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I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, and the start of the year is a great one for you. While the weather can sometimes put a negative feeling in the air, the reality is there is no better time to celebrate the start of fresh beginnings than when we reset the clock for the year. Take advantage of the time to implement the goals you have set for yourself and your business while recognizing your accomplishments in the past year. We can't stress enough the need to stay positive and focus on the things you can control as you work towards building a better business and a better you.
The Chamber is always here to help you and your business, and this year is no exception. We want to ensure you are taking full advantage of your membership, which means you'll be hearing more from us. Our membership team will be reaching out to you to ensure the accuracy of your membership profiles and representatives. We want to engage you and your business to the fullest, providing you with the tools and resources you need to grow. We have a full calendar of Lunch & Learn events, with Greg Hennessey from Marketing Tech facilitating our first discussion on finding the right marketing tools for you. Our Lunch & Learns are limited to thirty participants and will take place in our recently renovated conference room. There is no cost to attend, and the Chamber will provide lunch. I strongly encourage you to send a representative from your company who you feel will benefit the most from the topic.
Lunch & Learn 1/10/2025
Lunch Mob 1/16/2025
We have plenty of networking opportunities in January, and we hope you take advantage of them. Our first lunch mob of the year will take place at the Creekview restaurant in Williamsville. Creekview, which has been a longtime Chamber member and is owned by our good friend David Schutte, is an excellent way for us to start the year, and I hope you will join us on Thursday, January 16, at noon. On Tuesday, January 21, our first Business After Hours will take place at our offices for a neighborhood "Block Party" from 4-7pm. We will have Wegmans Catering showcasing some of their options and a special hot cocoa bar This will be a great way to see our new offices and meet many of the businesses located on Essjay in the Ciminelli development.
Business After Hours Winter Block Party 1/21/2025
The Chamber remains focused on assisting you develop your young talent. Our Emerging Business Leader's program is currently accepting applications for the 2025 cohort of young professionals seeking to enhance their professional skills and expand their networks. This program has enjoyed tremendous success over the past few years. I encourage everyone to look within their organizations and make a meaningful investment in one of your team members.
EBL Leadership Program 2025
EBL Winter ProMix 1/29/2025
On the last day of the month, Friday, January 31st, the Chamber will host its Annual Meeting, where we will unveil our 2025 Economic Development and Public Policy Agenda, seat the 2025 Board of Directors, and hear from Amherst Town Supervisor Brian Kulpa as he will give the last of his State of the Town Address. This event sells out quickly, and with 200+ people already registered, be sure to reserve your spot today!
Annual Meeting 1/31/2025
I wish every one of you a prosperous and fulfilling year ahead. The Chamber remains steadfast in our commitment to supporting our members and working towards a more successful tomorrow. Please remember, my door is always open. MORE.
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Amherst Chamber of Commerce
active members in good standing
are entitled to 4 hours of conference room
at no charge* per calendar year
*subject to room availability
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Proud Member Badges for 2025 are now available
fo members in good standing
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Univera/Part 2: How Can You Support Your Team with the Rise of Health Care Costs | We're back with PART TWO in our cost saving series. As a recap, we know the upward trend of health care costs is expected to continue, impacting employers and individuals alike. High drug prices, increases in outpatient procedures, and more members needing high-cost care are challenging health plans, employers, patients, and the entire health care... | | | |
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**Register for Upcoming Events
by Clicking on the Image**
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Lunch & Learns are back for 2025 and will cover a variety of topics.
Free to members, light lunch provided. Limited Seating.
- February 21st | Belonging at Work:Tips to Drive Retention & Inclusion in Business
- March 21st | Wage & HR Compliance, Handbook ESSENTIALS & more!
- April Date TBD | AI
- May 16th | CliftonStrengths Assessments
- July 18th | Virtual Assistants Demystified: Real People, Real Experts
- August 15th | Fractional CFO: maximizing Business Finance
- October 17th | Cybersecurity
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Join us for a Winter Block Party and
Open House from 4pm - 7pm!
Food catered By Wegmans and a
special Hot Cocoa Bar will be available!
If you can't make it on January 21st, join us on January 24th for New Member Orientation & Open House
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It's the season of giving! Each year, Horizon Health has a Sock & Underwear Drive for the Horizon Village Terrace House location in Downtown Buffalo. Many patients entering treatment at Terrace House are in need of socks, underwear, T-shirts, and bras. This annual drive provides the opportunity to stock up on these much-needed items.
