The Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce believes that business collaborations will result in a stronger business presence in downtown Jamestown. Carrie Swanson was hired as the Jamestown community chamber coordinator in November of last year. After less than a year with the Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce, she is still focused on supporting local businesses and promoting a thriving business environment in the Jamestown community.
“It’s been great,” she said. “I enjoy getting out and talking with the businesses, talking with the community and trying to help and make it better and make sure people come downtown and see all the great things that there are to offer.”
Swanson stated that the Jamestown community has a wide range of restaurants and retail establishments. She also mentioned that Jamestown has a “great group” of business owners who have given her valuable feedback. She is open to suggestions as the city’s new chamber coordinator and has been grateful for the interactions she has had with the business community.
“It’s a great community and they all work together excellently,” she said. “They love to support each other, so it’s nice to see that, and it makes my job a little easier.”
Swanson encourages businesses in the area through collaboration efforts, specifically through various events and activities that raise awareness for local businesses. Her coordinating efforts include “encouraging business-to-business interactions,” as she put it.
The Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce is also nearing completion on the exterior of the downtown visitors’ information center, which is currently open at 300 North Main St. The information center gives visitors all the information they need about local businesses and encourages residents to patronize local shops and restaurants.
“We have a lot of information here about local businesses and local things to do,” Swanson said.
Swanson said she encourages visitors to Jamestown’s lesser-known attractions, shops, and restaurants, as well as the more well-known ones.
The chamber’s Jamestown branch also offers a list of resources and programs that businesses can use to succeed. Swanson stated that the chamber has information on available resources from the Small Business Development Center, CCIDA, and other organizations.
“We try to guide them in the right direction and help them to get the right resources,” she said.
Swanson also stated that she tries to keep the community informed of chamber and business events on a monthly and weekly basis. Each month, she distributes an event calendar to all local businesses in order to encourage them, inform business owners about upcoming activities, and assist businesses in making sound business decisions. Every Friday, the chamber posts a weekly calendar of local events on Facebook.
Swanson tries to engage with local businesses on a regular basis in addition to coordinating events with them.
“I also try to touch base with as many of the downtown businesses as possible, visiting with them, checking in and seeing how everything is going,” she said.
While Swanson claims she has had no issues with businesses working together or with the Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce, she acknowledges that inflation has had an impact on local businesses.
Customers’ shopping habits have shifted noticeably in recent months as a result of inflation, according to information she has received from local businesses. Customers frequently purchase multiple items in the $20 to $30 price range rather than items over $100.
“I think that impacts everybody,” Swanson said.
Despite the pressures of inflation on the business community, Swanson said the chamber’s focus has not been primarily on inflation; however, she believes it is something the chamber should address in the coming months.
Swanson hopes to see a thriving community and additional businesses in the downtown region as the Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce continues to support the business community in Jamestown.
“I’d love to see some more businesses downtown,” she said. “The biggest way is to make sure we’re encouraging folks to visit our downtown businesses and shop local.”
Source : post-journal
