business of the Year recipient is Maria Stamatatos, Gus’ Steakhouse.  This award is being presented to Maria for her commitment and faith in doing business in Chenango County and her perseverance to succeed. Criteria include recognizable success as an active established business owner, as well as entrepreneurial excellence.

The Agriculture Advocate of the Year recipient is John Mitchell, Blue Seal Feeds, Inc.  John has been instrumental in taking on a leadership role in an effort to increase awareness of the issues faced by the agriculture industry and influence future challenges in this industry. 

The Not-for-Profit Organization of the Year will be awarded to The Chenango County United Way in recognition of their increased capacity to serve the needs of Chenango County residents and enhance the quality of living for over 60 years.

The Volunteer of the Year award will be presented to Deb Sylstra, Frontier.  Deb approaches everything she does with great enthusiasm and dedication. This award is reserved for a person who devotes their personal time and leadership to the Chamber and supports the community through their service. 

Registration for the event, sponsored by Preferred Mutual Insurance Company, Excellus Blue Cross BlueShield and Frontier, will begin at 11:45 am.  Chamber members are invited to attend the free luncheon by calling 607-334-1402 or email to rcrandall@chenangony.org no later than May 20th, 2008.  All attendees are required to register.

OOPS!

Commerce Chenango wishes to thank Skillin’s Jewelers for their recent contribution to the Annual Dinner Silent Auction.  Their name was accidentally left of both the dinner program and the list in the May Newsletter.   We apologize for the oversight on our part. 

Save The Date

May 24th ~ Grand Opening ~The Chenango Valley Ranch and The New Echo Lake Resort starting at noon.  The event is free to the public, with refreshments and local entertainment provided.  There will be a grand tour of the entire ranch and adjoining lake resort.  The location is   892 Bowbell Road, Greene. 

May 29th ~ Business After Hours at Frontier, Norwich.  5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Don’t miss the 2nd annual event at the Norwich location.  Play our 50/50 card game and enjoy great networking in a casual atmosphere. 

June 13th ~ Commerce Chenango Annual Summer Golf Event at the Cansawacta Country Club.

Cost is $85.00 per person and includes: Continental breakfast, 18-holes of golf, cart, boxed lunch, on-course refreshments, dinner, awards and door prizes!  Call Rachel at 334-1402 to reserve your spot or for more information on tee-sign sponsorships or golfer give-a-way’s. 

Give us your feedback on Chenango County’s

 premier website at www.chenangony.org.