Testimonials

Accomplishments

Here are just a few of the ways the Chamber has been working for the
business community over the past several months:

  • Built the 19,000 SF Orange County Chamber of Commerce Business Center in Montgomery, which, in addition to housing the Chamber office, includes the Small Business Training Center, and makes meeting space, A/V equipment and WiFi available to Chamber members at no charge (during regular business hours).
  • Succeeded in reducing Workers’ Comp rates for the average employer in NYS over 20% -- the greatest decline in rates since 1975 -- as a result of having two registered lobbyists on staff to speak out for business concerns in Goshen, Albany and in Washington, DC.
  • Continue to be a key advocate for Stewart International Airport, working on a regular basis with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
  • Played a significant role in ensuring completion of the new access road to Stewart Airport off Drury Lane, as well as the new I-84/I-87 (Thruway) connection.
  • Provided loans totaling more than $320,000 through the Minority and Women Business Revolving Loan and the Mid-Hudson Regional Loan Funds.
  • Inaugurated the Orange County Business Idol competition, which each year awards a marketing makeover valued at more than $15,000 to the winner. The program gives Chamber small business members the opportunity to compete for thousands of dollars in marketing and promotional opportunities that the business otherwise would not be able to afford.
  • Redesigned Chamber website (www.orangeny.com) provides easy, direct links for more than 20,000 visitors per month to member businesses. The website also includes a community calendar, personal reminders, online registration for events and many other items of interest.
  • Bring government resources and programs to our small businesses through initiatives including SCORE Counselors to America’s Small Business, the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
  • Inaugurated a new health insurance program – Orange Benefits Partners -- to offer more options to members for affordable health, dental and vision insurance.
  • Each year, notable individuals accept invitations to make keynote presentations at monthly Membership Breakfast Meetings (e.g., U.S. senators and Congressional representatives, NYS senators and Assembly representatives, NYS business leaders, etc.).
  • Two Job Mentors administer workforce training and development for local business in cooperation with the Orange County Employment and Training Administration.
  • Present conferences, seminars and workshops that assist members in a variety of business skills including technology, sales, marketing, hiring, business plans, financing, and many others.
  • Publicize grand openings, member news, member events, and new and renewing members in The Business Viewpoint, published monthly and distributed to over 80,000 readers.