Message from the President/CEO
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Aid is coming...
We have worked closely with Erie County on a small business grant program, funded via the CARES act, to provide $20 million in grants to small businesses for operational expenses, hiring, and even things like physical building adaptation to ensure compliance with social distancing measures. More details on this program, as well as the application process, are coming soon!
We have officially turned the corner into the fall season and the fourth quarter. The business community continues to be under tremendous constraints, even as we continue to reopen more and more businesses and head towards many companies' busiest season of the year. Now is the time to set the stage to finish on a high note and prepare for the following year. You cannot prepare for everything, and we certainly were not prepared for the curveballs this pandemic threw at business this year, but they have made us more agile and, in many ways, more connected.
Sadly, due to the restrictions on large gatherings, we will need to postpone THE EVENT, a highlight to our schedule...Read more.
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Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Last Call
Today, Tuesday, October 6th @ 4pm
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NYS Mandated Training Register now!
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DATE: Tuesday, October 6th
TIME: 4pm - 5:30pm
Presenters:
Lisa Coppola,of The Coppola Firm
Cindy Lawrence of Employer Services Corp. (ESC)
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The Amherst Chamber of Commerce
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Understanding the World of Federal & State Government Relations
DATE: Wednesday, October 7th
TIME: 9am
Presenter:
Jack O'Donnell, O'Donnell & Associates
Jack O'Donnell will be speaking to the area chambers to help make sense of the current political landscape.
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Maintaining Wellness during a Pandemic
for your Employees & their Families Series
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Spectrum's: Rebuild My Town
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Thursday, Oct. 15th @ 3pm
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Join us for a special discussion with Chip and Joanna Gaines of Magnolia Network, hear from local businesses how they are navigating their marketing in these unusual times, and learn about Spectrum Reach's commitment to local businesses and their communities.
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BCBS & Child Health Plus Info Session
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You could possibly lower your family healthcare costs!
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Open enrollment is here, learn how Child Health Plus can work with your current coverage to reduce cost. Get key facts on this valuable but not well-known health insurance resource available regardless of income.
Learn from Government Product expert, Anna Michotek of Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY, about Child Health Plus and how it can benefit you and your family!
Date: October 20
Time: 12pm
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It's a Whole New "Cyber" World
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Our Be in Buffalo campaign hopes to attract talent from around the country to relocate to Western New York. And as you also likely know, moving and settling in can be difficult. They are issuing a Newcomer Survey, to ask folks that have moved to Western New York in the last 5 years about their experience.
They seek to create a roadmap forward for how to better welcome new residents to The City of Good Neighbors.
The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete and questions range a wide variety of topics. The survey is open until October 20. Results will be shared in a report and corresponding Zoom meeting late Fall.
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The Amherst Chamber of Commerce Toastmasters club will be hosting an open house from 5-6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21st.
This informational happy hour meeting will introduce guests to the club and provide everyone an opportunity to practice speaking on the spot by answering a
Halloween-themed question.
All guests who attend will be entered to win a $100 Wegmans gift card, courtesy of Bridal Chateau. This event is free to attend and will take place on Zoom.
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Experience Western New York’s first, and only, social club built exclusively for seniors.
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Opening Monday, Oct 12th
Mar-Bon Social Club
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Isolation and loneliness can be dangerous for our Seniors. Delayed due to the pandemic, Mar-Bon Social Club is excited to finally open their doors to the senior community.
Mar-Bon Social Club
6477 Transit Rd.
East Amherst, NY 14051
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Erie County has free classes for age 55+?
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University Express offers free educational classes for older adults in Erie County. The program runs during spring and fall semesters. You will find classes in a variety of categories, including current affairs, history, humanities, finance and medicine.
Classes are designed to stimulate the mind and provide opportunities to build social networks, thereby reducing social isolation. Visit EC Senior Services Combat Social Isolation page for other opportunities to keep your mind stimulated and active. No homework or tests, just exciting discussions alongside peers with similar interests!
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Digital Resources Available from Empire State Development
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Connecting NY State based small businesses with new customers, broader markets and bigger opportunities.
Across the globe, COVID-19 has been enormously disruptive not only to individuals’ ways of life and daily routines, but to everyday commerce. New Yorkers have a long legacy of seizing disruption as a competitive advantage and business opportunity. Empire State Digital is an invitation for small businesses to explore the benefits of expanding beyond their physical brick and mortar location to an online marketplace...Read more here.
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Hiring? We are here to help!
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Health Insurance Open Enrollment for 2021
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Now more than ever, having the right health care insurance is important for you and your employees. The Amherst Chamber’s broker team provides sole proprietors and small group businesses with expert guidance on benefits and pricing.
Call us at (716) 632-6905 to discuss your needs and we’ll make a virtual appointment to review the 2021 coverage options from our region’s top three carriers: BCBS, Independent Health and Univera. Many renewing plans in 2021 have premium decreases and there are interesting new choices to lower costs further.
Dental and vision insurance is also available.
The latest information from your insurer is below.
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Independent Health makes it easier with a new resource and tool to help you easily compare Rx costs through your online member account.
• Review drug uses, dosage and more.
• Explore alternative options, including generics.
• Compare real-time costs.
• See where to buy through nearby local pharmacies or mail order (when available). • Get personalized pricing and covered options specific to your health plan.
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Taking care of your mental health and emotional wellness is more important than ever, and BlueCross BlueShield of WNY makes it easy to find support.
Click below to see more information about the programs available to you.
Visit here for more information.
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The Univera Healthcare Advantage
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If you've put off care the past few months, connect with your doctor. Stay healthy.
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Ways to lower your risk for breast cancer
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among American women. However, there are a number of lifestyle factors that can lower your breast cancer risk. These include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese after menopause increases breast cancer risk. Before menopause, your ovaries produce most of your estrogen. After menopause, however, most of a woman’s estrogen comes from fat tissue. Having more fat tissue can increase your chances of getting breast cancer by raising your estrogen levels.
- Getting plenty of physical activity: Women who haven’t been physically active throughout their lives have a higher risk for breast cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, exercising four or more hours a week helps lower breast cancer risk.
- Reducing alcohol intake: The more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk for breast cancer. Women who consume one alcoholic drink a day have a 7 to 10 percent increase in risk compared with nondrinkers, while women who have two to three drinks a day have about a 20 percent higher risk than nondrinkers.
Getting a mammogram can be life saving
A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast that doctors use to check for cysts and tumors in the breast. When a mammogram is performed when there are no symptoms such as lumps or pain, it is referred to as a screening mammogram.
The older a woman is, the more likely she is to get breast cancer. Therefore, the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women who are aged 50 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer get a screening mammogram every two years. If you are unsure about when you should begin getting mammograms, talk with your doctor.
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Amherst Chamber of Commerce | (P) 716.632.6905 | (F) 716.632.0548 | www.amherst.org
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