All donations brought to the EBL Winter ProMix will receive an extra raffle ticket! All donations must be new. Nothing used will be accepted.
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EBL Leadership Program:
Only 3 seats left!
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2025 offers Amherst Chamber members (and their teams!) access to multiple leadership and personality assessments this year. Learn who you are, what kind of leader you are, what your personality traits are so you can be self aware plus learn your team's skillsets to maximize their potential. The growth opportunities from these resources will assist your business. The only cost to members is the cost of the assessment.
The Chamber is proud to partner with Daemen University, Kathy Goller & Tiffany Dillon for these tools. EBL Leadership Program participants will also receive a Workplace Big Five report.
March 14th = FourSight Assessment | EBL Symposium
May 16th = [Gallup] CliftonStrengths | Lunch & Learn
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Keeping You Informed
Business Resources
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New Laws 2025
Reminders from the NYS Department of Labor
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Attention Private Employers: Paid Prenatal Leave Begins January 1st
Beginning January 1, 2025, New York’s Paid Prenatal Leave law will go into effect. This first-in-the-nation law will require private employers to provide pregnant employees with 20 hours of paid prenatal leave, ensuring that pregnant employees can take time off for medical appointments related to pregnancy without the fear of losing income.
Paid Prenatal Leave is applicable to both full-time and part-time employees.
Pregnancy-related health care includes physical examinations, medical procedures, monitoring, testing, and discussions with a health care provider related to the pregnancy.
- This personal leave time may be taken in hourly increments, and compensation provided must be at the employee’s regular rate of pay or the applicable minimum wage, whichever is greater.
- Employers are not required to pay an employee for unused prenatal personal leave at the time of separation from employment.
With Paid Prenatal Personal Leave, businesses can help expectant workers focus on their health needs without financial worry while providing them with the peace of mind that comes with knowing they work in a place that puts their needs first.
Everyone should be able to access the care they need, especially when they are expecting. Paid Prenatal Leave is another shining example of how New York State and New York State businesses are committed to supporting the health and safety of all workers.
For more information about Paid Prenatal Personal Leave, please visit ny.gov/prenatal.
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Reminder: New York State Minimum Wage Increasing January 1
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that on January 1, New York’s minimum wage will increase to $16.50/hour in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, and $15.50/hour for the rest of the state. Raising New York's minimum wage to keep pace with inflation will benefit hundreds of thousands of minimum wage workers across the state.
“In this current era of inflation and rising costs, every cent counts for all New Yorkers, especially workers who earn the minimum wage. By gradually increasing wages for the lowest earners, we are ensuring businesses can adjust to the change while also helping more families make ends meet,” said NYSDOL Commissioner Roberta Reardon.
This increase is the continuation of the historic multi-year plan to increase the minimum wage to 2027 and beyond. Looking ahead, the minimum wage will increase by $0.50 in 2026. In 2027, it will increase annually at a rate determined by the Consumer Price Index.
If you have any questions about how New York State’s minimum wage laws impact your business, please reach out to the NYSDOL at 1-888-4-NYSDOL (1-888-469-7365).
To help inform businesses and employees about Minimum Wage, the DOL also has several resources available on our website, including the Minimum Wage Lookup tool.
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ICYMI: New Contractor Registry is Now Live
The Department of Labor has just launched a new Public Work Contractor Registry System.
All contractors and subcontractors who bid on public work projects or commence work on a private project covered by Article 8 of the Labor Law are required to register with the New York State Department of Labor under Labor Law Section 220-i.
Contractors and subcontractors will now be able to access the Contractor Registry online. A non-refundable fee of $200 is required to register. Minority or women-owned businesses are eligible for a reduced rate of $100 to register. Registrations must be renewed every two years.
Any contractor or subcontractor who commences work on a contract subject to prevailing wage requirements and who fails to register may be subject to a civil penalty of $1,000.
Please visit our Public Work Contractor and Subcontractor Registry page today to learn more about how to register.
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Extreme Cold Weather Guidance for Outdoor Workers
NYSDOL has announced New Extreme Weather Guidance for extreme cold weather. To protect workers from plummeting temperatures and dangerously low wind chills, NYSDOL strongly encourages all businesses to follow these extreme weather best practices:
- Limit outdoor work, provide frequent breaks in warm areas and schedule outdoor work during the warmest times of the day.
