The summer has officially arrived in Western New York, and I hope our entire membership is taking advantage of all our community has to offer. The Chamber is coming off a red-hot, Small Business Awards Luncheon & Showcase that set another attendance record for the event. Our new location at the Buffalo Marriott Niagara proved to be an overwhelming success for our Showcase participants, with the additional space and increased participation. Our award winners were both humbled and ecstatic in their speeches. For those of you who missed the event, here is another look at our award winners below.

Also, we are excited to have the Emerging Business Leaders Summer ProMix this month! This energetic and fun after hours networking gathering for the young professionals in our community is at a fan-favorite Hartman's Distilling. This event is open to the community and sure to be a hit with lots of giveaways!

With every single chamber event that we host, from ProNet to Lunch Mob, to our large-scale events such as the Small Business Awards Luncheon & Showcase, we strive to create connectivity among our membership. This past Small Business Awards Luncheon did just that, we have heard from countless showcase participants of the leads they have generated from being in the room, we have heard from attendees of the connections they made as they worked their way around the room, and we have even seen a podcast between two of the winners take place. At the start of every new member orientation, we are focused on bringing people together, building your business, and being an extension of your brand.

We're keeping our membership engaged over the next two summer months, and this coming Thursday is our next Lunch Mob downtown at Fat Bob's Smokehouse, located in downtown Buffalo. With their fantastic patio and great summertime food, it is the perfect way to enjoy a Thursday afternoon lunch during the summer. We hope you register by clicking here.

Our next Lunch & Learn is Friday, July 18, centered around demystifying the misconceptions around virtual assistance. Lunch is provided at no cost to our membership, and these Lunch & Learn events are to educate our members on a variety of topics throughout the year. Sophie Bautista-Sales from WE R Solutions will be on hand to provide the benefits of utilizing such a service. For more information, please click here.

Rounding out the month, on Thursday, July 24, I encourage all new members, and even longtime members, to attend our New Member Orientation. We will focus on all the Chamber has to offer its members by way of programming, advocacy, connectivity, and READ MORE...

Thank you to everyone who attended the

2025 Small Business Awards Luncheon!

Missed it? Take a look at the photos

A special thank you to Ashley Bringenberg Photography :)

Thank you

to the

Buffalo Marriott

for there remodeled facility, their amazing hospitality and wonderful service at our recent Small Business Awards Luncheon & Showcase.

Book your meeting soon and receive a Complimentary Room!

Have an upcoming meeting, event or tabling opportunity?

Digital Table Advertising supplied us with these beautiful digital table signage "centerpieces" for the Awards Luncheon.

Easily customizable and a seamless experience created an elevated appearance at the lunch tables.

Call Steve or Jay at (716) 339.4457

or visit digitaltableadvertising.com

Listen to Lauren Lewis from StaffBuffalo and Danielle Bickel Strokes Painting discuss "When the Paint Dries: Hard Truths of Growing a Trades Business" and their 2025 Small Business Award from the Amherst Chamber of Commerce.

See here for podcast links on your favorite platform.

Want your podcast highlighted in a future newsletter?

Email: marketing@amherst.org

Save the Date

The Event - Celebrating Business Excellence

Monday, October 20, 2025

Thank you to our Sponsors!

BankonBuffalo

OneBridge Benefits

NOCO

Batavia Downs

Spectrum Reach

EBL Leadership Program Applications

Now Open for 2026

Youth Working Papers to go Digital in the Future:

Youth working papers will soon be digitized as part of a NYS Fiscal Year 2026 Budget initiative to streamline government processes and reduce burdens for employers.

Traditionally, New Yorkers aged 14-17 must acquire an employment certificate, also called working papers, in order to hold a job in New York State. Employers are responsible for keeping these documents on file which may open them up to potential fines if any working papers go missing. As part of New York State’s landmark budget agreement, NYSDOL will create and maintain a database for the employment of minors under the age of 18. Employment certificates and permits for minors will be fully digitized and stored in this database. This change represents an exciting opportunity for NYSDOL to create a one-stop portal for youth, caregivers, employers, and school administrators.

Digital working papers are slated to go into effect in 2027.

For more details on working papers, please visit our webpage or our Youth Worker Hub .

ICYMI: Free Community College for Adult Learners in 2025

UI Trust Fund Paid Off: Maximum UI Benefits to Increase in October

In a move that will bring relief to New York’s workers and businesses, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York State has officially paid off the nearly $7 billion federal Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund loan. By paying off the debt, the State is putting money back into the pockets of business owners, whose contribution rates had continued to climb while the debt was paid down. By paying off this debt, unemployed New Yorkers will see an increase to maximum weekly benefits — from $504 to $869 — in October 2025. This will put New York State on par with other regional pay rates and ensure that UI benefits can keep up with inflation.

To learn more, please visit the New York State Department of Labor UI Trust Fund FAQ page.

People Inc. Unveils New Mission, Vision, and Values

The new language updates and advances our mission and vision statements and core values to reflect the expansion and changes in our services over the years and growth in all areas of our work. It brings clarity and intentionality to the organization's focus, while honoring our longstanding commitment to the people we serve.

Buffalo Small Business Grant Program

The City of Buffalo in partnership with the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency is preparing to launch a new Small Business Grant Program. This initiative will be designed to strengthen commercial activity along key corridors, support business retention and expansion, and foster inclusive economic growth across the city.

