The following story originally appeared as a “Progress 2016” story in North Country This Week.

The Greater Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce is excited about the year ahead as it begins 2016. The Chamber provides many quality benefits to our members. Our benefits include:

• Access to health care for petite to large businesses,

• Participation in the Chambers Dollars program – “shop local” campaign,

• Access to our bulk rate mail permit (savings of 50% per mailing),

• Business listing on the Chamber website,

• Articles in our Monthly Newsletter – reaching over 200 members,

• Links to your website from the Chamber website.

Other benefits are:

• Advertisement in Chamber publications,

• Referrals to your business from personal visits, phone, email or fax inquiries,

• Display of your business brochure in the Chamber office,

• Access to our mailing list to increase your business contacts,

• Representation at trade shows and expos,

• Sponsorship opportunities for Chamber events to increase your marketing.

With further benefits being:

• E-blasts to chamber members – highlighting specials/discounts/events,

• Business of the Quarter awards that recognize our members,

• Listing in the on-line Annual Chamber Member Directory,

• NEW -- Discount prescription card,

• NEW -- Access to a health savings account (HSA), and

• NEW -- Group discounts for AAA membership.

The Chamber membership runs from January 1 to December 31. Our dues are based upon the number of employees.

Vendor Membership are new. We are equally interested in helping small “mom & pop” businesses as well as large organizations. If you own a craft business or are an independent consultant for an established home-based business, we can help you market and promote your business.

The Chamber’s time and efforts are equally shared between business advocacy, enhancing community spirit, and promoting tourism and the City of Ogdensburg.

The Chamber attends seminars and trade shows and has published 15,000 travel guides which have been distributed throughout the US and Canada. The Chamber office stocks and distributes brochures from attractions throughout New York State and Canada.

The Chamber continues to grow our signature events that bring visitors to Ogdensburg and surrounding communities who frequent hotels/motels, banks, shopping centers, convenience stores/gas stations, restaurants and local attractions.

Events include the hugely popular 10th Polar Bear Plunge; Car-B-Que; North Country Wine, Beer and Food Festival; NYS BASS Tournament; Ogtoberfest and the Thanksgiving Craft Show.

The Chamber also participates other events such as EXPO, Seaway Festival and Light up the Night Parade.

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will be opened a satellite office in Ogdensburg on Tuesday, February 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to assist new businesses with start-up information and to help existing businesses improve and broaden their horizons.

We are also working on workshops to offer to the public on improving their businesses with social media, marketing, networking and other interesting topics.

The Chamber store, The Crescent, is filled with t-shirts, sweatshirts, books, Christmas ornaments, maps, postcards and other wonderful gifts that promote Ogdensburg and our rich history.

Visit our website at www.OgdensburgNY.com or like us on Facebook to find out more information on a Chamber membership or what is going on in our community.