NewslineTo better serve you, you can call (518) 725-0641 to reach either of the two Chamber offices.

AUGUST 2014

2 North Main Street, Gloversville • (518) 725-0641 • 1166 Riverfront Center, Amsterdam

We are the leading voice of business in the region providing advocacy, resources and solutions for our members

On Thursday, July 10 the Chamber hosted its annual softball game at Shuttleworth Park in Amsterdam. The Chamber Board/Staff team consisted of Michele Marzullo and Nicole Walrath both of the Chamber office staff; Kristen Kline Chamber guest; John Swierzowski, National Grid; Toby Simonds, Sarah Jane Sanford Adult Home for Women; Peggy Peck, Ruby & Quiri; Rusty Kuehling, Chamber guest; Jacob Reinhart, Alpin Haus; Pete Rose, Betz Rossi, Bell-inger & Stewart; Bill Baaki, Community Member; and Joe Ulrich, Amsterdam Recorder. The opposing team named Chamber Member Team was made up of Matt Heroth and Jared Allen, both of Benjamin Moore; Tom Ward, North Country Ecological Services; Will Mykel was Chamber guest; Amanda Gogis, Elma’s Tax Service; Maura Kuehling, the Am-sterdam Recorder; Shaun Brown and Andrea Muhlbeck of Patriot Federal Bank; Tom Fos-ter, Spinner Productions; and Rado Ramierez, Verizon Wireless. Jeanne So, Sarah Jane Sanford Adult Home was an umpire. It was a perfect evening for the game with weather on our side and a good time for all despite the final score of 19-1 in favor of the Member Team. A special thanks goes out to Brian Spagnola for hosting the game and arranging a “free admission” for members and their families for the Chamber game and the Amsterdam Mohawks v.s. Watertown Rams. They also treated the players and coaches to free food and a cake in honor of Mojo’s birth-day on the Veteran’s Deck. Board/staff team coach Terry Swierzowski congratulated ev-eryone on a great game and closed with “Members always win- because they’re members of the Chamber”. For future Amsterdam Mohawk events contact Brian Spagnola at (518) 791-7546 or visit the website at www.amsterdammohawks.com. n

Chamber Members

Take a Swing at Board and

Staff

Rado Ramirez from Verizon Wireless

Peggy Peck playing for Ruby & Quiri

Nicole Walrath and Michele Marzullo from the Chamber staff

The Chamber held an Eggs & Issues Breakfast on a beautiful summer morning in July at the Canada

Lake Store and Marine in Canada Lake. There was great discussion about business and tourism

at the event that was attended by ChamberPresident Mark Kilmer, Membership Director Michele Marzullo and Fulton County Tourism

Director Gina DaBiere-Gibbs.

Eggs & Issues Heldat Canada Lake Store

Dear Member, The theme of this month’s newsletter is Econom- i c Development and the many opportunities that are available to you and your business within our region. As you will see, there is a variety of agencies you can access from large regional, to countywide, to local and targeted municipal options. Your Chamber for many years has had a partnership with our Economic Development agencies to help nurture our region’s growth. With our representation on various Boards, to our strong involvement with the CEO Round-table to administering our own Loan Pool for Downtown Amsterdam, we strive to push for a strong Economic Future. If you are ever in a need of access, resources and solutions to your business needs, remember, your Chamber is your partner. It was barely into the month of June when I am sure that most of you noticed, as I did, that campaign commercials were already slowly starting to show up on television, radio, and in other media outlets. I know that Election Day is still far off in November, and there are still primaries to be held, and the fact is that some candidates have not yet even announced their intentions to run. Butnowmaybethetimetostarttakingnoteofthosewhowillberunningforoffice,andall the issues that will be confronting our municipalities, state and nation. Start educating yourself on these issues, and as candidates come forward, please listen carefully to their message and platform and remember what they say today so that you may hold their “feet tothefire”tomorrow. Make it a point to look for consistency in the words these candidates put forth to make sure they are not just saying what is convenient at the moment, and try to avoid putting too much emphasis in the political pundits. Research the candidates and check the accuracy of the claims they make, while also checking the history of the incumbents to see if they stuck to the promises they made to get them elected.Weallknowthatcampaignsarebynomeansgetting“kinderandgentler,”sotrynottogetcaught up in the hype that so often turns ugly. Consider only the meaningful facts in the messages put forth by these candidates and their representatives. Consider every state-ment made, and test its truthfulness. So, why am I writing this in August when November seems so far off? I recall the days whenIwasinschoolandthemanytimesIwouldhaveto“cram”foratest.BelievemewhenI tell you that is a very frustrating situation to be in. Despite the fact that I would always man-age to get by, I found my performance was always much better when I would consistently studythetesttopicregularly,startingwellbeforethedateofthetest.Andstilltoday,Ifindmyself still cramming in some ways – like in completing this article right before deadline! Remember, as citizens we can make a difference and as citizens we do have an obliga-tion and duty to vote. If we don’t take that obligation seriously, and approach it intelligently, itcouldverywellbeawastedvote.Iamaskingyounotto“cram”forthatveryimportanttestthat will take place on November 4. Start studying now so that when you walk into the voting boothtomakethoseverysignificantdecisionsaboutcandidates,pleasedosowithalltheconfidencethatthechoiceyoumakewillbetherightoneforyouandyourbusiness.

Officers

Directors

Staff

Chairwoman of the BoardTerri Easterly, Coldwell Banker - Arlene M. Sitterly, Inc.Chairman ElectBrennen Parker, Rose & Kiernan, Inc.

Immediate Past ChairsMark Finkle, The Glove Performing Arts CenterCharles Schwartz Esq.,The Schwartz Law FirmFirst Vice ChairPaul Connelie, Benjamin Moore & Co., Inc.TreasurerJim Landrio, Holiday Inn, Johnstown-Gloversville

Michael J. BowkerNBT Bank

James A. Del SavioWEST & Co., CPA’s, PC

Vic GiulianelliSt. Mary’s Healthcare

Andy HeckAlpin Haus

Scott HohenforstEmpire Chemical Sales, Inc.

Amy KarasRuby & Quiri

Laurence KellyNathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home

Donna LewisAdirondack Foothills R.V. Campground

Nancy LueyPatriot Federal Bank

John ManciniBeacon Insurance Agency Group, Inc.

Diana MarshallGloversville Sewing CenterRobert McCarthyFrontier

Kevin McClaryThe Recorder

Judy PhetteplaceJudith Ann Realty

Lana RuggieroRuggiero Realty, LLC

Jeanne SoSarah Jane Sanford Adult Home

Dr. Dustin SwangerFulton-Montgomery Community College

Don WicksellKingsboro Lumber Co.

Samuel ZimmermanMohawk Valley Group at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

Mark KilmerPresident / CEO

Terry SwierzowskiVice President, Communications and Member Services

Gina DaBiere-GibbsTourism Director

Shelley DiBlasioNewsline & Advertising Administrator

Becky DutcherFinancial Administrator & Office Manager

Michele MarzulloDirector of Membership

Nicole WalrathTourism Assistant

Printed by: Underwritten by:

Message from the PresidentBy

Mark Kilmer, President / CEO

of the Chamber of Commerce

2 Chamber News

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The Montgomery County Business Development Center (MCBDC) is the lead Economic Development Agency for Montgomery County. The MCBDC contains the offices of the Montgomery County Depart-ment of Economic Development, Planning and Tourism and the Mont-gomery County Industrial Development Agency (MCIDA). By joining forces and pooling resources, the County and the MCIDA provide pro-fessional economic development assistance to businesses interested in expanding or relocating in Montgomery County. The MCBDC can provide access to real estate solutions, financial assistance and incen-tives, a skilled labor pool, superior infrastructure, as well as business development and technical assistance. In addition, the Center pro-vides County Planning services and grant writing.

