ONTARIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INC.

ONTARIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INC.
P.O. Box 100 * Ontario, NY 14519-0100 * 315-524-5886
(Travel and Tourism Chamber Information located at L.W. Emporium, Booth 3030 2nd floor, 6355 Knickerbocker Rd., Ontario, NY)
Officers:
Paul Carr, President – 315-524-7195
Ray Cedruly, Vice President – 315-524-7042
Jim Switzer, Treasurer – 315-524-3310
Vicki Steele, Secretary – 315-524-7619
Board of Directors:
Donna Burolla
Michael Havens
Disa Pevear
NEWSLETTER – May, 2009
Business News
•
Mike’s Ice Cream – New Location - 6200 County Line Rd., Ontario, (next to Kwik Fill) is now
open for the season. Hours: 12 Noon – 10 p.m. – open everyday. Phone: 585-265-1710.
•
New Business Opening – L.U.C. (Lily’s Unique Closet) – 1781 Ridge Rd., Ontario – New
children’s clothing and used adult; includes gifts, footwear and outwear. The retail store is owned by Ms.
Cheryl Berardini and plans to be open around May 15th. Phone: 315-333-5050 – Hours: Tues,Wed, Thurs –
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Fri – 10 – 3 p.m.; Sun. & Mon. – Closed. Welcome to Ontario!
Mark Your Calendar…..
May 30th – 1:00 p.m. - Saturday – Memorial Day Parade – Ontario – begins at Ontario Elementary School
June 4 – Newark Farmers’ Market – Open for the season – 2:30 – 6 p.m.- at Firemen’s Field off Westshore
Blvd. on Barker Parkway. Contact Jessica Wells at 315-331-9129 for information about the market.
June 13th – Saturday – 12 to 4 p.m. – Village Fair at Heritage Square – 7147 Ontario Ctr. Rd. - OntarioWalworth Community Band; Quilting; antique cars, local artists, kids wagon rides; hot dogs, ice cream,
drinks (www.heritagesquaremuseum.org.). Parking donation - $4.00 per car.
Network Ontario – A business network group that meets the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays from 7:45 to 9 a.m. at
Konstantinou Restaurant – Rt. 104 & Furnace Rd. Contact Glen Cone if you would like to be a guest speaker
to promote your business or local cause – for FREE. Glen’s email: [email protected]. Check
out the website: www.networkontario.org. Next Meetings: May 20th , June 3rd and June 17th
Ontario Library at www.ontario.pls-net.org for monthly events or phone: 315-524-8381
Legislative Changes to the Empire Zones Program
Article 18-B of the General Municipal Law was amended to require Empire State Development to review all
certified Empire Zone business enterprises and apply new criteria for continued certification of businesses
wishing to retain Empire Zone benefits. Empire State Development will issue an EZ retention certificate to
businesses meeting the criteria for continued certification. Receipt of the retention certificate does not imply that
a business is automatically eligible for all Empire Zone benefits; the Empire Zone business must still meet the
eligibility requirements of the credits to continue to receive new credits. For information regarding certification,
the review process, and EZ retention certificates, contact Empire State Development. Contact information can be
found at www.empire.state.ny.us. Businesses must obtain the EZ retention certificate to receive any Empire
Zone benefits for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2008.
PSC Oks Sale of Power Plants
The state Public Service Commission approved the $4.5 billion sale of three upstate nuclear power plants –
including the Robert E. Ginna plant in Ontario, Wayne County – to a partnership co-owned by Electricite de
France SA, the world’s largest owner of nuclear power facilities. EDF is acquiring a 49.99 percent interest in the
nuclear operations of Constellation Energy Group, the Maryland-based company that owns Ginna as well as the
Nine Mile Point I and II plants near Oswego. The PSC said it found no potential harm for New York ratepayers.
The deal is expected to bolster the financial stability of the ownership of the plants, the PSC said, noting that
EDF’s bond ratings are very strong. Constellation will retain 50.01 percent interest in the operations. (Democrat
& Chronicle – 4/22/09)
Ontario Food Pantry
If you would like to donate items for the Ontario Food Pantry you can drop off your canned food products at the
Ontario Town Hall, 1850 Ridge Rd., Ontario, in a box located in the foyer; Nothnagle (Ontario Office) 1450 Rt.
104; Lyons National Bank-Tops Plaza; Sue’s Hair Trends, 2015 Ridge Rd.; American Legion Post 428 on
Knickerbocker Rd Example of items needed: Nonperishable canned foods items (beans; pasta; tuna fish; peanut
butter; macaroni and cheese, canned soups); personal hygiene products and laundry products. For a large donation,
pickup can be arranged. Please call Tim King at 315-524-7938.
