Columbia Chamber seeks to enlarge its role representing businesses

Hudson, NY -  Eight hundred and fifty members strong, the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is the defining voice of business in the community.

A new fresh spirit of community activism drives the Chamber. As the leading business group, it has taken positions in support of several key community issues. Starting last fall with the call to vote ‘no' on Proposal One (dubbed the Runaway Spending Amendment) and its support of Gulf Coast Chambers following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the Chamber has backed a series of projects, including the Catamount Development project, the FASNY Museum, affordable workforce housing, development of a rail trail and the Field of Dreams project. The Chamber has also called on businesses and residents from around the county to get involved in the revitalization of the Hudson waterfront.

“By drawing attention to the connection between economic development and adequate housing, the Chamber has refocused the housing debate to make it about people, not buildings,” says Bruce Levine, president of 3d Development Group, which is working on the Crosswinds affordable housing project. “Many in Hudson are now taking notice of those that struggle to live in the community they work,” he adds.

Guiding this community involvement is Chamber President David Colby and the Executive Committee, led by Chairman Rick Bianchi and Vice Chairman John Maiuri. “We think it is important for the Chamber to take a leadership role on the development of Columbia County ,” says Mr. Colby.

“It is an entirely appropriate role,” agrees former Chamber President Jim Calvin, who ran the organization from 1988 to 1995 and now is an association executive in Albany .

Looking at the Chamber's work, Mr. Calvin says “there's continuity and tradition, but also new initiatives to reflect the needs of the current business community.”

Several of those traditions have blossomed. The coveted Crystal Apple, for example, which recognizes a company's growth and expansion, is now the premier business prize in the county, celebrated at an annual dinner. This year's winner, the Lippera family's Chatham House renovation project, “made all the work worthwhile,” says a proud Monica Lippera.

The Chamber's popular Business After Hours (BAH) has also grown enormously. The free monthly informal gathering moves around the county, as businesses and organizations vie for the opportunity to show off their venue.

For John Spitzer of Spencertown Country House, hosting a BAH gave his new B&B “a tremendous push forward.” It led to the creation of a mid-week discount for singles and an early breakfast to meet the needs of visitors here on business.

For Jeff Knight of Metz Wood Harder, Inc., the BAH provides “a great way of keeping your finger on the pulse of the businesses in the area.” In the age of 800 telephone numbers and the Internet, “it is nice to know you can get most services locally.” For Mr. Knight, the Chamber provides that connection.

“We feel very strongly that we want to do business locally,” says Mr. Knight. That sentiment is one of the driving forces behind the Chamber's Buy Local Business Expo 2006 business-to-business trade show slated for late October.

F or other members, the many benefits are the attraction. “I get my medical insurance through the Chamber,” says Arlene Boehm of Boehm Design, echoing the reason many small and home-based businesses join the Chamber. She has also benefited from the networking. “It has brought me business,” reports the graphic designer.

Like the broad appeal of a choice of affordable health insurance plans, the Chamber also has a program to lower energy costs. Its Energy Alliance Program gives participants the purchasing power of a large group, to help cut electric and natural gas bills.

The Chamber even puts the resources of NASA at the disposal of local businesses – at no cost. The NASA-funded Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP) offers up to 40 hours of technical assistance for qualified requests. Its purpose is to speed the transfer of space program knowledge and technology to the private sector. At least one local business, Energy-Onix, has taken advantage of the opportunity.

For new businesses, the Chamber offers a host of reasons to join, including a ribbon-cutting publicity program as well as free advertising in the local media.

In fact, a special new-member promotion offers free ads on Clear Channel radio stations as well as free print ads in both The Independent and the Register-Star. The Chamber also puts out an annual membership directory as well as listing all members on its web site. Furthermore, the Chamber has half a dozen specialty committees, focusing on agriculture, arts and tourism, business education, economic development and government affairs, and marketing and communications.

“As a small tourist-related business, we felt we could have a voice in the Chamber programs for that sector,” says Mr. Spitzer. “We put the Chamber's strength and vitality to work and it assisted our own B&B as well as the other lodgings.”

Now is an ideal time to join the Chamber. For the months of August and September, the Chamber is running a special membership promotion. To put the Chamber's full-time staff of four to work for you call the office at 828-4417 or visit the website at www.columbiachamber-ny.com.

And while most businesses and organizations join to take advantage of one or more of the many benefits, there are some like Ann Clark of Clark Engineering who join just to be part of the county business community. “It doesn't always benefit me directly,” says Ms. Clark, “but belonging is the right thing to do, to help support all the businesses that can use the Chamber's benefits.”

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is the leading voice of business in Columbia County, providing advocacy, promotional and benefit solutions for its 850 members. The Chamber encourages all developers to utilize local businesses to provide products and services for their projects. If you would like more information on this column, please contact the Chamber at 828-4417 or visit www.columbiachamber-ny.com.