Lunch Mob at Fat Bob's Smokehouse July 17th at 12pm

Lunch & Learn Virtual Assistants Demystified July 18th at 12pm

EBL Summer ProMix July 23rd at 5:30pm

New Member Orientation & Open House July 24th at 8am

ProLIFT LIFT Your Financial Literacy August 7th at 8:30am

Lunch & Learn Unlock LinkedIn Part 1 August 7th at 11am

Lunch Mob at Share Kitchen & Bar Room August 12th at 12pm

Lunch & Learn Maximizing Business Finance August 15th at 12pm

Business After Hours at Canal Bank August 19th at 5pm

Lunch & Learn Unlock LinkedIn Part 2 August 21st at 11am

Open ProNet with Tech Savvy August 28th at 8:30am

TechConnect: Helping NonProfits Put AI to Work July 15th at 1pm

WBA: Music on Main Thursdays at 6pm

Buffalo State SBDC: KidBiz Market July 19 at 8am

WeRSolutions: Client Appreciation/Networking Night July 22 at 5:30pm

Patrick's Rooftop: Sip & Support for Shine Gold for Kids July 23 at 4:30pm

Horizon: Stronger Together July 30th at 8am

Amherst Symphony Orchestra: Summer Concert August 5th at 6:30pm

Buffalo State: Marketing Solutions & Contract Readiness Certificate Program August 6th at 4:15pm

Asian Food & Culture Festival August 10th at 11am

Visit Amherst.org/events for more info

Buffalo Business First Power 200

Ellicott Development Submits Plan to Build Amherst Youth Center

A Look Inside Forest Lawn

BBB of Upstate NY Celebrates 100 Years

SWBR Names Erika Abbondanzieri Branch Manager of First Buffalo Office

Britesmith Brewing Opens Niagara Street Location

Trocaire College Hires Melissa Brinson

National Grid Bringing 'Smart Meters' to WNY

Ace Flag behind the giant Josh Allen Flag

Noco's new chief administrative officer

Does a new career await you or someone you know?

Dev. & Eng. Manager (Full Time) at Assembly House 150
Marketing Coordinator (Part Time) at Assembly House 150
Install Plumber (Full Time) at Frank's Mr Plumber
Accounting Manager (Full Time) at Goodwill of WNY
Carpenter (Full Time) at MTL Contracting Co.
Cook (Full Time) at Amherst Center for Senior Services

See more at our Job Openings resource

Hiring? Members can post jobs in the Member Information Center

Everyone has something to offer as a Goodwill volunteer. The people who donate their time are as diverse as Goodwill's programs and services. Individuals may lend their expertise to help others build skills and re-enter the workforce by leading a soft skills class or helping with mock interviews. A school, company or neighborhood may organize a donation drive. Students needing to complete community service hours are always welcome to volunteer at their retail stores.

We have a new Volunteer Opportunities page on the Chamber website! Learn about our nonprofit members and how you can give back by visiting the web page here.

Independent Health is Bringing

Healthy to You This Summer

Independent Health is excited to work with partners throughout Western New York to help our community get healthy, stay active and have fun in the sun. The following activities, programs and events are just some of the ways we're working to improve the health and well-being of our community:

Reddy Bikeshare – Now in its 10^th season, this popular program is offering approximately 500 GPS-enabled Reddy standard bikes and Reddy+ e-bikes for short-term, shared use at 115 stations throughout the cities of Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Tonawanda. It’s a great way to commute to work, visit your favorite park or just take a leisurely ride on a nice day.
Fitness in the Parks – Independent Health and the YMCA have teamed up once again to bring back this summer-time program. With nearly 500 classes offered at parks across Western New York, there’s something for everyone – Zumba®, Pilates, yoga, circuit training, barre, and more. All classes are led by certified YMCA instructors and registration is never required.
Food Truck Tuesdays – This weekly community event, which features dozens of food trucks, takes place every Tuesday, from 5 to 8 p.m., through August 26. Look for Healthy Options® from the Independent Health Foundation on the menu at every food truck. Also, join us on July 29 and August 26 for “Independent Health Night” with free giveaways (while supplies last).
Outer Harbor Buffalo – Free outdoor fitness classes are back at Outer Harbor. Classes take place all summer long at 325 Fuhrmann Boulevard, just south of Wilkeson Pointe. You can also enjoy scenic views along the lake while exploring the 3-mile Independent Health Wellness Trail, stretching from Wilkeson Pointe to Lakeside Bike Park.
Buffalo RiverWorks – Independent Health is proud to be the official health and wellness partner of Buffalo RiverWorks. By simply showing their ID card, our members can receive exclusive discounts on a variety of watersports and adventure activities offered at RiverWorks, including kayaking, paddle boarding, ziplining, and silo climbing.
Tifft Nature Preserve Wellness Walks – Get your steps in this summer with Wellness Walks. Join us every Thursday morning at Tifft for a free guided walk through the preserve while taking in the sights and sounds of nature. Please call (716) 825-6397 to confirm the walks will be taking place each week.

To check out all the fun ways Independent Health is helping Western New Yorkers stay healthy through our community partnerships, visit our website.

ICYMI: Free Community College for Adult Learners in 2025

UI Trust Fund Paid Off: Maximum UI Benefits to Increase in October

Independent Health is Bringing

﻿Healthy to You This Summer

Healthy to You This Summer