Business Assistance Whether you’re an existing company interested in expansion or re-location, or a new company interested in starting a business in Mont-gomery County, the MCBDC has the resources to provide a “one-stop shop” service for Business, Economic Development and Planning Ser-vices. The staff possesses the skills to provide technical assistance to interested businesses on issues related to: • Local Government (permits, approvals, tax structures, utilities, access to local economic development program, etc.) • State and Federal Government (permits, approvals, financing, taxes, etc.) • Local Incentives (industrial park land, bonding, revolving loan fund, PILOT, etc.) • Business Development and Technical Assistance (loan packaging, business planning, outreach, grant writing, etc.) • Meeting locational needs and real estate solutions (incubator space, shovel-ready site) • Assisting with workforce and other labor needs.

MCBDC Straight Lease Program The MCBDC, through the Montgomery County Industrial Development Agency (MCIDA), can provide financial assistance to private entities through tax incentives. The MCIDA by holding nominal title or leasehold interest in the project site can offer financial incentives in the form of issuance of Indus-trial Revenue bonds (IRB’s), real property, sales and mortgage recording tax exemptions. Issuance of Tax Exempt and Taxable Bonds-This incentive can be used to fund all, or substantially all, of the costs of a project. IRB bond financing is available to qualifying manufacturing firms. These bonds encourage lend-ers to provide project financing at interest rates below market. IRB’s can be used to finance the cost of land, buildings, machinery and equipment. Real Property Tax Abatement- The MCIDA has the authority to negotiate a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement on a project deemed reason-ably necessary to incentivize.

Sales and Use Tax Exemption- Exemption of up to 8% on non-production equipment and construction materials.Mortgage Recording Exemption- Exemption of 3/4% on amount of mortgage financed.

Montgomery County Community Development Fund The Community Development Fund was started in 1989 to provide fund-ing to qualified economic development projects. The main function of the fund is to provide low interest loans to businesses located in or relocating to Montgomery County. The funds may be used for a variety of projects includ-ing real estate acquisition, working capital, construction as well as machinery and equipment purchases. Available loan funds are based on job creation/retention commitments. Rates and terms are determined on a project-by-project basis.

Rural Business Enterprise Revolving Loan Fund The U.S.D.A Rural Business Enterprise Revolving Loan Fund is available to businesses in Montgomery County with a focus on the rural communities of the County. Funds are available for a variety of projects including real estate acquisition, working capital, construction as well as machinery and equip-ment purchase. The Montgomery County Business Development Center is located at the Old County Courthouse, 9 Park Street, (P.O. Box 1500) in Fonda. Phone is (518) 853-8334 and website is www.mcbdc.org. The MCBDC staff is comprised of Kenneth F. Rose, CEO; Sheila M. Snell, CFO/Economic Development Specialist; Karl W. Gustafson, Economic De-velopment Specialist/Tourism, and William Roehr, Senior Planner. n

Our region is lucky enough to have a number of economic development entities and agencies in our region that, like the Chamber, support our businesses and work toward a thriving community. Following is a look at five of these entities, the Montgomery County Business Development Center, the Fulton County Center for Regional Growth, the Fulton County Industrial Development Agency, and the Amsterdam IDA and Promote Gloversville. We hope you find this information useful and informative.

Economic Development in Our Region - Partners in Business

Montgomery County BusinessDevelopment Center

Fulton County Center for Regional Growth

The Fulton County Center for Regional Growth (FCCRG) is a pri-vate, not-for-profit member organization whose mission is to promote the economic growth of the Fulton County Region through marketing the region and its resources to businesses who wish to locate or ex-pand in Fulton County. The FCCRG started as the Fulton County Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC), an agency that was established by the private business sector of the area in the 1980’s. Designed to possess the necessary tools to develop shovel-ready and state-of-the-art industri-al parks, the necessary infrastructure and the monies to react to the needs of business, FCEDC was able to start developing a more positive future for the region. In the late 1980s, Crossroads Incubator Corporation was estab-lished to work as the real estate management arm of EDC. Working with Fulton County Industrial Development Agency, the Crossroads Industrial Park and the Johnstown Industrial Park were created to ac-commodate national corporations looking to site buildings with a large footprint.

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518 661-5055 Fax: 518 661-6998

4 Chamber NewsContinued from page 3

In the late 1990’s, the County initiated plans for the Crossroads Busi-ness Park that was developed for high-tech businesses with smaller wooded lots and a hilltop with a view of the foothills of the Adirondacks. At this time, the corporate structures of the FCEDC and CIC underwent several changes and the CIC’s growing real estate portfolio allowed it to become and independent entity as it took on more challenging proj-ects, such as transforming a 1920’s era hotel into a professional office complex in 2001. In 2007 the CIC took an abandoned middle school in downtown Gloversville and turned it into a modern apartment complex – the Estee Commons.

Taking a Regional Approach As the national economic climate began to change, the Boards of Directors of EDC and CIC looked to consolidate once more into one corporation. Negotiations began in 2009 and during the first quarter of 2012, Fulton County Center for Regional Growth (FCCRG) was born.FCCRG continues to provide loan funding to qualified small business-es; work with new or expanding businesses in the development of com-mercial property to suit their specific needs; and market the region on a national and international scale. CRG’s President and CEO is part of a regional marketing group that is working to cross county borders, bring-ing Fulton and Montgomery Counties together in an unprecedented way as they prepare for shared economic development success along their border.

Realizing Success Through partnerships with the public and private sectors, the agen-cy’s accomplishments since the late 1980s have included the con-struction or renovation of 46 buildings – a combined square footage of 2,447,379 – resulting in $120 million invested in our region. To date, they have attracted such companies as Walmart’s Return Center and Northeast Distribution Center #6096, FAGE USA Dairy, Eu-phrates, Inc. and many other companies to secure more than 2,000 jobs in the region.

How can the FCCRG assist your business?Available Real Estate

The FCCRG can assist you to establish and grow your business. Their strength lies in their ability to help you assess your needs and work to make your project a reality. They have relationships with re-gional real estate agents and can find the right location for your com-pany. As for readily available space, Fulton County’s three parks offer several prime locations for new or growing businesses.

Small Business Loans FCCRG administers five loan pools, providing financial assistance to local small businesses. Whether you are a start-up business or a longtime fixture in the business community, CRG can assist you to es-tablish or expand your company. FCCRG is ready to help expand, relo-cate or start your business. The FCCRG administers revolving loan funds in excess of $6 mil-lion. These funds were established to encourage investment in Fulton County, and as the administrator of the funds, FCCRG’s Loan Commit-tee reviews and processes loan applications and has assisted compa-nies secure project financing in excess of approaching $100 million.

Revolving Loan Pool Guidelines1. Job creation is a major goal of the pool. The loan to job ratio is up to a maximum of $15,000/job created and/or retained.2. That ratio is determined by the FCCRG on a case-by-case basis.

3. The pool may finance between 15-25% of eligible project costs.4. The project owner will be required to invest a minimum of 10% of project costs as equity.5.Eligible project costs include the acquisition of real estate and/or capital equipment.6.Interest rates are determined solely by the FCCRG based upon the strength of the project, current market conditions and strength of the collateral offered.7. Terms will be flexible, but will mirror the economic life of the assets acquired with loan proceeds.

