Fulton Chamber Promotes Area’s Business Endeavors
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A diversified economic base is keeping Fulton County on a steady course during some turbulent times, even as the Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry works creatively to build a self-sustaining region.
“What has really happened here in the last 20 years is that we’ve been able to diversify,” says Wally Hart, chamber president and CEO. “Even though it has been a tough year for everyone, our businesses have moved with it, and they’re doing as well as they can.”
The chamber has been proactive during this period, providing hands-on assistance to help their business members weather the storm.
A comprehensive “shop local” program is reaping results, Hart says. “I’m not talking about just buying Christmas presents,” he says. “It’s about ordering supplies and materials and having parts made, like plastic extrusions. We have partnered with a number of chambers in our region to have a manufacturers directory online and in print that offers listings of items that are available in this area. We want to know what our businesses are buying, where they’re buying it and what can be bought here that will support this area. We are working to be a self-sustaining region.”
A copy of the directory has been sent to every school district and municipality in a nine-county region, so that the purchases made will support the companies and small businesses that provide the jobs and pay the taxes in the area.
“We’re also providing assistance for our members to really look at their core business and determine what they may need to change or add to their core structure,” Hart says. “We will help them with anything we can, such as resources with business plan development and business evaluation. We just have to hunker down, and as we come out of this downturn, our businesses will be stronger and more capable than they ever have been.”
Tourism is booming, as the fishing tournament business continues to grow as people stay closer to home to take advantage of the beautiful scenery. Fulton County has again been recognized by Field and Stream magazine as one of New York state’s best places to hunt and fish, and the region continues to lure big fishing tournaments and sponsorships with its beautiful lakes. In May 2010, they will host the New York State Outdoor Writers Association at an Outdoor Safari, where writers will visit Fulton County over a four-day period to learn about the area’s bounty of natural resources, hopefully spreading the word throughout the state and beyond.
In serving its members, the chamber continues its focus on advocacy, providing a unified voice on local, regional, state and national business issues, as well as giving members the opportunity to participate in networking and education programs.
Story by Betsy Williams