Congratulations Corner Goes To…..
…..the Ontario Historical Society, 7147 Ontario Center Rd., for receiving the
following grants:
Hoffman Foundation & Ontario Community Chest - $1,800. The funds will be used to
purchase 3 benches to be placed outside the Train Station.
Constellation Energy - $10,000. The funds will be used for needed renovations to the
Ore Miner’s home and the Baptist Meeting House.
At the April15 meeting of the Board of Directors’ of the Town of Ontario Historical and Landmark Preservation
Society, the Board welcomed Dave Joslin, representative from Constellation Energy. Dave presented a donation
check for $10,000 to the Society from Constellation Energy. He stated that, “Constellation Energy’s focus areas in
grant giving include the environment and education. The Landmark Society is a wonderful educational opportunity
for visitors of all ages and educational levels and it’s a rich part of a community that we’re so thrilled to be a part
of.”
The Historical Society is a non-profit, private organization that owns and operates Heritage Square Museum
located on Ontario Center Road, one mile south of Ginna Nuclear Power Plant (owned by Constellation Energy).
The donation from Constellation comes at a very opportune time. Recent estimates for repairs of masonry,
carpentry and painting of two of the 1800’s historic buildings (the Ore Miner’s House and the Baptist Meeting
House) come to just over the $10,000 that was donated. With this donation, work can begin this spring on the
much needed repairs to keep the Society’s goal of historic preservation met.
The Board of Directors of the Historical
Society accepted the donation from
Constellation Energy’s representative,
Dave Joslin.
Sitting L-R: Liz Albright, Jean Tsepas,
Vera Graves Judy Powley
Standing L-R: JoAnn Meaker, Dave Joslin,
Carol Boughton, Bill Slocum, Shirley
Lockwood-Kushall, Beth Howard, Jim
Graves and Herm Auch.
Museum Hours: June 6th to October 4th, Sat &
Sun. 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed July 4th and
Labor Day weekend. For more information or
to schedule a private group or family tour by
appointment contact Vera Graves, 315-5244731 or Shirley Lockwood-Kushall, 315-3335228 or visit our
website: www.heritagesquaremuseum.org
News from Governor David A. Paterson
Gov. Issues Executive Order to Help Reduce Property Taxes in New York. “It’s time to put the
brakes on spiraling cost of property taxes by taking a close look at unfunded mandates that are handed down from the
State to local governments, and in turn drive up the cost of property taxes for New Yorkers across the State,” said
Governor Paterson. “This Executive Order will provide us with more detailed fiscal information about the effects of
proposed legislations and regulations. By having more detailed information earlier in the process, we will be able to
better evaluate possible costs associated with regulations and our own program and departmental bills to ensure that
we are making responsible and cost effective decisions for the residents of our State.”
New Yorkers are burdened with the highest local taxes in the nation – 78 percent above the national average, with
property tax levies rising at more than twice the rate of inflation and salary growth. Outside of New York City,
property taxes account for 76 percent of the local tax burden, and eight of the top ten counties with the highest
effective property tax rates in the nation are in Upstate New York – Niagara, Monroe, Chautauqua, Wayne, Oswego,
Onondaga, Erie and Steuben Counties. At the same time, Westchester, Nassau and Rockland Counties are in the
nation’s top ten in terms of household taxes. More information: www.ny.gov/governor/press
SCORE Business Workshop – June 16th @ 6:30 p.m. – Ontario Town
Hall
A SCORE workshop will be sponsored by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce on June 16th at the Ontario
Town Hall, 1850 Ridge Rd., Ontario, NY beginning at 6:30 p.m. SCORE members are volunteers and
include retired and active local business owners or managers. These individuals have diverse business
backgrounds and contribute their time and energy to solve your business problems or help you get started.
All SCORE counseling services are completely confidential and free. They serve at your pleasure and
meet with you at your convenience. No fee, no hassle, no contract, just experience and knowledge!
Please plan to join us on June 16th at 6:30 p.m. If you’re thinking of starting a business or need
assistance in operating an existing business in these tough economic times, this is the opportunity to
obtain free help. No pre-registration is required. The workshop is open to the public.
SCORE Office Expansion in Wayne County ……
SCORE Chapter 23 headquartered in Rochester, NY is expanding to areas that have been underserved.
In addition, it is strengthening the Chapter’s ability to serve the large rural and agricultural areas for which
it has responsibility. To this end a new counseling office in Macedon, New York is opening at the Wayne
County Business Builders Counseling Center at 1620 Wayneport Road, Macedon, NY. The official
opening and ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for May 7, 2009 at 2 p.m. Counselors that live in
Wayne County will be able to provide services at the Center that will enhance the local knowledge needed
to make counseling there more effective.
