Welcome Home Wednesday
Virtual Wine Tasting w/ Damiani
October 7th | 5 - 6 p.m.
Have you relocated to the area in the past year to live or work in Tompkins County? Are you interested in learning more about what Tompkins County has to offer a first time resident or someone returning after years away?
The Tompkins Chamber is inviting new residents to Live in Ithaca: Welcome Home Wednesdays with co-host Glen Allen, General Manager and Co-owner of Damiani Wine Cellars as we present a fun virtual Wine Tasting Experience. Invite your colleagues or new recruits!
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NY Forward Loan Fund Webinar
In collaboration with partner
Business Leaders of Colors
Thursday, October 8th | 5 - 6:15 p.m.
The New York Forward Loan Fund can offer small businesses, nonprofits and small landlords working capital loans of up to $100,000 with very reasonable interest rates (2-3%) via several community development financial institutions around the state. These loans are specifically designed to help businesses as they reopen for business and can be used for a variety of purposes.
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Did you miss one of our L.E.A.R.N. Business Impacts webinars or Networking @ Noon Industry Insights events? You can watch them all right on our YouTube channel. Consider subscribing to receive updates every time we post a new video!
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Business Panel Discussion/Q&A on Covid-19 Case Response & Prevention
Tuesday, October 13th | Noon - 1 p.m.
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Join us as we host a panel discussion for businesses, featuring Tompkins County Public Health Director Frank Kruppa, Cayuga Medical Center CEO Dr. Marty Stallone, Wegmans Manager Chris Malcolm, and area business owners/managers that have dealt with positive Covid-19 cases and how they've responded. We'll also discuss how to establish the importance of surveillance testing among our workforce as we continue on this "new normal" period, and how to establish a regular testing contract with Cayuga Medical Center for your workforce.
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Business After Hours
w/ CFCU Credit Union and Community Foundation of Tompkins County
Wednesday, October 14th | 5 - 6:30 p.m.
Join us for a community focused virtual Business After Hours with hosts CFCU Community Credit Union and Community Foundation! CFCU has been serving banking needs of individuals, families, and local businesses in Ithaca for over 65 years and contributes greatly to the community through volunteerism and sponsorships. Community Foundation is celebrating its 20th anniversary of improving the quality of life by inspiring and supporting enduring philanthropy in partnership with generous donors and effective non-profit agencies. Come meet the CFCU and Community Foundation teams!
Additionally, Serendipity Catering has an amazing event menu with hors d'oeuvres, desserts and cocktail kits available for order to enhance your virtual event experience! View menu and Kits available for order HERE through Serendipity.
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Attendees will have a chance to join hosts CFCU Community Credit Union and Community Foundation of Tompkins County in making gifts to support our community during this difficult time. Join us! |
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Healthy Workforce Network
On-the-Job Training Grant
The Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a new iteration of its On-the-Job Training Grant through a United States Department of Labor funding award to the Healthy Workforce Network - a local network of organizations collaborating to support people in recovery and their employers. Grants of approximately $2,000 are available to support an 8 week training period.
This funding award differs from past OJT grant programs in that it is intended to support people in recovery receiving educational and training supports, new job opportunities, and maintaining a recovery friendly workforce and employer base in Tompkins County and regionally. All employers interested in being considered for this program must take our survey and be willing to comply with additional program requirements.
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M & T Bank Great Big Chamber Auction: Silent & Live Auction Coming in November!
The Great Big Chamber Auction is back, with a bit of a twist to ensure success despite these challenging times we're experiencing together. You likely know that the Chamber Auction is one of our single-biggest fundraisers to support our annual operating expenses not covered by membership investments. It's also a great opportunity to support area businesses by purchasing your donation from them, or visiting businesses for holiday shopping with your proceeds from the auction!
This year, the Silent Auction will be virtual over a two week period, and will be restricted to gift certificates for retail, restaurant, experiences, or services which can be put in an "envelope" and delivered to the winner easily. There will also be a Live Auction on Thursday, November 19th, where we gather that evening virtually (and some small groups may gather in person, too) to have a fun Live Auction together, where 10 fantastic items and experiences will be auctioned off.
