Wow! What a mind-boggling year?!

So many of our expectations and paradigms have been blown-apart by new realities that it's hard to grasp what it means and impossible to predict what will happen next. The stock market is fluctuating, oil prices are dropping, and we all seem to be holding our collective breath about the future of the American automobile industry. I keep asking myself if the rules of the game have changed more than they did with the Youth Revolution or the Great Society of the 60s, the Reagan Revolution in the 80s, or the dot.com boom and bust of the 90s or does it just seem that way? It's an amazing time to be alive and a challenging time to be in business.

As the head of an organization that works to build community and regional prosperity, I find this to be a desperately important time. The national economy is officially in recession, yet locally we seem to have just hit the pause button. The number of layoffs in Tompkins County has been minimal, housing is retaining its value, and retail is holding its own. So our goal is to move the economy off of pause and onto full speed ahead. We are working hard to be a force for community advancement and to help you secure and expand the resources you need for your business or organization.

Here are just a few of the ways the Tompkins Chamber is working for all our members:

Advocating for business with city, local and county governments

Working in coalition to support and build more affordable housing

Advancing equity for all people

Sustaining workforce development efforts

Supporting young professionals through [ithaca Forward] and Leadership Tompkins

Building the Cayuga Waterfront Trail

Promoting Tourism

Providing On the Job Training Grants for new and entry-level workers

Connecting students with local businesses through our DOL internship program

Fighting garbage truck traffic on local roads


But we also work one on one with many local businesses as they seek individual solutions to unique problems:

One on one counseling with Small Business Development Center staff at the Chamber

Introduction services: Whom do you need to meet in our community?

Advocacy counseling on governmental issues: planning, zoning, etc.

Connecting members to members

The Chamber means business. We take that seriously and we are here to help. We know how to tap into a huge support system of business and community leaders and we can find you an array of resources and linkages. We'll be pushing out information on the economy, on doing business locally, and on new strategies for success. But please pull information and ideas from our website and any of the Chamber staff.

Sometimes what we need most in challenging times is someone who cares, who understands our circumstances and who will listen. We take that seriously. My number is 607-273-7080 x227. Call me anytime.

Sincerely,

Jean McPheeters