Every business looks for ways to save money and streamline their workload. The Chamber of Commerce can help with both. Our member businesses are seeking products that help to manage their costs while also meeting regulatory requirements.

The Chamber of Commerce has a long history of providing health insurance products that serve our member businesses and their employees at competitive rates. We work with our members to access a wide variety of plan options and ancillary benefits. For some, the New York State of Health is the best fit for their needs. For medium and large size groups we partner with Lawley Benefits Group to offer innovative cost saving solutions.

When the need arose for a new tool to help New York State businesses comply with the new laws regarding Workplace Harassment compliance, the Chamber stepped up. We now offer a complete Learning Management System in partnership with Zywave Learning. Whether you have a single employee or hundreds of employees, this convenient online platform offers tools that comply with the New York State Department of Labor regulations for harassment law compliance. This is a human resources support system that can augment your existing HR department, or help your small office to meet those needs even if you don’t have an in-house HR professional.

In addition, the Chamber is now able to offer discounted access to professional background screening services. Through a new partnership with the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, all members of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce or Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier are eligible for discounted rates for any screening service. Background screening is required for some positions and is just a good idea for others. It creates a safer work environment, provides peace of mind for employers, and helps some industries meet compliance requirements.

To learn more about any or all of these services provided by the Chamber/MAST, please contact our offices at (716) 484-1101 or (716) 366-6200.

STEM Wars is March 12

More than 800 students from around the region will participate in STEM Wars, March 12 in the Physical Education Complex on the Jamestown Community College Jamestown Campus. There is still room for some manufacturers to participate in the career fair aspect of this event, showing off their products and technology while meeting with local students to encourage their interests and education in science, technology, and manufacturing fields. STEM Wars provides students an opportunity to showcase their talents and work, featuring a variety of competitive events that are fun and educational. STEM Wars is co-presented by Dream It Do It Western New York (DIDIWNY) & the New York State Technology and Engineering Educators’ Association (NYSTEEA) Chautauqua County Chapter. STEM Wars is produced with support from the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce (CCCC), Jamestown Community College (JCC), The Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier (MAST), Pathways in Technology Early College High School (PTECH), and the Chautauqua County Education Coalition. For more information contact Tim Piazza at tpiazza@mast-wny.com or (716) 483-1833.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Jamestown March 14

Your business can get more GREEN on St. Patrick’s Day! Dollars, that is. The Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce will once again Turn the River Green for St. Patrick’s Day in downtown Jamestown. Everyone is invited to join us at the Riverwalk in Brooklyn Square for the event at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 14. This event is sponsored this year by the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau and M&T Bank. The Chamber strongly encourages local businesses to participate for the day as well. We will provide you with a standard “Leprechaun Crossing” poster for your business that indicates you are offering some special deal on Saturday, March 14. Just let us know that you’ll be participating and we will add you to our list to be handed out during the event at the Riverwalk. It could be a discounted price, a special food item, or anything of your choosing. Our goal is to move foot traffic from Brooklyn Square into to local businesses for shopping, brunch, or lunch. Any Jamestown business can participate. For more information or to get listed, contact Jamestown Community Chamber Coordinator Joanna Dahlbeck at jdahlbeck@chautauquachamber.org or call the Chamber at 484-1101.

Manufacturing Business-to-Business Event March 18

Buyers, sellers, service providers and anyone in a manufacturing related field is encouraged to attend the Business-to-Business networking event with their peers from Chautauqua County from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 18 at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, 10 Dunham Avenue, Celoron. This event will include dedicated time with vendors and buyers in a one-on-one “speed dating” format, as well as a lunch presentation featuring Patience Fairbrother, Account Director with Development Counsellors International, including findings from their latest “Talent Wars” study — a survey of over 1,500 working age individuals on how they make decisions about jobs, locations, and best practices. This event is co-sponsored by the Chautauqua Works, Jamestown Community College, and the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier. The cost ranges from $35 for one attendee to up to $500 as a Champion Sponsor for 6 attendees and a premium table. For more information or to register, contact Jeanette LoBello at CCIDA at (716) 661-8901.

Business After Hours at Ripley’s Hamilton Mansion is March 19

Get a look at this fascinating historic landmark while also networking with local businesspeople during the Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at Ripley’s Hamilton Mansion. Located at 69 West Main Street in Ripley, this charming mansion offers a unique atmosphere and venue for a variety of occasions.

The Chautauqua County and Westfield-Barcelona Community Chambers invite you to enjoy appetizers, wine tasting, and door prizes. Chamber member businesses can sign up two staff members for free. We ask that all personnel preregister to take advantage of the complimentary admission. Additional staff members can attend for just $13 each, and non-members are $20.

For more information call the Chamber at (716) 484-1101.