The Tioga County Chamber of Commerce, located at 80 North Ave. in Owego, N.Y. is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. With its beginnings as the Owego Businessmen’s Association in 1919, the group then became the Owego Chamber of Commerce in 1972, and later took on the name Tioga County Chamber of Commerce.
Today, the Chamber consists of President and CEO Gwen Kania, who came on board in 2008, along with Adrianne Goodrich, director of Operations, who joined the Chamber last year, as well as officers and directors nominated from the nearly 300 member businesses.
The Tioga Chamber connects all cross sections of the business community, comprised of individuals, professionals and various sized businesses that work together to support and promote the commercial and civic well being of Tioga County.
From business-to-business networking opportunities and business counseling and referrals, to seminars, workshops, and other special events, and then coordinating On-The-Job Training funds through a grant with the N.Y.S. Department of Labor, among countless other efforts, the Chamber’s reach and success has evolved throughout its long history.
A not-for-profit, the Tioga Chamber provides numerous opportunities to help businesses grow and prosper.
One such business, Scott Smith and Son, located at 8 Delphine St. in Owego, N.Y., has its own centennial coming up in 2023. Today, Scott Smith and Son is a fourth-generation heating, ventilating and air conditioning service energy company.
“The Chamber is an advocate for business and the community,” shared Brian Scanlon, operations manager at Scott, Smith and Son.
Scanlon explained that the regular notifications and business services that the Tioga Chamber offers is of considerable value to Scott Smith and Son. In addition, Scanlon said that attending business-themed workshops, such as a human resources session presented by Hinman, Howard and Kattel are extremely beneficial, as has been use of on-the-job training funds, the latter of which is also available to non-members.
Scanlon added that events such as the annual golf tournament are fun, yet a unique and productive way to network with other Chamber members, and, in addition, the Chamber’s “Spotlight on Business” efforts has energized local business in the county.
Sheri McCall, Tioga Employment Center manager, remarked, “The Tioga Employment Center is a working partner with the Tioga Chamber,” and further explained that local business groups united to form the Tioga County Business Services Team.
McCall stated, “That working relationship solidified over the last five years, and together we host the Tioga County Job Fair and the OFA Career Fair, along with Tailgate Tioga.”
McCall gave a nod to Kania for helping to bring businesses and other county and government groups together, and the result of which, “Benefits not only businesses, but the residents of Tioga County as well.”
Arthur Poulton of the Tri-Town Agency located at 192 Front St. in Owego, shared, “As an active member of the Tioga Chamber and a former board member, the Chamber has seen growth over the years, which in turn has helped us at Tri-Town Insurance Agency.”
Tri-Town is celebrating its 94th year as a 100 percent locally and privately owned and operated insurance agency that has grown from a single location to four locations throughout the southern tier today.
Poulton continued, “The Chamber assists businesses in moving forward and acknowledges new businesses by holding ribbon cuttings,” adding, “The Chamber also communicates new regulations, such as the New York State requirement to complete updated Sexual Harassment education by October 2019.”
Poulton also explained that Tri-Town has relied on the Chamber as a resource for various topics from employment fairs to job training seminars, and then other networking functions that bring Chamber members together.
A special Centennial Gala Celebration will be hosted by the Chamber on Saturday, Feb. 16 at Tioga Downs Casino Resort. As part of the celebration, the Chamber will honor their centennial timeline.
As a chamber member, Wendy Post, editor of The Owego Pennysaver Press, will be providing photography services for this celebration and event.
Find out more about the Tioga Chamber by calling (607) 687-2020. You can also find them on Facebook or at www.tiogachamber.com.
why Is it when there is a fire in owego the owego Fire Dept won’t call the dept next to them they call Candor and Tioga center for help I question the leadership in the OFD