Join the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and St. Mary’s Hospital for the next Business Mixer, Thursday, March 18, 5 – 7 pm at the St. Mary’s Hospital Physical Rehabilitation Services and Spots Medicine Department, 4988 State Highway 30, Amsterdam. This event is an opportunity for the business community to get an inside look at the newly renovated Sports Medicine and Physical Rehabilitation area while meeting prospective customers and clients.

“Sports medicine and physical rehabilitation serve a large population in our area,” states Chamber Board Chairman Charles Schwartz. “I encourage the business community to join us for this complimentary event to learn about these services and our area’s largest employer, St. Mary’s Hospital.”

Refreshments will be served and tours will be given. Reservations are required; call the Chamber at 853-1800.

Our monthly radio show “The Chamber Connection”, a special broadcast the second Tuesday of each month on AM 1570 WVTL and FM Lite 104.7.  Tune in to hear from guests about business, legislative issues and updates, agriculture news and updates and much more!   Find out what’s happening in your backyard in business and tourism!

Click Here to Listen to Our March 9th 2010 Chamber Connection broadcast on Employment. Enjoy!

The 28-question, 30-minute qualifying tests — plus help in filling out application forms– are offered 3-4 times a week in Amsterdam and Fonda until April 24. Call 1- 866-861-2010 for exact times, locations, and dates. Standard rate of pay for data collectors (door-to-door Census takers, also aka ‘enumerators’) is $12.75/hour in the Amsterdam area. Practice tests, in both English and Spanish, are available on-line at www.census2010.gov

Tests will also be offered in Spanish, with an extra English language proficiency section (an extra 10 questions), at the Amsterdam Free Public Library and Centro Civico over the next few weeks. Call for more information — again, at 1- 866-861-2010 or on the web, www.census2010.gov or http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/

Census warning from Better Business Bureau
With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

* If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice.

Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.

* Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information.

Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.

While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON’T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION.

The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.

AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH
ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION.. No Acorn worker should approach you
saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Tina M. Baker
DHS Liaison Office at FBI HQ
Office of Intelligence & Analysis
Department of Homeland Security

Agency plans to restart Recovery loan approvals by Dec. 28

WASHINGTON – President Obama signed the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) appropriations bill on Saturday, which included $125 million to continue through Feb. 28, 2010, the enhancements made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to SBA’s two largest loan programs. The SBA estimates the additional funding will support $4.5 billion in small business lending.

New approvals of loans with the higher guarantee and reduced fees made possible by ARRA are expected to begin by Dec. 28. Loan applications from borrowers who chose to be placed in the SBA’s Recovery Loan Queue will be funded first, followed by new loan approvals beginning on or before Dec. 28.

“This Administration and Congress recognize that these key programs were successful in helping jump-start the economic recovery for America’s small businesses,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. “The increased guarantee and reduced fees on SBA loans helped put more than $16.5 billion in the hands of small business owners and brought more than 1,200 lenders back to SBA loan programs. The extension of these programs through February is important to continuing our path toward recovery and will mean thousands more small business owners have access to the credit they need.

“Just two weeks ago, President Obama laid out key aspects of his jobs plan, including significant ongoing support for small businesses. We will continue to work with Congress on moving those proposals forward, including extending these loan enhancements as the President called for, to ensure that small business owners have the tools they need to drive economic growth and create jobs in communities all across the country.”

As part of ARRA, SBA received $730 million, which included $375 million to increase the SBA guarantee on 7(a) loans to 90 percent and to waive borrower fees on most 7(a) and 504 loans. More information about the waived fees can be found here. The funds for these programs were exhausted on Nov. 23.

SBA created the Recovery Loan Queue as part of its transition back to pre-ARRA lending on Nov. 23 because previously approved loans are sometimes canceled or never disbursed for a variety of reasons. Eligible small businesses, in consultation with their lender, could choose to be placed in the queue for possible approval of an ARRA loan if funding became available. Currently there are 1,069 loans totaling almost $530 million in the Recovery Loan Queue.

The extension included in the DOD bill authorizes the higher guarantee levels through Feb. 28, 2010. The fee relief is authorized until this additional funding is exhausted or the end of the fiscal year, whichever comes first. As was the case in November, SBA will transition into a queue system as the funds start to wind down in order to ensure the maximum simulative effect of the programs and disbursement of funds.

For non-ARRA 7(a) or 504 loans funded during the transition period, this extension does not provide a retroactive guarantee or waived fees. Loans that were funded under non-ARRA terms cannot be canceled and resubmitted to take advantage of the ARRA extension provisions.

