Message from the Chamber Staff:
Dear Valued Members!
We are jumping into February with so much going on! We're knee-deep in our Visitor's Guides preparation already. We have an earlier deadline than usual of March 8 so we can make sure we get them in your hands before Memorial Day! If you have an event to add or want to place an ad, don't delay, call the Chamber today!
We also have several fundraisers through our amazing local Member restaurants - Galassi's Sub Shop was last month (thank you, Gail!), Jaime's Ice Cream is February 24, and Fatman's Pizza will be March 3 (details below)! Help out a local business and help our Chamber!
Our events schedule is shaping up nicely and is already tentatively posted on our website, so mark your calendars! Stay safe and have a wonderful Valentine's Day!
If we can ever be of any assistance, please reach out to us!
Chamber Staff -
Sarah Nelson - Director of Marketing and Membership
director@the-tonawandas.com
Krista Atkinson -Administrative Assistant
chamber@the-tonawandas.com
Susanne Oakey - Chamber Bookkeeper
chamberbookkeeper@gmail.com
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Please note our current hours:
Monday - Wednesday: 10am-6pm
Thursday (starting 2/18): 8:30am-4:30pm
Friday: Closed
The Chamber will be CLOSED on
Monday, February 15 for President's Day
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Attention all restaurants!
We are accepting bids from our Chamber Members for locations and/or food for the following events:
Chicken BBQ Takeout Dinner Fundraiser (food) - due by 2/26/21
Member Expo (location) - due by 3/1/2021
Annual Dinner (location/food) - April 1, 2021
Please contact Sarah Nelson at director@the-tonawandas or 716-692-5120 for more information and an application!
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There are lots of way to join our Chamber team!!
The Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas is looking for a Treasurer to serve with our Board. This is a volunteer position. Financial experience and Quickbooks knowledge is preferred, but if you are willing to jump right in and help us stay on track, we want you! Please call the Chamber at 716-692-5120 or email director@the-tonawandas.com for more information.
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Join a Committee!
- Business Connections
- Event Committee
- Economic Committee
- Gateway Cities Promotions
- Business After Hours
- G.L.O.W. (Growing Leadership Opportunities for Women)
Stop by for a tote bag, membership directory and more! We are following new state guidelines requiring masks and 6 feet social distance, as well as signing in and answering a few questions.
Welcome Bags – please let the office know if you would like any for your community friends, groups, new homeowners, etc.
Want Money??? Help a new member to join and we will give you MONEY off your renewal!
Celebrate! Are you a New Business? Celebrating a Anniversary? – Let’s do a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!
Member-to-Member Discounts! Check out our website and Facebook for more information!
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THANK YOU to Galassi's Subs!
We're so grateful for their support and fundraiser for the Chamber!
Galassi's Sub Shop
452 Payne Avenue
North Tonawanda, NY 14120
716-694-5858
We Deliver, We're Open!
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We want to Share YOUR BUSINESS!
Send us your events or specials! We'll share them on Facebook and our newsletter or website to help you get the information out!!
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Don't Miss Out on these great Member to Member Discounts! To join the program, please contact
Sarah Nelson at director@the-tonawandas.com
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2021 Visitor's Guide is Coming!!
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Ads are available! Email Tammie Easson ASAP at teasson@metromediapublishers.com!
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To add to the community calendar, use the form here and send it to director@the-tonawandas.com! DEADLINE: March 1, 2021
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2021 Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities! |
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The Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas is excited to announce our 2021 events and our new SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES! Event dates have been tentatively announced, so if your business would like to be a part of our ever-growing Chamber activities and community, please contact us at 716-692-5120!
Deadline (for inclusion as a sponsor in our Visitor's Guide) is March 8, 2021.
The Chamber is offering our exclusive Diamond Sponsor along with our Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze sponsorships. Please join with us to help grow our community and business climate.
**Now offering $500 Patron and $250 Supporter Sponsorships as well!***
A PDF of our full sponsorship information can be found here, as well as on our website at www.the-tonawandas.com. We look forward to working with you in 2021.
Join our team, and together we will make it a great year for business!
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Empire State Development Announces the
Raising the Bar Restaurant Fund
Opened January 11, 2021, this fund will make available grants of up to $5,000 to help small restaurants. Please share with your colleagues, clients and restaurant tenants.
