Mission Statement
The Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce is a not for profit membership organization. The Chamber’s mission is to foster a positive business environment for private and public entities operating in the County and to assure the successful continuation of, and growth of current and new business in the County.
The Chamber’s Board of Directors has identified four major goals for the organization:
Goal #1 Member Services
The Chamber will seek to provide and regularly update those services needed by members.
Goal #2 Government Interface
The Chamber shall communicate and support the business interest of its members to relevant local, state and federal governments and keep the members informed of relevant legislative issues.
Goal #3 Visibility and Promotion
The Chamber will provide necessary means to promote Herkimer County as a great place to conduct business and to continue to promote Herkimer County as a “Great Place to Live, to Visit, and Make a Living.”
Goal #4 Unifying Business and Public Entities
The Chamber will work with both the local business community and all local public entities to provide a strong unified economy.
MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- President: Stephen "Doozer" Smith - Comptroller, Mohawk Valley Economic Development District
- 1st VP: Justin Hummel, Vice President of Retail Operations, Hummel's Office Plus
- 2nd VP: Arlene Broat, Branch Manager, NBT Bank
- Secretary: David LaValla - Owner, D. LaValla & Son, Inc.
- Treasurer: David Read - President, Day, Scarafile & Read, Inc.
- Sandra Claeys - Rochester Hardwood Floors of Utica, Inc.
- Arlene Broat - Branch Manager, NBT Bank
- Mark Cushman - Vice President of Operations, Fermer Precision
- Dominic Frank - Director of Operations, Herkimer Area Resource Center
- Paul Gagliardi - Branch Manager, M&T Bank
- Thomas Goldin - Security Supervisor, Remington Arms Company
- Melodie Greiner - Branch Manager, First Source Federal Credit Union
- Scott Hendrix - Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Services
- Justin Hummel - VP of Retail Operations, Hummels Office Plus
- Carl Marucci - Branch Manager, Adirondack Bank
- Mary Morse - Owner, Kwik-Kut Mfg.
- Dr. Ann Marie Murray - President, Herkimer County Community College
- Joseph Tomaino - Vice President, Newport Telephone Company/NTCNet
- Roger Skinner - President, Skinner Sales / Skinner & Damulis
- Robert Taylor - Ralph E. Taylor Agency
- Robert Watkins - Advance Group Financial Service
MEET OUR STAFF
- John J. Scarano - Executive Director
- Bonnie Ricci - Office Manager
THE BENEFITS INCLUDE:
- Free member web listing
- Group health & dental insurance
- County-wide calendar of events
- Tourism information
- “Discover Herkimer County” Promotional Plan
- “Business 2 Business” Educational Seminars
- Advertising opportunities
- B2B & Business After Hours events provide networking opportunities
- Informational newsletters
- Lobbying on legislative issues
- Mailing lists, directories, maps & demographic info
- Promotes shared services
- Acts as the voice of the business community on local, state, and national issues
- Promotes tourism in Herkimer County
- Coordinates many economic development activities in Herkimer County
- Member to Member Discounts
WORKING WITH OTHERS
Our Chamber has formed alliances with other chamber groups providing a larger presence in the business communities. We have joined with 8 other local chambers to form the Chamber Alliance of the Mohawk Valley. Plus we have united with the eastern counties of New York State in the "New York's Tech Valley Coalition". Please click on the corresponding logo below to find out more about these great organizations.
TESTIMONIALS
“I’ve always felt it was important to join and support the local Chamber but I was completely and pleasantly surprised to discover the amount of business we’ve received due to your brochure distribution program.
“As you know we track how each of our passengers have heard about us. I’m happy to report that for the month of July 2004 your brochure program brought us income of more than three times what our annual dues cost. I hope you plan to continue and perhaps expand this program for next season. I’d love to see at least 250 new locations where our brochure will be displayed. Thanks for implementing a very creative idea and keep up the great work!”
Captain Jerry Gertz
Erie Canal Cruises
“We are impressed with the work that the Herkimer County Chamber is doing working regionally and promoting the cultural heritage of the County. Herkimer County is a great place to live and work, and the Chamber is doing a great job spreading the message”
Linda B. Vincent
Little Falls Canal Place
“The Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce is working tirelessly to improve the economy of the Mohawk Valley. Working together, we will endeavor to improve the quality of life for the people of Herkimer County.”
NYS Senator James L. Seward
51st District