This extension does not affect other SBA ARRA programs, including the America’s Recovery Capital (ARC) loan program or the agency’s microloans. ARRA funding still remains for both of those programs.

One of the benefits of being a member of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is being able to save money on products and services through the Chamber’s “Member-to-Member” discount program. The successful program began as a way to assist members in saving money on products and services for their business or personal use. The program also offers an opportunity for the Chamber to promote where to purchase these services and products locally.

The Chamber recently added a new page on the website to enhance the promotion of these discounts. “We have been reviewing methods to promote these discounts to increase awareness of this program to our members,” states Chamber President, Deborah Auspelmyer. “Our new website gives us the opportunity to make this information easy to find, while promoting the local business community and saving members money.”

Visit www.montgomerycountyny.com under “Membership”. Click on “Member Coupons” to see a listing of all of the members currently offering coupons or discounts including: AAA Northway, Adirondack Fireplace Co., Amsterdam Overhead Door Company, Amsterdam Travel, Art-n-Soul, BTU Heating & Cooling, Inc., Engines of Creation Web Design and Development, The Hearing Doctor, Maglocks Corporation, Mid-Atlantic Janitorial, Mohawk Valley House & Pet Sitters, Natural Bridge Farm, Russo’s Grill & Catering, Sacandaga Advertising, Tender Loving Day Care, The Moving Pictures Group, Trinity Fitness, and Write Impressions Promotional Products and Specialties.

“Discounts range from website development to childcare services, catering to advertising,” adds the Chamber Membership Assistant, Kathi Bassett. “Services and products business owners can utilize.” Users merely click on the company name they are interested in and then print coupons, it’s that easy.

“The page addition to the website is one more way that the Chamber is diligently working to promote using chamber members for your business and personal needs,” continues Auspelmyer. Call the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce at 853-1800 if you are interested in offering a discount and joining this dynamic, membership driven business organization.

The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the recipients of their prestigious Chamber Business Awards, which will be presented at their annual meeting and awards dinner on Friday, January 29, 2010. “This event is a wonderful way to recognize the business community and individuals who work hard to make Montgomery County successful,” states Chamber President, Deborah Auspelmyer. “It is an event that applauds our community’s efforts and installs our new board of directors.”

The Thomas B. Constantino Entrepreneurial Award, which pays tribute to a company that embodies the entrepreneurial spirit by organizing, managing, and assuming the risks of building a business and persevering to see these efforts come to fruition; will be presented to June Czelusniak of June’s Hallmark.

June began her retail business of June’s Hallmark in 1972 with approximately 8 employees. Despite the challenges of not being able to obtain financing to start her business, construction on Rt. 30, and increased competition, June’s still serves as the gift shop anchor on the ever growing Rt. 30 corridor. She has overcome obstacles and stereotypes many women faced when wanting to start a business decades ago. June’s Hallmark started as a small retail shop, selling Yankee Candles and has grown to the point that it necessitated having to move to a larger location. She has expanded her line of products to include Allied Gifts, wind chimes, stained glass sun catchers, Hallmark ornaments and cards, and much, much more! She currently employs up to 12 people, depending on the season. June continually supports the community by making donations and allowing organizations to utilize her place of business to sell tickets for many community fundraising events.

“No one could have been more surprised than me to receive this award,” states June. “We’ve been involved in the community for over 40 years. Our customers have been so supportive, we’ve enjoyed meeting our customers and appreciate their business”.

Nominees also included Engines of Creation, Adirondack Fireplace Company, and Old Peddler’s Wagon.

The Herbert T. Singer Community Service Award, given to a person or persons who contribute to the betterment the community through their selfless dedication and service, will be presented to Anthony J. Centi of Crystal Ristorante.

Crystal Ristorante has been a foundation of the area’s business community for decades, Mr. Centi has been the owner/operator for 22 years, taking the reins of the business from his father, Gabriel. Mr. Centi donates his time, staff and place of business for a variety of community fundraisers on an annual basis. If there is an individual in need or facing a life-threatening or life-changing event, Mr. Centi is there offering his establishment to be used as a fundraiser to assist that individual or group. He had participated and assisted with the St. Jude’s telethon for years, assists local groups and youth sports organizations with fundraisers, and often has food brought to victims of fires and disasters as a small token of assistance. During Thanksgiving he donates turkeys to those in need. Mr. Centi also participated in modified sports team fundraiser for the AHS modified sports teams, donating everything to be able to assist our local youth to keep sports going for the year; as well as fundraisers to save Clara S. Bacon School. Mr. Centi received Centro Civico’s Business Corazon Award in 2008.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this award,” states Mr. Centi. “To be selected among such a prestigious group of nominees is a humbling honor. I thank the selection committee for giving me the opportunity to accept this award”.

