Gold Sponsor: NBT Bank / Silver Sponsor: My Home Gym

The 5k Virtual Chamber Challenge is an excellent way to promote health and fitness. Walk, run or bike anywhere you choose. All week long - anytime - any place. Record your time, take photos and share with us on our Commerce Chenango Facebook page, Instagram, and tag us on Twitter with #CommerceChallenge2020. Cost to participate is $30. Have your furry friend join you and help the Chenango County SPCA by adding a pet bandanna during registration. Registration is open until September 26th.

Staff from Syracuse District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration will present on COVID-19 relief and recovery assistance available for small business owners. You may register for one, or both of these dates. Traditional lending and small business assistance programs, as well as recovery programs will be discussed. Participants will learn about SBA products and resources including access to capital and government contracting. Following each session, SBA staff will answer questions. Register at https://tinyurl.com/SBAWkshopReg to receive the zoom link.

Thank you to our Presenting sponsor - NBT Bank, and co-sponsors Preferred Mutual Insurance Company, Golden Artist Colors and Scholet Furniture-Norwich. 

Emerging Professional: Julia Miller (Blueox Corp)

Commitment to Community: Dave Shull (Nina’s/The Stadium)

Non-Profit of the Year: UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital

Good Neighbor: Shane Butler (Chenango Co Planning & Development)

New Business of the Year: Hidden Springs Brewhouse

Entrepreneur of the Year: Andy & Mike Lagoe (Gilligan’s Ice Cream)

Employer of the Year: NBT Bank

In honor of Chamber Week, Commerce Chenango conducted a series of "drive thru" Ribbon Cuttings, for Chamber Members that opened, moved or had improvements done on their facilities throughout the COVID pandemic. We appreciate that these businesses chose to invest in Chenango County and add to our economy. Ribbon Cuttings during Chamber Week were Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango, UHS Woman’s Health Center, Deja Brew Coffee Café, Principle Design and Engineering and Norwich Outdoor Power Equipment. Watch the video HERE.

The Place has partnered with Creative Works Inc., including conjoining businesses, The Cottage Bakery, Willow Primitives, and The Artists Palette this summer in a variety of ways. A collaborative effort event will be held September 25th at the Broad Street, Norwich, location from 5-7:00 p.m. The shop will be set up designed for people to walk through and visit tables with information as well as enjoy the student photography gallery. This walk through gallery is for everyone’s safety. Masks are mandatory. Attendees are asked to use the front entrance and exit out the back. For full details click HERE.

Chenango Health Network is offering a First Aid course available for youth mental health ~ Do you work with young people aged 12-18, or have an interest in helping youth showing signs of an emotional crisis or mental illness? Youth Mental Health First Aid is a no-cost course that will be offered virtually on October 1, October 7 or October 22. A 2-hour, self-paced, pre-work must be completed along with your choice of the 5-hour virtual training in order to receive a certificate. (includes a half-hour break). Register by calling or Emailing: Chris Paul at 607-337-4331 or chris@chenangohealth.org / Jamie Hagenbuch at 607-337-4283 or jamie.hagenbuch@nyuhs.org. See the full flyer HERE.

Michelle Raue has joined Preferred Mutual Insurance Company ("Preferred Mutual") as Senior Vice President, Claims. Raue will be responsible for building the vision and executing the strategy to deliver an innovative and differentiated claims experience for the organization, its agents and its policyholders. Raue brings to Preferred Mutual over 30 years of significant claims, operational and leadership knowledge. Chris Taft, President and CEO of Preferred Mutual said, "Michelle has an extensive claims background, a contemporary vision of the future, and a proven track record for driving continuous performance improvements, that will enable the team to continue exceeding the expectations of our agents and policyholders. I am excited to have Michelle join our team." Read the full release HERE.

Chenango Arts Council is pleased to announce its Mariea Brown and Raymond Loft Galleries will reopen to the public on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. “Water- Different Forms” is a photography series by Stephen J. Appel, the Council’s first exhibit viewable in person since the COVID-19 pandemic forced galleries everywhere online. Although current circumstances do not allow for an opening reception, art lovers can visit the show until October 2, 2020. Masks and social distancing will be required. Hours of operation at the Chenango Arts Council are Tuesday-Friday, 10 am – 5 pm. Call 607-336-2787 or EM info@chenangoarts.org for more information.

The Sam and Adele Golden Foundation Virtual Gallery for the 2020 Made In Paint Exhibition is now LIVE! "Walk" around the gallery and view the artwork. All works are for sale and benefit the 18 artists in the exhibit. If you would like to receive a catalog of the exhibition, please email us at contact@goldenfoundation.org.

https://conta.cc/3hROdAy Weekly Newsbites Special Edition

https://conta.cc/3hiPmjB CC 5K Chamber Challenge ~ see all the details here.

Understanding mail-in voting in the US: For more American voters than ever, mail-in voting is an option this year, but the rules depend on where you live.CNN has surveyed all of the state election offices — here’s what you need to know. Click on your state for more guidance. https://tinyurl.com/y2nssbc8

NY Census 2020: Make sure you're counted! New Yorkers' fair share of federal funds all depends on an accurate and fully counted census response. Visit 2020census.gov to respond now and for more details. https://2020census.gov/

NYSEG is urging customers to be vigilant of scammers posing as representatives of the energy company, after they received reports of customers having accepted calls from people who claim to be NYSEG employees. The new scam attempts reportedly involve a call explaining that an overcharge has been made to the customer’s account and offer a future bill credit, with the caller asking for personal information.  Customers have also reported calls threatening to cut service unless an immediate payment is made over the phone. NYSEG officials said that customer service will never demand customers to purchase debit cards such as Green Dot cards to make payments, anyone with questions should contact NYSEG by using the phone numbers on their monthly bill.  

File a complaint about a business, location or incident in your community. https://mylicense.custhelp.com/app/ask

File a complaint against your employer or place of work. https://labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/coronavirus-complaints.shtm

The Travel Advisory is still in effect: – see more here. https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory

Development Chenango Corporation (DCC), the Economic Development arm of Chenango County and part of Commerce Chenango, Inc. would like to remind you of a new loan opportunity for Chenango County businesses needing financial help amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The loan funds, with a maximum amount of $25,000 per project, can be used to reopen your business, hire back employees, replenish your inventory, or for working capital. Funds may be used for equipment or rebuilding if it pertains to COVID-19 related loss or injury; they cannot be used for additions or capital improvements, unless there is a specific need related to the new COVID-19 operating guidelines. Streamlined and simplified for a quick turnaround, this is a rolling submission process and funds will continue to be awarded until the money is depleted. For more information, EM Kgreen@chenangony.org or call Kerri at 607.334.1404.

Did you know, that as an employer, you can post your available jobs on our Job Board by using your member login information? Check out our Job Board in the Community section of our NEW website for recent job postings from our members.

Chenango County has an immediate opening for a Planner. Duties involve providing comprehensive planning assistance and related technical services to Towns and Villages within Chenango County. Successful completion of a civil service examination, held at a later date, will be required for permanent appointment. For applications or more information, visit www.co.chenango.ny.us/personnel or contact the Chenango County Personnel Department at (607) 337-1470.

PSSAH is seeking a people oriented person for a customer service representative. People and communication skills a must. The ability to multi task and work at a quick pace is a plus. If you are looking for something different that will challenge you with no day the same, please send a resume to 6159 County Road 32, Norwich, NY 13815 or email to lmullin@vetcor.com.

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