- Ensure access to clean drinking water.
- Have a written plan for handling acclimatization, extreme cold preparedness and emergency response.
- Train workers and supervisors annually on cold preparedness plans and to recognize the symptoms of cold-related illnesses like hypothermia and frostbite.
To keep themselves safe, workers should:
- Stay hydrated with warm beverages and avoid drinking caffeine.
- Wear proper PPE, including at least three layers of clothing, gloves or mittens, thick socks, insulated footwear and a hat, hood or hard hat liner.
Our top priority is to keep all workers safe and protected. Please visit our Extreme Weather Guidance page for more detailed information about how we are working to create safer environments for people looking for work in outdoor careers.
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ESC Ringing in 2025 with Compliance Updates | |
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Effective January 1, 2025, the business vehicle standard mileage rate is increased to 70¢ per mile (up from 67¢ per mile in 2024).
On September 5, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the New York Retail Worker Safety Act into law. Covered retail employers have until March 4, 2025 to adopt polices and training for workplace violence prevention. Specifically, the Act requires a workplace violence prevention policy that includes:
- Identification of risk factors (e.g., late-night hours, cash handling, working alone).
- Preventative measures and reporting systems for incidents.
- Information on legal remedies available to victims.
- Anti-retaliation provisions for employees reporting concerns.
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From Ace Flag:
At Ace Flag and Gift Shop, we are your local gift shop with a FUN personality, offering gifts for all seasons: find UNIQUE here! Our commitment to quality products and outstanding customer service helps you celebrate life’s moments, big and small. Our little gift shop on the corner is truly retail therapy. In the market for a flagpole for your home or business? We offer full installation and service of residential and commercial flagpoles from 15 - 100 feet too!
Our full-service Signs & Graphics department caters to businesses of all sizes, providing solutions from custom wallpaper and wall wraps to banners, custom flags, and more. We are dedicated to bringing your vision to life. Our vast portfolio can be seen all across WNY.
Celebrating 88 years of excellence, we are proud to say that at Ace, we are so much more than just flags! We would love the opportunity to earn your business.
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Member to Member Discount
15% off your in store or online order
with promo code ''chamberfriend''
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Members are offered a special 12% discount at the Holiday Inn Express, Buffalo NE Lockport. Click the image below to begin the reservation process. | |
Ways to Stay Active and Healthy This Winter | |
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Due to colder temperatures and fewer daylight hours, many people tend to hibernate during the winter months. A lack of physical activity can lead to unhealthy habits and increase your risk for diabetes, heart disease, cancers and mental health disorders
Instead of hiding out until spring, now is the time to incorporate some cold-weather activities into your daily fitness routine, such as:
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Winter walking. If you are looking to increase your calorie burn, just step out into the cold for your walk. Your body needs extra energy to keep your core temperature warm, which burns more calories. And if you are chilly, it may prompt you to pick up your pace. Be sure to wear shoes or boots with good traction to avoid slipping and try to choose routes that are free of ice.
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Shovel snow. Instead of dreading it, think of shoveling snow as your cardio and strength workout for the day. To stay safe, be sure to bend at your knees, lift straight up and do not throw the snow over your shoulder, especially if the snow is heavy and wet. By clearing your driveway and sidewalks, you can burn significant calories.
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Hit the slopes. Downhill skiing and snowboarding are great ways to torch calories this winter. Skiing also targets your thighs, calves, core and arm muscles, making it a great full-body workout. Independent Health members can enjoy discounted rates at Kissing Bridge and Holiday Valley by simply showing their Independent Health member ID card.
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Try the trails instead. If you prefer a flatter course with a slower pace, cross-country skiing may be a better choice. Depending on your weight and how fast you go, you may burn 400-900 calories per hour. This activity recruits the same muscles as downhill skiing, as well as your triceps, biceps, hips, glutes and back muscles.
Other fun ways to stay physically active this winter include sledding (climb your way to the top to work your glute muscles and get your heart pumping), snowshoeing (move across the deep snow while working your legs) and ice skating (test your balance and grace while improving your endurance, strength and stamina). Independent Health members are eligible for discounted rates on skate rentals and various wintertime activities at Buffalo RiverWorks.
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Amherst Chamber of Commerce
716.632.6905 | info@amherst.org | amherst.org
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