One-Stop Permit Assistance FCCRG can identify and assemble all the required permits and pa-perwork for your business, and a representative from the permit-issuing agencies assists with the applications.

Construction Management FCCRG can connect you with a professional team of architects, builders, lawyers, permit specialists, and building maintenance crews that provide assistance in the following ways: • Site plan development • Coordinate the process of contractor bid requests, review and award Current FCCRG staff members are Mike Reese and Becky Hatcher. They can be reached at Fulton County Center for Regional Growth110 Decker Drive, Suite 201,Johnstown, NY 12095E-mail: fccrg@fccrg.org n

Continued on page 5

Fulton County IndustrialDevelopment Agency

The Fulton County Industrial Development Agency’s (FCIDA) mission is to promote, develop, encourage and assist in the acquiring, construct-ing, reconstruction, improving, maintaining, equipping and furnishing industrial, manufacturing, warehousing, and commercial and research facilities, thereby advance the job opportunities, general prosperity and economic welfare of the State of New York and to improve their standard of living. To do this, the FCIDA has been given the power by NY State to offer incentives in the form of tax exemptions to stimulate certain private sec-tor investment. IDAs are authorized to provide three forms of tax exemp-tions – Property Tax, Sales Tax, and Mortgage Recording Tax. Property Tax: NYS designates IDAs as tax exempt entities. When an IDA holds title to the real property of a project, NYS Law says all improvements on

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5Chamber News

and local residents. Corporation for the purpose of assisting in the cre-ation and retention of both employment opportunities and businesses in the City of Amsterdam. A.I.D.A includes a seven member Board of Directors appointed by the Amsterdam City Common Council to oversee the Agency’s opera-tions. Board members include members of the business community and local residents.Some of the services provided by AIDA include: • Site or Building location assistance • Competitive lease rates • Property Tax Abatements through Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) programs • Bonding • Access to Job Training Programs & Employee Referral Assistance • Competitive loan rates through the Jobs for Amsterdam (JFA) ProgramFor Questions or Concerns Please Contact AIDA: • AIDA Executive Director, Jody Zakrevsky • Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. • Phone: (518) 842-5011 • email: jzakrevsky@amsterdamny.gov

Gloversville Economic Development Corp. Also known as “Promote Gloversville,” this entity similar to the Am-sterdam IDA, was created to create and retain jobs and businesses in the City of Gloversville. The Gloversville Economic Development Corporation has loans for businesses within the city limits of Gloversville. Minimum amount of a loan is $5K. This revolving loan fund makes loans for those who have had trouble procuring financing from primary sources. The Gloversville EDC will partner with banks for lending and also with the Fulton County Center for Regional Growth on a 50/50 lending basis. Loans cannot be used for operating capital, but rather are for the purchasing of property or equipment, renovations, startup costs, etc. The Gloversville Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors is currently comprised of Chamber President/CEO Mark Kilm-er (who serves as the group’s Vice Chair), Joyce Royal (Chair, Joyce Royal Real Estate); Scott Hohenforst (Empire Chemical Sales); Lana Ruggiero (Ruggiero Real Estate); Nancy Luey (Patriot Federal Bank); Rich Lee (NBT Bank); Scott Horton (Correll Contracting Corp.); Wally Hart (Lexington); and Susan Casey (Beacon Wearhouse). The Board meets monthly or as needed to look at loan applications. The Gloversville Economic Development Corporation also owns the Argersinger Building on North Main Street in downtown Gloversville and leases space there. To lease space in the building your business/organization has to be a non-profit or not-for-profit. Space is currently available and it will be renovated to suit. For loan inquiries, or to inquire about space in the Argersinger Building, please contact any member of the Board of Directors or the Fulton County Center for Regional Growth at 110 Decker Drive, John-stown, (518) 725-7700, miker@fccrg.org n

Economic Development Entitieson the Municipal Level:

the property are exempt from all general real property taxes. However, the land that the improvements are located on remain taxable. These exemptions apply as long as the IDA holds title to the property. The Fulton County IDA requires companies to make Payments in Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT). A PILOT is a written Agreement between the IDA and a company. The Agreement states that even though the proj-ect is tax exempt, the company shall make certain payments to local taxing jurisdictions. PILOTs consist of an agreed upon percentage of the property tax that would otherwise be due on the property if the project had been completed without IDA involvement. PILOT’s are developed in accordance with the Fulton County IDA ’s Uniform Tax Exemption Policy. Sales Tax: The Fulton County IDA offers exemptions from sales tax-es on eligible materials purchased during construction and for eligible equipment for the project. Mortgage Recording Tax: If a project involves a mortgage, compa-nies can receive an exemption from NYS mortgage recording tax. In Fulton County, this tax equals 0.75 percent of the total mortgage. The IDA can also provide important financing for a project through the issuance of bonds to finance new or expansion projects. Financial institutions, such as banks, insurance companies or private individuals purchase these bonds as an investment. The business commits to repay the principal and interest to the lender. The IDA acts as an inter-mediary for this private transaction. These are no IDA or public funds involved in an IDA bond transaction. History of Industrial Development Agencies in New York StateIn 1969, legislation was enacted providing for the creation of IDAs to facilitate economic development in specific localities, and delineating their powers and status as public benefit corporations. There are active IDAs in each of the State’s counties, as well as in a number of mu-nicipalities. To improve economic conditions in their respective areas, IDAs generally attempt to attract, retain and expand businesses within their jurisdictions through the provision of financial incentives to private entities. Quick Facts about the Fulton County IDA • IDA created in 1970. • IDA Board has 7 members appointed by the Board of Supervisors. • IDA members are non-paid. • IDA Board meets on an as-needed basis. • NYS designates IDA’s as tax-exempt. To contact the Fulton County IDA: James E. Mraz, Executive DirectorFulton County Planning Department, 1 East Montgomery Street, John-stown, NY 12095 or (518) 736-5660 n

Continued from page 4

Amsterdam IDA The Amsterdam Industrial Development Agency or AIDA was cre-ated in 1973 as a Public Benefit Corporation for the purpose of assist-ing in the creation and retention of both employment opportunities and businesses in the City of Amsterdam. A.I.D.A includes a seven member Board of Directors appointed by the Amsterdam City Common Council to oversee the Agency’s opera-tions. Board members include members of the business community Continued to page 6

Continued from page 56 Chamber News

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MORE Funding Ideas for High Deductible Health Plans

Last month, our topic was funding a High Deductible Health Plan with an HSA (Health Savings Account) . Another method of funding the deductible, is through a Health Reimbursement Arrangement or HRA. Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) are plans designed to help employers and employees lower health care costs. Allowed un-der sections 105 and 106 of the Internal Revenue Code, HRAs enable employers to reimburse employees for out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by insurance. HRAs are often combined with high-deduct-ible health plan coverage.

What are HRAs? HRAs are employer-paid health care arrangements that are often paired with high-deductible health plans to lower health care costs. Typically, an employer creates an unfunded HRA account for each participating employee and reimburses the employee up to the HRA’s account balance for substantiated medical expenses not covered by insurance, such as insurance premiums, deductibles and copayments.

How do HRAs work? If an employer chooses to offer an HRA, it establishes eligibility rules, a maximum reimbursement amount and a list of eligible expens-es. (This list must comply with section 213(d) medical expenses as de-fined in the Internal Revenue Code.) After incurring medical expenses, employees submit claims to the HRA administrator for reimbursement.

Tax implications For employers, all HRA reimbursements are tax-deductible. For employees, contribution amounts made by employers are tax-free and reimbursements for medical expenses are also tax-free.