Nominees included: Olga Podmajersky, Dr. Mohammad R. Ghazi, Dr. Michael Sheridan, and Patricia Beck.

The recipient of the Edward L. Wilkinson Industry of the Year Award, which pays tribute to a business or industry that has made a positive contribution to the economic growth and well being of Montgomery County, is Target Corporation, Amsterdam Distribution Center.

Target is an upscale discount retailer with a focus on the high quality, on-trend merchandise that guests want, plus the everyday basics all families need at affordable prices. Target’s relationship with Montgomery County began nearly seven years ago when it purchased the distribution center site from K-mart and completed its construction. The distribution center officially opened in 2005 and currently employs over 600 full time team members supporting Target stores across the northeastern U.S. The award winning building is a key link in Target’s world class supply chain network processing up to a million cartons of merchandise each week. Target places a top priority on being an employer of choice by providing competitive wages, benefits and a positive culture to attract and retain the best team members. In keeping with Target’s long history of community giving, the building is active in its support of local community events.

“I am pleased and honored that the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce has chosen to recognize our team with this award,” states Cary Parno, General Manager. “We are fortunate to work in a community committed to creating opportunities for growth and community service. The key to our success has always been the dedication and commitment of our nearly seven hundred team members – I’m excited for them to be honored by the Chamber with this award.”

Nominees also included: Hannaford Brothers, Lowe’s, and Temper Corp.

The Chamber’s Agricultural Award will be presented to Sundae on the Farm.

Sundae on the Farm has been operating for several years within Montgomery County and the surrounding area. It is a collaboration of local ag producers, the Montgomery County Farm Bureau and numerous other organizations and volunteers that pull together to showcase agriculture within our communities. As a one-day event, Sundae on the Farm brings several thousand people to farms across Montgomery County, drawing families from across the region to learn about and experience agritourism first hand.

“I think it’s fantastic that Sundae on the Farm was considered for the Agricultural Award,” states Klaus Busch, Montgomery County field advisor with New York Farm Bureau. “The event brings together the agricultural community with the non-agricultural community. Considering the agricultural climate in the United States, it’s a very important event”.

Nominees included: Glenmare Farms, Sunshine Gardens, and Hudson River Tractor, Company.

The Young Professional Award, which recognizes a young professional whose commitment, enthusiasm, and positive energy have contributed to the betterment of Montgomery County, will be presented to Kenneth Rose, Montgomery County Economic Development Director.

Mr. Rose is currently the Director of the Montgomery County Department of Economic development and Planning as well as the Chief Executive Officer for the Montgomery County Industrial Development Agency. As Director of the County Department of Economic Development and Planning, Mr. Rose’s responsibilities include running the Montgomery County Business Development Center, and the department’s Economic Development Program. The intent of the Business Development Center and Economic Development Program is to provide the business community a “one stop shop” for business development questions and assistance. The department’s current responsibilities include; the administration of the MCIDA, the administration and marketing of the Florida Business Park (which is home to the 1. 5 million sq. foot Target Distribution Center and 600,000 sq. ft. Hero/Beech Nut manufacturing and headquarter facility), Glen Canal View Business Park, administration of the $3.4 million Montgomery County Revolving Loan Fund, working with the Montgomery County Economic Development Consortium in an extensive retention and expansion program with current businesses in the County, and administration of the county’s Community Development program (HUD). Since beginning his position as the Montgomery County Economic Development Agency’s leader in 2006, Ken has spearheaded and overseen several key economic development projects come to fruition, overcoming a major flood, lawsuits and a statewide economic crisis. Under his direction, the Planning Department was re-established and several key countywide initiatives were stared including a mid-county waterfront revitalization project, countywide public transportation system and the beginning of a countywide comprehensive plan. Recent projects under Ken’s direction present a total capital investment of over $190 million and several hundred new and retained jobs in the county. Ken is a lifelong resident of Montgomery County and lives in Tribes Hill with his wife and two young children.

“While I’m humbled to be recognized by the business community in which we serve, this award and our accomplishments could not be possible without the full support of the many individuals within this community and especially the County Board of Supervisors, the MCIDA Board of Directors and the dedicated and hardworking staff of the Business Development Center,” states Mr. Rose.

Nominees for this award included Eric Mead of Mead Plumbing and Heating, Rebecca Persico of WCSS, and Julie Pierce of St. Mary’s Hospital.

