The Rome Area Chamber of Commerce will have a good time 110 years in operation in 2022.
“I could not be more confident that the organization will continue to endure as the essential driving force that was originally established in 1912 to promote the positive aspects and great potential of Rome,” stated Chamber Board Chairman Adam Hovak.
Businesses have reopened, and the chamber is actively engaged in working regionally in addition to with its regional companions to encourage extra concept sharing to maintain the financial system on a stable basis.
“I know from AIS’ perspective, we are proud to be headquartered in the heart of Griffiss Business and Technology Park. My co-workers and I frequent much of Rome to grab lunch at a local joint, enjoy a beverage at our own brewery or go shopping,” stated Hovak. “I continue to see growth in every corner, and from where I’m sitting I see our community and businesses growing at a tremendous pace. It is an honor to be involved with the chamber to help facilitate the progress.”
Recent areas of involvement
• Established the Business Assistance Fund, supported totally by chamber members who donated greater than $60,000 to assist companies and organizations that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To proceed the development into the brand new yr, AmeriCU Credit Union has donated a further $25,000 to the fund to assist the chamber meet the longer term wants of companies.
In 2021, grants of $500 and $1,000 increments have been awarded to 32 recipients who efficiently accomplished the streamlined software course of. Included within the complete quantity raised is the chamber’s contribution of $5,000, made potential by all who’re members of the chamber.
• Promoting Rome as an excellent group for companies to succeed is a significant initiative of the chamber. It organized 27 grand openings, ribbon reducing ceremonies, and introduced First Dollar of Profit awards. Included in that quantity are 9 congratulatory certificates introduced in recognition of vital anniversaries/achievements by chamber members.
• Started the Member of the Week program to acknowledge chamber members who renewed their memberships previous to the start of the fiscal yr. Membership dues make it potential for the chamber to supply its companies, and it’ll take as many alternatives as it may well to publicize the services and products of their companies. Thirty-three members have been acknowledged up to now.
• Rome Chamber launched an all-new web site: https://www.romechamber.com/ to higher work together with members and supply a higher visibility. Business homeowners are inspired to make use of the positioning to boost their visibility, together with including choices to the occasions calendar and job posting portals.
• Hosted the biggest and most profitable annual golf event up to now, which is a group staple in offering a venue for chamber members to work together with each other. Along with the brand new Bowling Bonanza in late February, these venues present pleasant competitors, social interplay and new enterprise relationships.
• Often known as Rome’s greatest day of the yr, the Honor America Days parade, live performance, and fireworks is eagerly embraced by a welcoming group yearly because the chamber and the City of Rome collectively current a celebration that promotes town’s heritage, boosts group satisfaction, and generates financial exercise.
• The chamber not too long ago realized from the organizers of the annual Bike (*110*) alongside the Erie Canal from Buffalo to Albany that it will likely be returning to Rome for an in a single day keep by greater than 700 riders who benefit from the hospitality provided by Rome’s eating places, shops, and outlets. The chamber actively helps the annual go to as a result of it means a lot to native companies.
• Chamber members stated they gratefully admire the beneficiant sponsors and enthusiastic members who loyally assist our many occasions and actions.
• In 1985 the chamber started providing medical health insurance plans underwritten by the most important carriers to its membership. Today, the chamber continues to be ready to supply coverage alternate options and inexpensive selections to small teams and people by means of preparations made with its on-staff licensed dealer.
• The chamber, in cooperation with the Professional & Business Women of Rome, introduced the National Business Women’s Week, offering necessary recognition to profitable native girls who’re on the prime of their professions. Stay tuned for candidates for congress discussion board, introduced by the chamber and PBW.
• The united affiliation amongst native and regional chambers and affiliate companions offers a construction to deal with subjects comparable to tourism, financial improvement, well being care, enterprise/group promotion, and workforce improvement. With participation from the Rome Chamber, the Mohawk Valley Alliance of Chambers of Commerce and affiliate companions has provided 23 digital boards through the previous 18 months.
• For months the chamber despatched pandemic-related data from organizations and governmental businesses with whom it’s intently related. Topics starting from well being and security, financing, authorized, insurance coverage, employment, govt/legislative motion, member-to-member promotions, and so on., have been introduced extensively on a well timed foundation to maintain members up-to-date and knowledgeable.
• Rome Chamber saluted Excellus for its concern over the well being and well-being of the enterprise group. Their donation of $10,000 made it potential to sponsor the acquisition of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for distribution to companies through the peak of the pandemic. More than 115 bins of provides have been distributed throughout a two-day interval.
• Business After Hours, a networking program that the chamber first launched to the Mohawk Valley in 1984, continues to be an excellent approach for members to get to advertise their companies and get to know their counterparts in a social setting.
• Local gross sales tax {dollars} assist town and county meet their monetary obligations with out elevating property taxes. The chamber’s Shop Rome First marketing campaign continues to emphasise that by buying regionally, everybody helps to maintain town and county a protected place to dwell, work, and lift a household.
• Annual publication of the Chamber’s Member Directory & Community Guide is good for selling the services and products obtainable from members. Additionally, descriptions of the numerous attributes of Rome, together with our cultural, instructional, leisure, and health-related facilities, make the publication a should have for companies contemplating finding in Rome and people concerned with residing right here.
• The institution of a younger professionals group continues to be a subject of curiosity that chamber members are concerned with pursuing as there could also be potentialities for networking packages and alternatives for social {and professional} improvement.
• Since 1966, the chamber has been offering workers and administrative companies for the Rome College Foundation to help of their mission of providing scholarship alternatives for graduating highschool seniors and college students enrolled in native faculties. Additionally, work-force improvement continues to be a subject at chamber conferences with native leaders and schooling professionals. The chamber hopes to reintroduce profitable packages for college students within the Rome district.
• Advocating in assist of enterprise is at all times excessive on the chamber’s listing of priorities. Recent positions by the chamber included the next subjects:
• Supported proposed metropolis and county budgets recommending no will increase in property taxes;
• Supported the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative that’s remodeling downtown right into a vibrant, mixed-use residential/enterprise centerpiece with arts and tradition emphasis.
• Urged that there be no adjustments within the legislative redistricting strains.
• Supported the sale and improvement for the redevelopment of the previous Woodhaven housing property.
• Supported the funding request software for the Griffiss International Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Initiative.
• Supported Mohawk Valley Community College’s software to implement an Educational Opportunity Center.
• Supported town’s software for funding underneath the state Department of Transportation Alternatives Program.
• Supported the Griffiss Institute’s software to proceed its work as a state Certified Business Incubator.
• Supported Nascentia Health’s software to Empire State Development for improvement of the previous Beeches property.
The chamber continues to function the first supply for enterprise and group data for Rome.
The workplace is accessible and workers is raring to answer member wants in addition to the wants of the general public.