Advantages Employers benefit from offering HRAs by reducing insurance costs and restructuring health benefits. By moving employees to high-de-ductible health plans, costs are more predictable and controlled as employees are encouraged to become better health care consumers.

Health Reimbursement Account Savings Example • Sample group – 150 employees, plus 201 covered dependents • Reduce health premiums by changing the deductible from $250 to $1,000. The HRA reimburses employees for the additional $750 out-of-pocket costs.

Insurance Premium Savings:Total annual premium for group

• Old plan - $250 deductible = $259,331.60 • New Plan - $1,000 deductible = $61,531.75 • Premium savings with new plan = $197,799.85

Reimbursement Costs: Scenario: If 225 lives satisfy $1,000 deductible while others satisfy $250 or less (225 lives x $750 reimbursement) = $168,750.00

Net Savings: Subtract reimbursement costs from premium savings: $197,799.85 – 168,750.00

Net Annual Savings = $29,049.85Note: Savings not guaranteed. Individual results depend on actual employee expenses incurred.

HRAs motivate employees to make better health care and future plan-ning decisions. Employees benefit from the protection HRAs provide against cata-strophic medical costs. HRA funds can be used to cover a wide range of health care expenses, but unlike health flexible spending accounts (FSAs), HRAs can be designed to allow funds to be carried over year to year. However, unused HRA amounts may not be cashed out—only car-ried over to the following year. Also, employers may establish account caps on total HRA account balances and include rollover maximums on carryover balances. Below is a simple example of how an HRA can help both employer and employee save money on health insurance premiums and health care costs:

Health Insurance Newsby Matt Clarke of Bouchey & Clarke Benefits, Inc.

There are other rules and subtleties to Health Reimbursement Ar-rangements. Please call us at (518) 720-8888 if you have questions or would like to explore these options in more detail for your company’s benefit plan. n

The purpose of the Downtown Association for Business Loan Fund (DAB Loans) is to assist downtown Amsterdam businesses, whether existing or start-ups, in securing financing. The loans were created by the former Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and were origi-nally funded by Empire State Development. Loans are limited to busi-nesses located in certain areas within the City of Amsterdam – within census tracts 702, 703, 704, 706, 707 and 708. Roughly that is an area bounded on the south by the NYS Thruway, east to the Edson Street In-dustrial Park and north on Widow Susan Road to the Shuttleworth Park area and Amsterdam Muni Golf Course, and east to St. Mary’s Hospital. Loans are made on a small issue basis and will not exceed $25,000 to any one borrower. Financing must be matched by at least 25 percent conventional or other financing source; generally, part of the project

financing must come from a conventional lender. Each loan should create or retain at least one, new full-time job for every $25,000 in fund-ing. The loans are made primarily for buildings, land, fixed assets and capital equipment items. The business must be registered in New York State and registered in the County of Montgomery. Loans are made on the recommendation of a DAB Loan Advisory Committee, of which the Chamber President serves as Chair in an advisory capacity, but is not a voting member. There are five voting members on the committee. For more information contact Mark Kilmer, Chamber President/CEO, at (518) 725-0641. Successful loans have been made to a number of downtown Amsterdam businesses and have helped them expand, make improvements to their buildings, and purchase equipment. n

Business Loans Through The Chamber – Downtown Association For Business

7Chamber News

The 2014 Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament sponsored by the Chamber tees off Wednesday, August 20 at Amsterdam Muni Golf Course. This event allows you to promote your business and enjoy a great day of golf with friends and future business acquaintances. The day starts out with registration at 10:30am with shotgun start at 12 noon. There will be a BBQ on the course for lunch with snacks and bev-erages throughout the day. Test your hand out with the putting contest. After the cocktail hour in the lounge a prime rib dinner follows. The high-light of the events will be the awards ceremony. You can also promote your business with 200 goody items. THANK YOU to the following busi-nesses who have already committed their support to our tournament at which monies are raised for our scholarship program which awards six $1,000 one-time scholarships to students in our region: Apparel Sponsor – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home Dinner Sponsor – Bouchey & Clarke Benefits, Inc. Awards Reception Sponsor – St. Mary’s Healthcare Lunch Sponsor – NBT Bank Cocktail Hole Sponsor – Ricmar Design & Print Tee/Hole Sponsors – FAGE USA Dairy Industry, Inc., Flooring Authority, Inc., 1st National Bank of Scotia, Alpin Haus It’s not too late to be a tee and hole sponsor or even promote your business in our golf program. Ads cost $100 for a half page ad and $150 for a full page ad. Contact newsline@fultonmontgomeryny.org for an ad. For the goody items, scheduling a single or a foursome contact terrys@fultonmontgomeryny.org . n

g lf classicg lf classic2014 Chamber SCholarShip

Since 1991, Saratoga Arts has awarded nearly $940,000 in grant funds to support community arts and cultural programming, and artist residencies in schools throughout Saratoga, Fulton, and Montgomery Counties. For the 2014 grant cycle, Saratoga Arts has awarded $81,900 for 32 projects involving artists, non-profits, and schools in Saratoga, Fulton, and Montgomery Counties. To learn about arts grants opportunities for individual artists and non-profit organizations in Saratoga County visit http://www.saratoga-arts.org/grants/spaf-non-profits; and in Fulton and Montgomery Coun-ties, visit http://www.saratoga-arts.org/grants/non-profits-artistsThe grant program receives support from Saratoga Arts through its Saratoga Program for Arts Funding & Fulton-Montgomery Arts Grants Program, which are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Are you affiliated with a Saratoga, Fulton, or Montgomery County non-profit or municipality planning arts, cultural, or school programming for 2015? Or are you an individual artist wanting to create new work and engage your local community in your creative process? Attend an Informational Grant Seminar and learn how to apply for funding for your projects and programs! New and returning applicants are required to attend a seminar. If you are unable to attend a seminar, individual appointments may also be arranged. Grant seminar preregistration is required. Please call 584-4132 to pre-register with the Saratoga Arts Council receptionist.

Fulton-Montgomery Counties Grant SeminarsMonday, October 6, 2014 Creative Connections Arts Center, 303 East Main Street, Amsterdam 9:00am-10:00am, Project Grants 10:15am-11:15am, Arts Education Grants 11:30am-12:30pm, Individual Artist Grants

Tuesday, October 14, 2014 Fonda Public Library, 28 West Main St., Fonda 4:00pm-5:00pm, Individual Artist Grants 5:30pm-6:30pm, Project Grants 6:45pm-7:45pm, Arts Education Grants

Tuesday, October 21, 2014 The Arkell Museum, 2 Erie Blvd., Canajoharie 4:00pm-5:00pm, Individual Artist Grants 5:30pm-6:30pm, Project Grants 6:45pm-7:45pm, Arts Education Grants

Monday, October 27, 2014 Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce, Gloversville 9:00am-10:00am, Project Grants 10:15am-11:15am, Arts Education Grants 11:30am-12:30pm, Individual Artist Grants

Grant Programs and Seminars

GOT LEADS?• Are Looking To Increase Your Visibility In Fulton & Montgomery Counties?• Are You Interested In Creative Marketing?• Would You Like FREE Warm Referrals?The Fulton Montgomery Regional

Chamber of Commerce is the answer for you.Contact Michele at 725-0641.