Additionally, the Workforce Development Board, representing Montgomery County, will present their Business Partner of the Year Award to Mohawk Sign Systems, Inc. For the past six years, Mohawk’s leadership has worked cooperatively with the FMS Workforce Solutions Centers in obtaining and training quality employees. They are presently taking advantage of the Employed Worker Training Program incentives. This has saved on the cost of upgrading two employees as well as the expense of training on the new printer. In addition, Bettina has taken the time to be a presenter at our Business Connections in the Amsterdam Center. She has humorously given job seekers an opportunity to discover what the acceptable and appropriate behaviors are during a job search and interview.

In times when most employers are feeling pressured to lay off workers, Mohawk Sign Systems has maintained their workforce and continued to provide health insurance and 401K contributions for their employees. Year after year they continue to be consistent in their efforts to hire and train new workers, while maintaining a stable, steady and safe work environment for their employees.

Join The Chamber in honoring these recipients, Friday, January 29, at The RiverStone Manor, a Chamber Member, in Scotia. “This dinner typically has an attendance of 300 people, early reservations are encouraged,” continues Auspelmyer. “Being presented these prestigious awards with so many Chamber and business colleagues present is truly an honor.”

Sponsors for this year’s dinner include Fuccillo Automotive Group as the Premiere Event Sponsor; Rose & Kiernan as the platinum sponsor; Quandt’s Foodservice Distributors as the Awards Sponsor; Liberty as the Poster Sponsor and Miller Printing as the Program Booklet Sponsor.

For more information about the dinner, place an ad in the program booklet, or to make a reservation, please call The Chamber at 853-1800.

The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce announces that they have partnered with Austin Financial to offer Long Term Care Insurance to Chamber members at a 10 percent savings.

“With Americans living longer than ever, long term care is quickly becoming a growing concern,” states Chamber President, Deborah Auspelmyer. “Normally, the need for long term care results from a lengthy, chronic illness or something as unexpected as an accident or injury. We are pleased to be able to offer this product to our chamber members, their employees and families at a discount.”

Long term care can be expensive. National average to have a home health aid come to your house for 8 hours a day is $4,866 a month/$58,400 a year. Also the national average cost for a year in a private nursing home room is $77,380.

Long term care insurance benefits include, helping people plan/budget/anticipate the cost of care, giving you more choices as to the type of care you want and where you receive it. Long term care insurance also protects you and your family from financial hardship and emotional stress that comes from either paying for or providing care for loved ones, and preserves your retirement savings and legacy to your heirs.

“By meeting with us and becoming educated on this timely topic, if and when the time comes, members will have a well thought out plan to provide long term care for themselves and their families. In addition to personal life experience on this subject, we have the certifications, expertise and the Company to back us”, states Judy Austin from Austin Financial.

There are significant benefits to planning early for long term care insurance. The younger you are you can save money on the premium and you are more likely to be approved. Call the Chamber at 853-1800 or Al and Judy Austin at 673-2622 for more information.

In observance of Christmas Day, the Montgomery Area Xpress (MAX) Public
Transportation System will be closed Friday, December 25, 2009. The MAX
will resume services on Monday, December 28, 2009. Normal bus schedules
will run on Christmas Eve.

In observance of New Year’s Day, the Montgomery Area Xpress (MAX) Public
Transportation System will be closed Friday, January 1, 2010. The MAX will
resume services on Monday, January 4, 2010. Normal bus schedules will run
on New Year’s Eve.

While the holiday season’s activities have passed there are still plenty of winter activities going on in Montgomery County.

Enjoy ice skating behind Amsterdam’s City Hall. Grab your cross-country skis and snowshoes for an adventure across the Canalway Trail or through the Charleston State Forest.

Attention snowmobilers, the Fulton and Montgomery Counties Snowmobile map is now available! There are approximately 400 miles of snowmobile trails to enjoy between the two counties. The snowmobile map has been updated with new trails and a new look. Instead of using display advertising in this piece, we opted to keep the map winter-themed highlighting activities, annual winter events, snowmobile safety guidelines, snowmobile club information, snowmobile sales and repairs, and more.

The Arkell Museum and Canajoharie Library offer year round programming with family days, lecture series, concerts, and film series. On display through February 15 is Walter Wick: Games, Gizmos and Toys in the Attic. The exhibition, organized by the New Britain Museum of American Art, includes enlarged photographs and models used for Walter Wick’s popular I Spy and Can You See What I See? children’s books. Wick’s photographs and models escape the book to assume a larger than life presence that magically draws both children and adults into a world of make believe. Coming February 27 is American Tonalism: Paintings of Poetry and Soul.