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ESD LINK : nysrestaurantrecovery.fluxx.io
- Required documents:
- 2019 Federal Business Tax Returns
- 2020 Year to Date Income Statement
- Copy of SLA License
- List of eligible reimbursable Covid-response expenses incurred since 9/1/2020 (receipts if capital expenses - including equipment and/or construction) [Ray - Applicants will be able to input the list right on the application platform, but they can be pulling it together now and just upload it when the portal opens]
- Current Government-issued photo ID for every owner of 20% or more
This grant funding has been made possible through financial donations led by Diageo North America and supported by Coastal Pacific Wine & Spirits (a division of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits) and will be implemented by the non-profit National Development Council (NDC). The “Raising the Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund” will help eligible restaurants adjust their operations to the impacts of COVID-19 and adherence to New York State’s public health and safety measures during the winter months when outdoor dining is limited.
“Raising the Bar” grant funding can be used for COVID-19-related improvements and equipment that will allow the business to comply with social distancing guidelines, expand take-out/delivery operations, or accommodate outdoor dining such as plexiglass barriers/partitions, signage promoting social distancing and hygiene protocols, heaters, heat lamps, weatherization upgrades and insulated delivery bags; improvements that will allow the business to continue operating through the winter months such as filtration system upgrades and food heaters to maintain temperature for to-go orders and purchasing PPE and sanitation supplies necessitated by the pandemic; and COVID-19 related business improvements like patio heaters or contactless technology. Qualifying purchases and expenditures must be from September 1, 2020 onwards to be eligible.
Eligible businesses consist of New York State restaurants that have no more than $3 million in 2019 revenue and are engaged in providing food services and meals prepared on-premises to patrons who traditionally order and are served while seated, including certain on-premises food and drinking establishments licensed through the State Liquor Authority (SLA) and which need funding to adjust to COVID-related impacts and protocols. Establishments providing take out or grab and go food services due to COVID-19 restrictions are also eligible to receive the grant from NDC. Additionally, these establishments must have been in operation on or before March 1, 2019 and certify and demonstrate that they have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19. All businesses must continue to comply with the New York Forward reopening guidance and Cluster Action Initiative guidance, as applicable. Restaurants can apply to the “Raising the Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund” starting Monday, January 11, 2021. For more information visit the ESD website at https://esd.ny.gov/raising-bar-restaurant-recovery-fund.
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Spring Niagara Hospice Bouquets are Up for Ordering!
Only $10!
Order by February 24 - Delivery/Pickup March 2!
Please call the Chamber at 716-692-5120 to reserve. (Payment via cash or check made out to Niagara Hospice.)
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Congratulations to our February Member of the Month:
Niagara's Choice
Niagara’s Choice Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution serving Niagara County. Niagara’s Choice was founded in 1953 by the employees of the former Hooker Chemical Company. The credit union now has over 24,000 members and 6 branches throughout the county. Anyone who lives, works, worships or goes to school in Niagara County is able to open an account at Niagara’s Choice. They offer great rates on loans, mortgages and home equities, credit cards and more. For additional information visit niagaraschoice.org or call 284-4110.
Niagara's Choice
3619 Packard Road, Niagara Falls
716-284-4110
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Business Connections meets every other Tuesday at 9:30am via Zoom - in March we will move back to 8:30am!
Upcoming Meetings:
Feb. 23: The Buffalo News - Arcadea Scott, Digital Director, Katie Mulligan, Local Media Sales, and Laura Broady, Multimedia Account Manager - will present on How to keep your Marketing and Messaging Strong During a Crisis, and Gain Audience Reach. Register here!
March 9: Elizabeth McNally at Laura Capizzi Agency. More details to follow!
March 23: Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center. More details to follow!
April 6: Adam Jester from Intandem. More details to follow, but click here for a little taste of some of the amazing things they're working on - including Covid Cleaning with Chlorox 360!
Check out the recordings of prior meetings on our website and Facebook page!
If you are interested in joining this group or presenting, please contact Board Member Robert Pecoraro at pecoraror@aol.com
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Welcome to the Newest Members
of the Chamber Family!
Bennett Rehabilitation
Heather Bellini Photography
North Tonawanda History Museum
Sharif Hamdy
Vietnam Veterans Chapter 77
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