$

Chamber News8

The Chamber welcomed new member Amsterdam Tobacco & Beer Depot to Chamber membership with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the store’s Grand Opening on June 28. It was a beautiful day, and the grand open-ing was a big success with music, beer tastings, food, and goody bags for their customers that day. The store sells tobacco and related products, and is a full-service beer retailer with kegs, and other package goods. Am-sterdam Tobacco & Beer Depot is located in Miller’s Plaza, 4755 State Highway 30, Amsterdam, call (518) In picture Is the owner of Amsterdam Tobacco & Beer Depot, Nita Matta, with scissors with a gathering of his family and friends, the Chamber’s Membership Director Michele Marzullo and Community Member Cheryl Mar-zullo. n

Amsterdam Tobacco & Beer Depot Celebrates with

Ribbon Cutting

News from

theChamber’s Education Committee

For the 50 students in the new HFM PTECH school, even gym class will become an “Amazing Adventure,” as the school partners with the Fulton County YMCA for its physical education program. Through the partnership, students will be bused the short ride from the school on Jansen Avenue to the Y’s Harrison Street location three days a week for an hour each. Part of the curriculum will include team challenges, which Pathways in Technology Early College High School Principal and Chief Learning Officer Mike Dardaris said have been dubbed the “Amazing Adventure.” “We brainstormed about how PE classes could look different at PTECH, and we came up with this cross between ‘The Amazing Race’ and ‘Survivor’ TV shows,” he said. “Students will be asked to solve and complete physical challenges that use communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking.” Dardaris said the goal is for PE to tie together all those “soft skills,” as they are called.

PTECH Partners with YMCA for Physical Education Classes

“PE has evolved to be applicable long-term and more than just sports-based,” Dardaris said. “The skills you learn in physical education classes should be transferrable to other aspects of your life as well.” Dardaris said the partnership with the Y formed after his efforts to find a part-time regional PE teacher resulted in a dead end. “I thought maybe the Y would have someone who could come to the school, but they proposed having the students go there, where they would have the benefit of a fully equipped recreational facility,” Dardaris said. Fulton County YMCA PE Director Ken Whiteman said not only will the YMCA’s facility provide PTECH students with a wide variety of equip-ment and activities, the staff at the Y also can provide expert instruction. “We’re building the curriculum alongside the teachers,” Whiteman said. “We’re looking at doing some team-building group activities, as well as using the Y’s certified fitness instructor to teach Zumba, Tai Chi and even spin classes.” To keep things fresh, the Amazing Challenge units will be inter-spersed with other indoor and outdoor sports and fitness units. Students also will have choice days during which they can use the pool; volleyball, tennis and basketball courts; and all the exercise machines.Whiteman said other than working with a homeschool group, this type of partnership is a first for the Fulton County YMCA. “We thought this was a great opportunity for the Y to collaborate with the schools and show the students what’s available here,” he said. For more information contact Betsy DeMars Capital Region BOCES Broadalbin-Perth office (T, Th, F): 518.954.2642 or Gloversville office (M,W): 518.775.5702 or email mdardaris@hfmboces.org n

9Chamber News

307 N. Comrie Avenue, Johnstown762-7829 • Fax 736-3556 • www.RandQ.com

Your Complete Furnishing CenterVisit our Super Store. Great Prices & Services.

We have something for everyone!

GLOVERSVILLE97 North Main St., P.O. Box 1219

Gloversville, NY 12078Phone 518.725.7127 Fax 518.725.7835

SARATOGA SPRINGS60 Railroad Place Suite 302

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866Phone 518.587.5111 Fax 518.587.0029

Elmer J. Washburn, CPALarry J. Sheeler, CPARobert F. Thaisz, CPAJames A. Del Savio, CPANeil W. LaMere, CPAJohn P. Sawitzki, CPAMichael W. Rossi, CPAAmy M. Pedrick, CPATrisha L. Rogers-Byrns, CPA

Lian Zouhir, owner of Aladdin’s Restaurant, Route 30, Amsterdam, wins one of the giftbaskets from theEmployment Coalition.

Sponsored by the Employment Coalitionand Fox Run Golf Club

New Member Orientation prior to the Business

After Hours. New members

who joined between January

1 and July 1 of this year. All

in attendance introduced

themselves and related a

bit about their business and enjoyed each other’s com-

pany.

A great crowd turnedout at the Business

After Hours at Fox Run Thursday, July 17

BUSINESS HOURSAFTER

Member2Member Discount Update

By now, most of you should have received your Member-2Member Discount cards. Please know that we ran out of cards in the middle of our mailing, so if your anniversary date falls in April – July and you are a member in good standing, you will receive your cards within a couple of weeks. As a reminder, the full list of Chamber members at which you can use these cards is available online on our website,http://www.fultonmontgomeryny.org/pages/Member2MemberDiscounts1/.

NEW MEMBER2MEMBER DISCOUNTS: • AAA Computer Solutions, Inc. 9615 Mariaville Road, Pattersonville - (518) 328-8324 http://518328tech.com/ 10% off first service and free network and computer evaluation

• Bio-Tech Mechanical Plumbing and Heating Johnstown, (518) 221-6502 10% off all fixtures and faucets

Learn how to reduce pain, improve mood, balance emotions, clean the air in your home, prevent allergies, ease digestion, get a restful sleep, breathe better, boost energy, and much more at an informative and fun workshop on Young Living Essential Oils:

Tuesday, August 26, 7pm-9pmChamber Art Gallery, 2 N. Main Street, Gloversville

The event is free and open to all Chamber members, their employ-ees and to the public. No pre-registration is required, but if you RSVP you will receive and entry for a prize drawing. RSVP to Kat Simmons at kaseybat@gmail.com. Find out more about these great products at http://www.charlieandkatsimmons.vibrantscents.com n

Discover Natural Wellness with Young Living Essential Oils

member member2

D I S C O U N T P R O G R A M

Gloversville Office

Amsterdam Office

2 North Main St., Gloversville, NY 1166 Riverfront Center, Amsterdam, NY

(518) 725-0641 • www.fultonmontgomeryny.org

The Caroga Historical Museum, 145 London Bridge Road in Caroga Lake (www.carogamuseum.com) is comprised of a charming old farm house, an exhibit barn, a general store, a cobbler’s shop, an ice house, and it’s

most recent addition, Sherman’s Park Arcade. Friends and guests of the Museum celebrated the Grand Opening of the Sherman’s Park Arcade

in June with a wonderful Open House and Ribbon Cutting. Pictured are Museum Trustees and Friends, Chamber staff members, and friends of

the Museum along with descendants of Frank Sherman, Sr. and his son Frank Sherman, Jr., the founders of Sherman’s Park, who cut the ribbon.

The Caroga Historical MuseumKicks Off with a Ribbon Cutting

10 Chamber Member News

At the invitation of United States Congressman, Paul D. Tonko, internationally-recognized sculp-tor and architectural designer, Patrick Morelli, has opened a major fine arts museum and cultural edu-cation center at 100 Church Street in Amsterdam. The Morelli Art Museum features two master-pieces of American public art. The first is the ten-foot, bronze, father-and-infant “Behold” Monument, dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, and sited overlooking Dr. King’s tomb. A separate casting of the “Behold” infant is in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution’s American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. The second major American memorial, featured in the Morelli Art Museum, is the “Eagle Rock Sep-tember 11th Memorial” in West Orange, New Jer-sey overlooking the former site of the Twin Towers. The Eagle Rock Memorial is on a 160-foot granite “Wall of Remembrance” honoring 2800 victims of the September 11th attacks. It received the New Jersey Parks and Recreation’s “Excellence in De-sign Award”. Patrick Morelli is an exhibiting member of the National Arts Club. His work is in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian Institution’s Ameri-can Art Museum, the Tennessee State Museum, the Italian American Museum in Manhattan, and the Arab American Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

Morelli Art Museum & Design Studio Opens

in Amsterdam

The artist is currently, ac-cepting enrollment of schools,

universities, non-profit organizations, corporations, and civic organizations in his national “We Are One” art/education program to promote tolerance and human understanding. The program, created by the artist, was piloted in 16 public schools in New York City and was recognized by President Bill Clinton. Five “We Are One” classes are enrolled to date for the Fall 2014 program from Ful-ton Montgomery Community College, Amsterdam High School, and Bishop Gibbons High School in Schenectady. Visit the artist’s website www.MorelliART.com and click on “Table of Contents” to com-plete a very brief on-line form describing your request and include contact information or call the studio at (518) 782-4671. n

Eagle Rock September 11th Memorial overlooking the

former site of the Twin Towers

L to R: Chamber staff, Shelley DiBlasio, Andy Santillo and Matt Ossenfort of Montgomery County, Pat Morelli, Julia Caro of Sen. Tkaczyk’s office and Michele Mar-zullo, Chamber staff.

