Message from the President/CEO
The New York Legislature recently ended its session in usual fashion: into the wee hours of the morning. Policy approval always runs into overtime and waiting on the fate of bills critical to business can be daunting.

I was pleased to see at the eleventh hour, the legislature decided to table changes to the prevailing wage laws. The proposed bill would have required private sector companies receiving any kind of state or local aid to pay top wages and benefits to workers, significantly raising the cost of economic development projects. Even more detrimental, New York City was exempt from the additional cost requirement. While our community has seen a flurry of infrastructure investment and improved job growth, this bill would have surely brought a halt to our progress so far.

During this session, the legislature also passed new sexual harassment laws that provide stronger protections for victims.

Read more .
EBL ProMix!
VIDEO: The Corporate Challenge!
Another successful Corporate Challenge in the books for the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Team! Thank you to: AAA, Al-Ross Screen Printing and Embroidery, Big Ditch Brewing, Novum Medical Products, Schaffstall Chiropractic and all our team members ! The skies cleared just in time for the race! Check out our short video and read about it in The Amherst Bee here !
LIME HOUSE RESTAURANT

Date: Tues., July 16

Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm

Location: 424 Evans Street, Williamsville

Drinks and appetizers on the new patio!
BIG DITCH BREWING COMPANY
Date: Wednesday, July 31
 
Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm
 
Location: 55 E. Huron St., Buffalo

 Join us for lunch in the open dining area! Perfect summer spot!

Chamber in the News: Station Twelve and Alzheimer's Association of WNY!
From Northtown Plaza to Station Twelve!

 WS Development revealed a new name and new tenants committed to the property on Sheridan Drive in Amherst. Chamber President/CEO A.J.Baynes talked to Al Vaughters from WIVB-TV about the lifestyle center in the works. Check out his video comments.
Chamber member Alzheimer's Association of WNY opens its new office in Amherst with Chamber investor Uniland Development and A.J. served as MC of the grand opening event. Read about it in The Amherst Bee here .
Longing for a Dream Vacation?
To raise money for student scholarships, the SUNY Erie Foundation is raffling off a chance to win a $5,000 AAA travel gift card for the vacation of your dreams, plus a three piece luggage set compliments of AAA. 
To purchase your $100 raffle ticket, please contact the Foundation Office at 851-1990 , or email
The 23rd Annual UB School of Management Alumni Association Golf Outing will be held on Monday, July 8 at Tan Tara Golf Club. P roceeds generously support the award-winning Buffalo Business magazine, the School of Management Career Resource Center and student/alumni activities. Register here .
Improving the Health of WNY: A Community Effort!

Independent Health is partnering with a variety of local organizations to help make sure Western New Yorkers are getting healthy while having fun this summer. Here are just some of the ways we're collaborating to create a healthier community:

  • For the eighth straight year, Independent Health and YMCA Buffalo Niagara are proud to offer Fitness in the Parks. Participants are able to enjoy hundreds of free outdoor fitness classes taught by YMCA-certified instructors at 22 parks throughout Western New York, including Bassett Park and Garrison Park in Amherst. No registration is required to participate in any of the classes. For a complete list of Fitness in the Parks locations, times, dates and class descriptions, visit www.independenthealth.com/fitpark.

  • Independent Health is proud to be the official health and wellness partner of Outer Harbor Buffalo. Join us at the newly-opened Lakeside Bike Park, which offers three mountain bike tracks for riders of all skill levels and ages, as well as a pump track, skills loop and tot track for little ones. Bring your own bike or rent one of ours. In addition, you can walk or ride the Independent Health Wellness Trail to Wilkeson Pointe for kayaking, paddle boarding and free fitness classes. Learn more at www.outerharborbuffalo.com.
 
  • Independent Health has once again teamed up with Shared Mobility, Inc. to bring 250 GPS-enabled bicycles to the streets of Buffalo for short-term, shared use through the Reddy Bikeshare program. Plus, coming soon, more than 100 Reddy bikes will be available to residents and visitors of Niagara Falls as well. To learn how to register for a discounted annual membership, as well as view prices and a map of bike stations, visit www.reddybikeshare.com.

  • the presenting sponsor of GObike Buffalo and Slow Roll Buffalo, Independent Health believes community biking programs and events are a great way to develop a culture of health in our region. See Buffalo by bike every Monday night, now through October, by taking part in the free Slow Roll bike rides. View the full schedule at www.slowrollbuffalo.org.

A list of all the community programs and events Independent Health offers and supports can be found at www.independenthealth.com/events .
Thank You Investors!
 Amherst Chamber of Commerce | (P) 716.632.6905 | (F) 716.632.0548 | www.amherst.org