NYSERDA Announcement….Energy Smart Focus Program – Focus
on Industrial and Process RFP 1263 - $6,000,000 Available- Due June 3rd
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Energy Smart Focus Program goal is to achieve
greater energy efficiency awareness and program participation through a sector-based approach to program delivery.
The proposer(s) selected through RFT 1263 will help NYSERDA develop statewide strategies to address customers
in the Industrial and Process sector and improvements in process energy efficiency. This sector includes industrial
facilities and data centers. Strategies to consider include, but are not limited to: targeted outreach; one-on-one
interaction; performance-based recruitment incentives; training; leveraging partnerships with trade associations;
integration with local, state, regional, and national efforts; recognition of sector leaders; and guidance for and
assistance to customers using NYSERDA programs and services. For more information contact: Roseanne Viscusi,
RFP 1263, email: [email protected] or mail to: NYS Energy Research and Development Authority, 17 Columbia
Circle, Albany, NY 122203-6399. Proposal Deadline: Wednesday, June 3, 2009 – 5 p.m. Eastern Time
If you would like your business
highlighted in the Business Focus
column, please contact the Chamber
Office at (315) 524-5886 or email:
[email protected].
Wel
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Business Focus
Name of Business: MaryKay Consultant
Owner: Disa Pevear
Contact Info:
Email:
Business Address:
Business Phone:
Welcome Back to our Renewing Members –
Thank you for being so prompt with your dues!
Ronald Ficarro, The Tank Bank, Sale – new/used auto parts, P.O. Box 20, 141 Rt. 104, Union Hill, NY
14563, Phone: 585-265-0820
Richard Leszyk, Attorney at Law, 322 Ridge Road, Ontario, Phone: 585-748-7416
Suzanne Lasher, Hospice Care, 6054 Calm Lake, Farmington, NY 14425 Phone: 585-398-2511
Scott & Dawn Briner, Briner Manufacturing Corp., machine shop, 7553 Fisher Rd., Ontario, Phone: 315-5244459
Your Chamber At Work….Chamber Seeking Nominations for Annual Awards
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce will be seeking nominations for Citizen of the Year, Business Improvement
and Beautification of the Year, and Organization of the Year. Please keep your nominations in mind. The award
presentations will be made at our annual dinner meeting which will be held sometime in the fall. Applications will
soon be available on our website at www.ontariotown.org, under the Chamber of Commerce page.
2009 LOC Derby –
Spring Derby
Summer Derby
Fall Derby
May 1 – May 10
June 20 – July 19
Aug. 21 – Sept. 7
2009 GrandSlam & Merchants
Challenge Youth Derby May 2 – Aug. 19
Call 800-527-6510 for a FREE Fishing Packet
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Summary (taken from Town Topics March/April 2009)
On Feb. 17, 2009 President Barack Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA),
which represents a significant infusion of spending and tax cuts designed to create jobs and stimulate the economy.
The act totals $787.2 billion, with roughly $575 billion in spending and $212 billion in tax cuts. Much of the funding
will be distributed to the states through existing federal programs and in accordance with established federal
formulas. The act contains some new federal programs and provides for certain funds to be distributed by
competitive grants. Many of the programs included in the act benefit local governments. Below is a summary of the
major programs receiving funding under ARRA (although it is not exhaustive):
State Fiscal Stabilization Fund: $53.6 billion. This is a new fund that helps states restore state aid to school
districts under the primary state K-12 education funding formula and to institutions of higher education that primarily
consists of funding for education. Five billion dollars of this program is reserved for state incentive grants for states
that meet certain performance measures established by the U.S. Dept. of Education. Based on the federally
established formula, New York’s share of this funding is approximately $3 billion.
Other Education Funding: The ARA also includes additional Title I funding for high needs students ($13 billion
nationally, $940 million NY); funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Act ($12.2 billion nationally, $760 million
NY); and increases the maximum Pell grant award by $500 ($15.64 billion nationally, $180 million NY)
FHWA – Highway Infrastructure: $27.5 billion. Of this funding, $840 million is set aside for specific projects
such as Indian reservation roads, national park roads and ferry boats. The remaining $26.66 billion will be
distributed to the states in accordance with federally established formulas. New York State is expected to receive
$1.12 billion from this program. The funding may be used for construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation,
resurfacing, restoration, and operational improvements to highways and bridges; transit capital expenses,; bicycle
paths and pedestrian walkways; and transportation projects that are currently eligible for funding under existing
Federal-aid highway programs. For More information: www.economicrecovery.ny.gov.
(American Recovery and Reinvestment Summary to be continued in June Newsletter)