Grandma Millie’s Bakery and Café, located at the Fulton County Airport, 160 County Highway 153 in historic Johnstown, will be host to a BBQ dinner and concert featuring award winning, singer, songwriter, musicians, “Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros” on Tuesday August 12, 2014 at 5pm. Walt is joined by band mates-Bill Small and Jimmy Davis. Their folksy, blue grass, country tunes with a bit of rock...make for an evening of toe tapping fun and entertainment!! The BBQ dinner will include pulled pork and all the homemade deli-cious trimmings like baked beans, coleslaw and peach cobbler. Dinner at 5pm and concert at 7pm. Dinner only tickets are $12.00;

Concert only $15. Dinner/Concert is $27.00. Save with advance sale purchase of Dinner & Show for just $25.00. Tickets are available at Grandma Millie’s Bakery. Flea Market on the grounds around the Bakery at their scenic Airport location on August 24 from 8am to 4pm. Antique Vendors and Crafters Welcome!! Spaces are still available for $20 each. Grandma Millie’s will be Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Baked Goods that day!! Call Chauncey for more details on eithe of these events at 518-775-6348 or email grandmamilliesbakery@gmail.com. n

Grandma Millie’s Hosts BBQ Dinner,

Concert andFlea Market

11Chamber Member News

Fort Plain Animal HospitalRobert Chen, D.V.M. & Kimberly Weaver, D.V.M.

• Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture• Small animal medicine and surgery• Evening and weekend appointments available

13 River Street • Fort Plain, NY 13339518 993-3332 • www.fortplainvet.com

email: fpah@frontiernet.net

Limited-time offer. Must subscribe to a qualifying package of Frontier Business local service with features, long distance and new BusinessHigh-Speed Internet with speeds up to 7Mbps. Higher speeds available for an additional monthly fee. Actual speeds may vary. Service subjectto availability. Minimum one-year agreement, $9.99 broadband processing fee upon disconnection of service and early termination fee equalto the remaining balance of the agreement apply. Installation fee of $49.99 applies to one-year agreements, waived with 2- and 3-yearagreements. Taxes, governmental and Frontier- imposed surcharges, and other terms and conditions apply.Frontier reserves the right towithdraw this promotional offer at any time.withdraw this promotional offer at any time.

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MOVE YOUR BUSINESS FORWARD, FASTER.

Razor, a salon offering high quality hair care in Johnstown; has unveiled its new website razorsalon.org.

They currently have a staff consisting of nine professionals who are up-to date on the new-

est styles and trends. Their experience and talent keeps them a step ahead of most salons. Their claim to fame is “We Innovate They Imitate...A High End Salon Experience...At Affordable Prices For Men, Women And Children.” The salon offers appointments Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Satur-day 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Walk-ins are welcomed. Razor Salon is conveniently located in Johnstown at 88 Briggs Street in the Briggs Street Plaza just off Route 30A. You may contact Brad Petrie at (518) 705-4155. Visit them on Face-book at http://facebook.com/razorsalon11 n

Razor: A Cutting Edge Salon Unveils New Website

108 golfers enjoyed a perfect weather day for golf at the ninth an-nual Dolly Day golf tournament, benefiting the United Way of Mont-gomery County. The tournament held at the Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course in memory of the late Aristotle “Dolly” Lazarou, an avid golfer who held the course record for many years at Muni. Winners at the event: The foursome of Mike Miseno, Matt Nasad-owski, Chris Mathewson, Shawn Jablonski with a 57 in the gross com-petition; the Bouchey & Clarke Benefits, Inc. foursome of Matt Clarke, John Millet, Matt Ossenfort, Howard Samuels with a 55.1 in the net competition. Funds raised are used to assist youth, families and seniors in need in Montgomery County. Contact Fred Quist at fredquist@uwofmontco.org n

UW Hosts Dolly Day Tournament

Bob Sherlock, Rob Sherlock, Costa Lazarou,and daughterChristine Sherlock

Tom Ryan, Mike Bucciferro,

MichelleMarzullo,

FM Regional Chamber of

Commerce Staff, Lou Stellato, and Harry Robinson

John Havlick, Frank’s Gun & Tackle Shop (www.franksgunshops.com/, 3549 State Highway 30, Gloversville), met renowned whitetail deer hunter, Mike Hanback of “Big Deer TV” a few years ago while Mike and other television sportsman personalities were filming promos at John’s camp. Mike liked the area and thought it was a good location for a deer hunting show. The two kept in touch and after a few years the filming of an Adirondack whitetail deer hunt came to fruition. In 2013, Mike and John headed into the Adirondack woods for a week with a camera crew and a hunting crew. The cameramen fol-lowed Mike and a host of other hunters through the woods hunting, putting on drives, and depicting the different ways to hunt the whitetail in the Adirondacks. John and Frank’s Gun & Tackle Shop was featured in the “Buck Men of the Adirondacks” episode of Big Deer TV hosted by Mike Hanback on July 30 at 10pm on the Sportsman Channel (check local listings for channel availability for future airings).

Frank’s Gun and Tackle Shopon The Sportsman Channel

From Frank’s Gun Shop, John and Frank are at left and right and in center is Mike Hanback

12 Chamber Member News

56 N. Main Street, Gloversville Phone: (800) 965-6264

www.manginsurance.com

An affiliate of NBT Bank, N.A

SAVEOVER$15OO

Available at the Chamber Offices for

$40.69

2 North Main Street, Gloversville, New York 12078(518) 725-0641 • fax (518) 725-0643

1166 Riverfront Center, Amsterdam, New York 12010(518) 725-0641 • fax (518) 684-0111

St. Mary’s Healthcare has strengthened its position as a technology and minimally in-vasive surgery leader by becoming the first regional hospital — and the 12th in the nation — to take delivery of the new da Vinci Xi Surgical System. The four-armed surgical robot, which arrived at the hospital June 30, utilizes advanced computer and optical technologies to aid surgeons with their operations. It can be used for complex diseases and conditions in gynecology, urology, thoracic, cardiac, and general surgery. “It is highly unusual for a community hospital to make this kind of investment,” said St. Mary’s President and CEO Vic Giulianelli. “However, we are taking this step to ensure that Mohawk Valley residents no longer have to drive elsewhere to obtain world class care. “In purchasing this system on the heels of last year’s Renaissance™ spinal robotic surgical guidance system, St. Mary’s Healthcare is also furthering its reputation as a leader in minimally invasive surgery,” added Giulianelli. “With the Xi, our surgeons can reduce the size of incisions to 8.5mm, which decreases the amount of tissue damage during surgery,” noted Ronald Marsh, MD, chairman of the hospital’s board of trustees. “As a result, patients will experience less pain and recover more quickly.” The da Vinci Surgical Systems, which have been around for more than a decade, provide patients with a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery that reduces many of the costs and complications associated with open procedures. A technological leap from the previous three versions, the new model creates a more natural extension of the surgeon’s eyes and hands. Thinner robotic arms bend and rotate to mimic the movements of a surgeon’s wrist, which allow for smaller, more precise movements inside a patient’s body. The system also features 3D-HD video, giving surgeons superior visualization of the area he/she is operating on. For more information about the da Vinci Xi Surgical System, visit http://intuitivesur-gical.com/company/media/videos/systems/ For additional information about St. Mary’s Healthcare, visit www.smha.orgn.