January 16, “Your Favorite Doll Tea” returns to the GFWC Century Club. Your favorite doll and her guest will each receive her own personal invitation. Treats will include finger sandwiches; personal sized cake for your table and “tea”. Candid photos will be taken and printed to commemorate the event. The gift shop will be open and will have hand made clothing to fit your doll. A professional photographer will be on premises should you like a portrait for a portrait fee.

January 17, “The Erie Canal in Saratoga County with Historian John Scherer” lecture will be the January installment of Schoharie Crossing’s Winter Lecture Series. Retired history curator from the New York State Museum, John Scherer will explain the many reasons why the Erie Canal crossed the Mohawk River in Crescent into Saratoga County then back over to the south side at Rexford. He will trace the Canal’s route through Vischer Ferry and point out many Canal features such as locks, dry docks, canal stores, and aqueducts. Winter Workshops continue in February and March. New in 2010 is the Native American Film Festival in March with viewing and discussion of Native American films showing contemporary issues (1970’s to the present) such as alcoholism, activism, poverty, religious traditionalism, education, and prejudice.

January 18, the Walter Elwood Museum will be hosting another Vacation Camp Day for kids on with supervised programming available from 8:30am to 12:30pm for children ages 3 and up. The Camp Day will feature a lesson on African Masks and mask making. Each child will design and make their own mask to take home. This is just a sampling of the programs offered throughout the year at the Walter Elwood Museum.

Keep in mind most of these events are free or have nominal charges. Call me at 853-1800 ext. 12 for a free winter events calendar, snowmobile trails map, and more Montgomery County Tourism information. A downloadable PDF version of the snowmobile map is also located on the Montgomery County Tourism website www.visitmontgomerycountyny.com on the Brochures page.

I am currently looking for spring and summer events to be listed on our upcoming calendar. The deadline to have your event included is February 1, 2010. To submit your spring and summer events please e-mail them to tourism@montgomerycountyny.com, mail to Tourism Department, P.O. Box 836, Fonda, NY 12068 or fax (518)853-1813. Please submit the name of the event, contact name and phone number, where the event is held, a description of the event, dates and times, and admission fees; the more information submitted the better. Any questions call (518)853-1800 ext. 12. Please call if your business would like copies of the calendar to display.

The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will soon be printing the spring and summer calendar of events. The deadline to have your event included will be February 1, 2010.

Typically, larger tourism related events are used in the printing of the calendar which will include any attraction in Montgomery County with upcoming events. This also includes lecture, film, and concert series, farmers markets, festivals, and summer sporting activities. In addition, these events are listed on the Montgomery County Tourism website calendar at www.visitmontgomerycountyny.com. “I am encouraging all groups and attractions of any size to submit their event schedules to me. This promotion is at no cost to organizations,” stated Gina DaBiere-Gibbs, Tourism Director.

“Even if your event is not included in the print version of the calendar it will be our website. I then take the website events and e-blast them to a wide variety of community groups. Participants in the e-blast are encouraged to pass along the information to their friends, family and colleagues. These promotional opportunities increase awareness and communication about the happenings in Montgomery County.” To be added to DaBiere-Gibbs’ list e-mail her at tourism@montgomerycountyny.com with the subject line “Experience Montgomery County”. Most of the events on the calendar are of no charge or a nominal fee and family-friendly activities.

45,000 copies of each of the 2009 spring and summer and 2009 fall and winter the calendars were printed and distributed. The distribution includes businesses, newspapers, and information centers. “The tourism department receives thousands of leads from major market promotions each year. The calendars are part of a packet of information about Montgomery County tourism sent to these inquiries spanning the states from Maine to Florida to California and in between. In 2008 we reached out to Canada and received a positive response. We plan on continuing to advertise to this market in 2010,” added DaBiere-Gibbs. “The calendar is one resource of many that residents alike can use to learn more about events in their community.” DaBiere-Gibbs stresses the importance of turning events in since various organizations are linked to The Chamber’s website such as I Love NY, the Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission, and many local businesses and attractions. “We have also increased our participation in online media buys to advertise the tourism website over the past year. Online PDF versions of our printed event calendars are also available on the brochure page of www.visitmontgomercountyny.com,” adds DaBiere-Gibbs.

To submit your spring and summer events to DaBiere-Gibbs please e-mail them to tourism@montgomerycountyny.com, mail to Tourism Department, P.O. Box 836, Fonda, NY 12068 or fax (518)853-1813. Please submit the name of the event, contact name and phone number, where the event is held, a description of the event, dates and times, and admission fees; the more information submitted the better. Any questions call (518)853-1800 ext. 12. Please call if your business would like copies of the calendar to display.