Chamber Chat

February 12, 2004

Help Is On The Way!

Recently the Greater Cazenovia Chamber of Commerce (GCACC) announced that it is partnering with the Onondaga Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to provide counseling and assistance to businesses in the greater Cazenovia area.

The SBDC is a comprehensive program that provides management and technical assistance to existing and start-up businesses in a five county area of Central New York. The SBDC is funded partially by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the New York State Economic Development Corporation. Its goal is to assist entrepreneurs, businesses and industry in the solution of problems leading to increased profitability for the business, and increased investment and job creation for the community. By assisting existing and new small businesses, the SBDC contributes to the stability and growth of the small business sector of the economy in New York State.

The SBDC provides consulting and direct individual counseling services to businesses free of charge in the areas of start-up assistance, business plan development, research assistance, finance sources, accounting/finance, organization, marketing, and other allied areas. Some of the more formal training environment session provided has a nominal charge.

The GCACC is delighted to be working with the SBDC to assist area businesses in need of that extra boost to get themselves to the next level. New York State certified business advisors, whose knowledge and expertise provide expert counseling and training, staffs it. Fully 55 % of the over 350 member businesses are small businesses that fall into the category the SBDC is intended to assist. Since 1986 the SBDC has provided assistance to over 14,000 clients, and assisted those clients to invest more than $93 million in public and private funds, as well as created or saved over 6,000 jobs.

Mike Rosanio, an SBDC advisor will be in Cazenovia at the Chamber’s Business Center in the Atwell Mill annex, 132 Albany Street, twice monthly on Wednesdays to meet with businesses desiring assistance. Appointment would be appreciated and can be arranged by contacting Mike at 498-6070

The Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring this service as one of its many member services, although these sessions are open to any business in the area wishing to avail themselves of the opportunity. In future Chamber Chat columns we will discuss more of the services offered by the Chamber to members and encourage area businesses that are not Chamber members to call the Chamber office for further information at: 655-9243.