St. Mary’s Healthcare to Receive Newest Minimally Invasive Surgery System

Dr. Ronald Marsh, FACS, a general surgeon at St. Mary’s Healthcare with Theresa DeCarlo, RN, direc-

tor of surgical services.

The four-armed surgical robot, which arrived at the hospital June 30, utilizes advanced com-puter and optical technologies to aid surgeons with their operations.

On September 6 author and former Union College History Professor Robert Wells will speak on “Alleviating ‘that undissembled sorrow:’ Ritual and the Two Funerals of Sir William Johnson”. The Lecture Series will conclude on September 27 with “The End of an Atlantic Life: The Death of Sir William Johnson in Imperial Context, 1774” presented by Cornell University Associate Professor of History and author Jon Parmenter. The August and September lectures will be held at the Johnstown High School Lecture Hall at 11am. Public tours of Johnson Hall available after 1pm. The “Death and Diplomacy” event, as well as the Anniversary Lecture Series, are co-sponsored by the Friends of Johnson Hall and supported by a grant from the New York Council for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these events do not necessarily represent those of the National Endow-ment for the Humanities. On September 20 & 21, Johnson Hall will host an encampment and re-creation of the 1781 Battle of Johnstown, considered the final battle of the American Revolution. September 20 will feature an open house, walking tours of the site’s grounds, musket and artillery demonstrations, and interpretive locations related to the battle throughout Johnstown. On September 21 there will be an open house at Johnson Hall as well as memo-rial services held 12:00 PM at the colonial cemetery and Sir William Johnson’s grave. At 1:30 PM the Battle of Johnstown will commence through the streets of Johnstown, culminating on the battlefield site on Johnson Ave. Regular guided tours of the historic

house and grounds tours will not be offered on Sunday. Sunday, October 12 will be the final open day for the 2014 season at Johnson Hall. For more information on Johnson Hall, contact (518) 762-8712 or visit www.nysparks.com. n

Johnson Hall Continues with Full Calendar

13

ByGina DaBiere-Gibbs,

Fulton CountyTourism Director

You can contact Gina DaBiere-Gibbs, Fulton County Tourism Director at 725-0641 fax 725-0643, email at tourism@fultonmontgomeryny.org and visit the tourism website at 44lakes.com

Tourism News

Event co-coordinator Lou Stutzke, Fulton County Director of Tourism, Gina DaBiere-Gibbs, Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation Presi-dent, Randy Gardinier, event co-coordinator, Beaver Ross

Peck’s Lake Sprint Triathlon The 5th Annual Peck’s Lake Sprint Triathlon on Saturday, August 2 hosted registered athletes from across New York, Vermont, Massa-chusetts, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, and Colorado. Race results are available on www.fultonmontgomeryny.org. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Mountain Valley Hospice. Thank you to our spon-sors: Gold Medal: Nathan Littauer Hospital; Silver Medal: Brown’s Ford of Johnstown; Bronze Medals: Alpin Haus, Wal-Mart DC #6096, and Benjamin Moore.

Tourism Interns Fulton County Tourism is fortunate to have two interns in the de-partment this summer, Emma Hoover and Taneesh Mannion. Both come with customer service experience and a willingness to learn new tasks to achieve their goals in life. Emma has been working on specials projects, events, and at the Visitor Center during her internship. A life-long resident of Johnstown, Emma is enrolled in Schenectady County Community College’s Hos-pitality and Tourism Management program. In 2010, she was given the opportunity to participate in Walt Disney World’s College Program internship at their Beach Club Resort. Her goal is to return to Florida and work for Give Kids the World Village’s front desk team. Taneesh’s internship is at the Visitor Center. An outgoing and caring young woman, Taneesh is employed at the Lexington Training Center on Perry Street in Johnstown and volunteers for a number of community organizations. Her current and past volunteer experience has included making coloring kits for children at local hospitals, bell ringing for the Salvation Army, delivering meals to seniors in the com-munity and volunteering at local schools. Taneesh lives in Johnstown with her husband William and is the mother of a twelve-year-old son who is energetic and athletic.

Walleye Challenge Gives Back To The Great Sacandaga Lake Representatives from the Sixth Annual Walleye Ice Fishing Tour-nament presented a $1,500 check, as well as $770 from a special raffle raised by Lou Stutzke, to the Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federa-tion for fish stocking this fall. The Walleye Challenge this year was held on held on January 25 on the Great Sacandaga Lake. Event Coordi-nators Lou Stutzke (Owner of Fuel-N-Food of Mayfield), Hank “Bea-ver” Ross and Fulton County Director of Tourism, Gina DaBiere-Gibbs, presented the donation to Randy Gardinier of the Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation at a recent ceremony at the Fulton County Visitors Center in Vail Mills. The tournament registered 1750 fishing enthusiasts, a 250-person increase from previous years, with approximately 54% of participants from outside of Fulton County from eleven states and various parts of New York State. The event has sold out in each of the six years it has been held. Besides cash prizes for the heaviest fish caught in each hour (between 7am and 3pm), there were several door prizes awarded throughout the day, and two recreational vehicles and a snowmobile were given away to three of the participants. The 2015 Walleye Ice Fishing Tournament is scheduled for Satur-day, January 31, 2015. Anyone interested in adding their name to the event’s mailing list is asked to call the Fulton County Tourism Depart-ment at (518) 725-0641 or to send a request via e-mail at events@fultonmontgomeryny.org.

Caroga Historical Museum The Caroga Historical Museum is open for the season and will remain open through August 31st on Thursdays through Sundays from 1 to 4pm each of these days. The featured August art exhibit is “A Photographer’s Journey” by Darla Oathout. On August 7, Ms. Oathout will be welcomed at an Artist Reception from 7 to 9pm. During the re-ception, there will be a 20-minute slide presentation set to music of the featured photography exhibit. The proceeds from the sales of all works during the exhibit will be donated to the Caroga Historical Museum. On August 9, the Museum is hosting a Brooks Barbeque from 4 to 7pm on the museum grounds. Guests are welcome to eat in or take out. Advance sale tickets for the barbecue are recommended and can be purchased at the museum for $10 per person. For more informa-tion, contact the museum at (518)835-4400. Walks-ins are welcome.

