BY PAUL MITCHELLNorth Country This Week

CANTON – Now that the St. Lawrence County Chamber merger is official and individual chambers of commerce in Canton, Ogdensburg and Massena have county chamber representatives in place, a push to rebuild membership countywide while attracting volunteers to serve as ambassadors is underway.

“We need the engagement of people from our communities,” stated Ben Dixon, executive director of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. “The Integrated Chamber concept is about community and partnership, and we look forward to working with the businesses, non-profit and service organizations, and municipal leadership in the communities. I encourage businesses to become members and interested stakeholders to sign up as Ambassadors for the Chamber, to make those partnerships happen. It is together that we will do great things in Ogdensburg, Massena, Canton, and all the communities of the county.”

Dixon reported Thursday that the Department of State has approved the chamber mergers.

“They approved our requested effective date of merger of Jan. 1, 2024. So, the Canton  Chamber of Commerce, Incorporated, Massena Chamber of Commerce, Inc., and Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce are now legally and officially merged into the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce,” said Dixon in an email.

“It is exciting that the mergers of the Ogdensburg, Massena, and Canton Chambers of Commerce with the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce are legally effective, and we want to thank the countless partners who helped to make it happen. Now we look to carry the vision forward to action and impact in those communities. 

Laura Pearson, Community Coordinator in Ogdensburg and Massena, in an email,  said things are well underway with the Integration and activity in all three communities. She will be working in Massena on Mondays and Tuesdays and in the Ogdensburg office on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Pearson also emphasized the importance of community involvement via the ambassador's initiative.

“We need that cadre of volunteers in each community to help with everything from event management to ribbon cuttings to member business promotion. This needs to be a movement in these communities,” said Pearson.

Interested parties can learn more about being an Ambassador, and sign up at https://www.visitstlc.com/chamber-ambassador-program/.

Dixon said businesses can learn about benefits of being a chamber member and apply online at www.slcchamber.org.

Canton interested parties can reach out to our Canton Community Coordinator & Communications Specialist, Katie Berry, at Katie@SLCChamber.org.

Ogdensburg and Massena stakeholders can reach out to Laura Pearson, Community Coordinator & Business Development Specialist, at Laura@SLCChamber.org. 

“These representatives and the rest of the passionate staff at the Chamber can all be reached by phone at 315-386-4000,” Dixon noted.