All proceeds will benefit the Tompkins Chamber & CVB. We truly appreciate your support during this incredibly difficult time.
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Congratulations to
Last Week's
Member of the Week:
OurBus has added valuable, affordable direct bus transportation to numerous high-demand markets that help keep Ithaca connected to the world. The Chamber is grateful to OurBus for their commitment to our community.
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Cayuga Health Releases New Newsletter in App Form
Cayuga Health’s popular quarterly Cayuga Health Magazine is now available to everyone in a new digital, interactive format. The content and focus of the magazine is to inform the community about expanded Cayuga Health services, sharing real patient and doctor experiences, as well as announcing new medical professionals and initiatives across the system.
This free, interactive publication features print and video components to enhance connection to Cayuga Health patients and the Community. The Fall 2020 issue covers the tireless efforts of the health system and community during the ongoing battle of COVID-19. The magazine uses video as a key component to communicating these stories.
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Empty Bowls To-Go Tickets on Sale
On Saturday October 10, Loaves & Fishes of Tompkins County will hold its 25th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser. As a result of Covid-19, Loaves & Fishes is now preparing 1,200 free meals to-go each week—nearly three times more meals than a year ago. The need for your support is great. So, we are hosting Empty Bowls To-Go!
Each guest will safely pick up a meal to-go containing a beautifully hand-crafted ceramic bowl, delicious soups, salad, bread and dessert all donated by local restaurants.
Tickets are $75. 100% of the proceeds go directly to feed our community.
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Ithaca Children's Garden Offers Outdoor Learning
Ithaca Children’s Garden and Cornell Masters of Public Health program
are partnering to support outdoor learning at all 8 ICSD elementary schools thanks to a
multi year Farm to Table grant, with support from the Cornell Atkinson Center for
Sustainability and Engaged Cornell.
Evidence shows learning outdoors and spending time in nature provides many
benefits. “Spending time in nature is well-documented to support academic success,
foster social development, improve learning, and decrease stress,” Marteal explains,
“and when a student engages with nature, that child can find a sense of place,
belonging, and a connection to the environment.”
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Staples Sponsors US Chamber Foundation Event - Invites Members
Staples is partnering with the U.S Chamber of Commerce as a sponsor for the virtual conference C.O.—by U.S. Chamber of Commerce: The Big Week for Small Business. This conference offers actionable insights from real small and growing businesses and covers policy updates, social media marketing, long-term planning, and more. Participants can also share ideas, receive tools, and discuss lessons learned with their peers.
Your local Staples store is inviting you to attend!
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Local, Regional, and New York State COVID-19 Updates
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COVID-19 Resources from the US Chamber
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Follow Industry Guidelines & Submit Your Affirmation:
Please visit the NY Forward website using the links below to find your industry sector guidelines whether you are an Essential Business, Phase 1, 2, 3, or 4. We continue to watch for new Guidelines and advocate for clarity for those sectors that haven't been provided reopening guidance yet.
** NYS has issued updates to existing industry guidelines. Please check back occasionally to your industry guidelines to ensure you're aware of any updates **
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Hiring?
Tompkins County has a resource for your job posting called " Workforce Redirect", intended to match job seekers with those employers that are currently hiring.
Contact Workforce Development Board Executive Director Natalie Branosky to have your business added to this page. |
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October Meeting Schedule
Ambassadors Committee
Monday, October 19 | Noon - 1 p.m.
Admin & Finance/Executive Committee
Tuesday, October 20 | 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Board of Directors
Wednesday, October 28 | 8 a.m.
All meetings require advance registration &
will be virtual until further notice.
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Tompkins Chamber and CVB Property at East Shore Drive for Sale
Last week, the Tompkins Chamber & CVB announced to our members and tourism partners our intent to list our property at East Shore Drive for sale, after much consideration and decades of being headquartered at this iconic facility. We're excited to see what will come next for our organization, and for 904 E. Shore Drive.
Click below for the listing information!
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Have questions?
Our team is here to help.
Note: Our offices are open by appointment - please reach out to Carly, Diane, or Jennifer if you need to visit us.
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