Taneesh Mannion Emma Hoover

g lf classicg lf classic

14

of our New MembersSnapshot

Change of Name Address Error

New Members

Cloud Nine Massage 355 County Highway 112

Gloversville, NY 12078(518) 770-6222

First National Bank of Scotia 201 Mohawk Avenue

Scotia, NY 12078(518) 370-7200

www.firstscotia.com

Morelli Art Museum and Design Studio 100 Church Street

Amsterdam, NY 12010(518) 782-4671

www.morelliart.com

Music Studio of Gene Marie Callahan 12 Village Lane West

Amsterdam, NY 12010(518) 416-5977

Formerly: J.S.K ADS Payroll Services Now: The Moneyman Business Solutions

126 Fourth AvenueTribes Hill, NY 12177

(347) 961-0947

Wednesday, August 20TH

Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course158 Upper Van Dyke Ave., Amsterdam

2014 Chamber SCholarShip

Call (518) 725-0641 or terrys@fultonmontgomeryny.org

Caroga Historical Museum 150 London Bridge Rd.Caroga Lake, NY 12032

(518) 835-4400www.carogamuseum.com

Welcome Wagon International 220 Lake Desolation RoadMiddle Grove, NY 12850

Less than 5 YearsAmico Funeral Home ....................................... 2014Route 30 Wine & Liquor Depot ........................ 2012Jim’s Bait Shop .................................................2011Miss Johnstown Diner ......................................2011Employment Resources .................................. 2010DreamCraft Tile and Trim ................................ 2010Helmont Mills Inc. ............................................ 2010

5 to 9 YearsFarnham, J.R. Claim Service, L.L.C. ............... 2009Reynolds Trucking ........................................... 2009National Jukebox Exchange, Inc. .................... 2008Cranesville Properties, L.L.C. .......................... 2008County Waste .................................................. 2008Kitchens Etc..................................................... 2008Schell’s Pharmacy ........................................... 2008Elizabeth Cady Stanton Hometown Association .. 2008A.A.A. Northway Travel Center........................ 2007Perrone Leather L.L.C. .................................... 2007EnergyNext, Inc. .............................................. 2006Sunshine Gardens ........................................... 2006Don Diehl and Associates................................ 2005Hear For You ................................................... 2005

10 to 19 YearsPostnet ............................................................ 2004Paychex ........................................................... 2004Kinowski Agency Inc. ....................................... 2004Soroptimist International of Fulton County ...... 2004Weller Home Care Products ............................ 2004C.B.I. Appraisal Services ................................. 2004A.G. Cole Funeral Home, Inc. ......................... 2003Gladsmere Bed and Breakfast ........................ 2003Super 8 Motel-Johnstown ................................ 2002Mickey Parker Jr.,State Farm Insurance ......... 2002

Lyn-Di’s Food Service, Inc. .............................. 2002Pops Lake Campground .................................. 2001Mangino Chevrolet .......................................... 2001J. R.’s Home Improvement .............................. 2001Stock, Ronald, W.; D.P.M. ............................... 2001Perfection Cleaning Service ............................ 2001Edith Pryce, M.D.............................................. 2000Countryside Fuels............................................ 1999Brown’s Ford-Mercury, Inc. .............................. 1999Amsterdam Pathology Associates ................... 1999Egelston Oil Company ..................................... 1999Becker’s Auto Salvage, Inc. ............................. 1998United Welding Supply Co., Inc. ...................... 1998New York Central Mutual Fire Insurance Co ... 1998Liberty Enterprises........................................... 1998Recorder; The .................................................. 1998Sarah Jane Sanford Adult Home ..................... 1998RicMar Design & Print Shop ............................ 1998

20 Years and OverAlpin Haus ....................................................... 1997Midnight Oil Company ..................................... 1996Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground . 1996Park Marine Base, Inc. .................................... 1995Epimed International, Inc. ................................ 1994Glove Cities Rotary Inc. ................................... 1993Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. ................. 1993Walmart-Gloversville ....................................... 1992Agway of Johnstown/Home Heating Headquarters ................................ 1992Rinaldo Esposito, D.C. .................................... 1992Seely Conover’s Office Centre ........................ 1992L.C.S. & Z, L.L.P. ............................................. 1991Greater Johnstown School District .................. 1991Blue Flame Gas Co., Inc. ................................ 1988Canada Lake Store and Marine....................... 1977

The following businesses realize the value of their Chamber investment and have renewed their membership in the month of July.

Please note these members and the year they joined! Thank you to all our renewing members.

AnniversariesMember

Congratulations!

15Chamber Member Anniversaries

Upcoming Chamber Events!

Member ofAmerican Chamber of Commerce Executives Association

Business Council of New York StateCenter For Economic Growth

Chamber Alliance of New York StateFarmer’s Direct Marketing Association

Montgomery County Farm BureauNew York Business Development Corporation

Tech Valley Chamber CoalitionUnited States Chamber of Commerce

2 North Main Street, Gloversville, New York 12078(518) 725-0641 • fax (518) 725-0643

E-mail: info@fultonmontgomeryny.orgWebsite: www.fultonmontgomeryny.org

1166 Riverfront Center, Amsterdam, New York 12010(518) 725-0641 • fax (518) 684-0111

E-mail: newsline@fultonmontgomeryny.orgWebsite: www.fultonmontgomeryny.org

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDJOHNSTOWN, NY 12095

PERMIT #13

Saturday, August 2 • 8:30amFifth Annual Peck’s Lake Sprint Triathlon

Peck’s Lake, Sunrise Bay (North Shore Road)Calling all athletes! Be part of this great event that features a ½ mile swim, 9-mile bike, and 3-mile run around beautiful Peck’s Lake!

Enter individually or as a 2- or 3-person team. There will be awards presented to individuals and teams in different age brackets. This is one of the premiere athletic events in the region! Partial proceeds benefit MOUNTAIN VALLEY HOSPICE. For registration form and map please visit http://www.fultonmontgomeryny.org/pages/PecksLakeSprintTriathlon/

Wednesday, August 20 • Registration 10:30am, Shotgun Start 12 noon Chamber’s Scholarship Golf Tournament

Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course, Van Dyke Ave., AmsterdamAmsterdam Muni looks great and they are thrilled that we are having our tournament there.

There is a form attached here on which you can register for the event, or find out about sponsorship!THANK YOU to the following businesses who have already committed their support to our tournament at which monies are raised for our

scholarship program which awards six $1,000 one-time scholarships to students in our region:

APPARELSPONSOR–NathanLittauerHospital&NursingHome DINNERSPONSOR–Bouchey&ClarkeBenefits,Inc. AWARDSRECEPTIONSPONSOR–St.Mary’sHealthcare LUNCHSPONSOR-NBTBank

COCKTAIL HOLE SPONSOR – Ricmar Design & Print TEE/HOLESPONSORS–FAGEUSADairyIndustry,Inc.,FlooringAuthority,Inc.,AlpinHaus,1stNationalBankofScotia

Chamber of Commerce Montgomery County Office Hours at 1166 Riverfront Center, AmsterdamMichele Marzullo Mondays 8am-3:30pmTerry Swierzowski Thursdays 8am - 5pm

Shelley DiBlasio Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday 8am-3pmFridays by appointment (518) 725-0641

Thursday, August 7 • 5-7pmBusiness After Hours at PSTI Guard Now

40-42 West Main Street, JohnstownDon’t miss this opportunity to network with other businesses and learn about the training and security of PSTI Guard Now

Please RSVP for planning purposes; membership@fultonmontgomeryny.org or (518) 725-0641. Unless indicated, events are FREE for Chamber members and their employees and $10 for future members.

Thursday, August 14 • 5-7pmSpeed Networking at Dome 49 Restaurant and Wine Bar

49 Hancock Street, Fort PlainHave the need for speed? Then SPEED NETWORKING is for you! Unlike Speed Dating,

where you’re looking for that love connection, Speed Networking is where you will establish and maximize professional connectionsin a brief period of time that are high quality and long lasting. The Format of the event is designed to accelerate the opportunity to

make business contacts. Participants will greet each other in a series of brief exchanges during a set period of time. During the interaction, you can share your professional backgrounds and business goals.

POSTPONED