2 • March 2022 The Chamber Factor

…continuing the proud tradition of salt mining in the Genesee Valley. …Dating back to 1885
Support Legislation to “Buy US Products ESPECIALLY Salt”
Please ask your representatives to support NYS Senate Bill S3908 (nysenate.gov) and
NYS Assembly Bill A07919 (nyassembly.gov) Thank you!
Miners drilled holes in the 1930’s Photo Credit: Larry Tetamore • Tetamore Photographic
to prepare the area for explosives.
Although technology has dramatically
increased the efficiency of salt mining
(especially in the areas of loading
and transportation), the five major
steps remain the same: undercutting,
drilling, blasting, loading and
transportation.

…Keeping a skilled labor force employed…

American Rock Salt has
supported the economy of
this entire region, bringing
over 410 employees to
Livingston County and
hundreds of related jobs to
All Our Rock Salt is Mined With
the region through the Pride by NYS Workers
trucking, rail, and
construction industries. Keeping Roads Safe in 12 States
….To now having the largest producing salt mine in the United States.

The Taste of Livingston is Back at
Camp Stella Maris
The Taste of Livingston
County is happily returning
to Camp Stella Maris on Tues-
day May 24, 2022, featuring a
wide variety of delicious
dishes, scrumptious desserts
and locally crafted beer and
wine featuring more than
twenty restaurants, craft
brewers and caterers.
The event is co-sponsored
by Arc GLOW NY and the Liv-
ingston County Chamber of
Commerce - two of the area’s
top advocacy organizations.
Arc GLOW is dedicated to
helping people meet their
full potential and find fulfill-
ment in learning, personal
relationships, employment,
volunteerism, recreation, the
arts, and more, serving Gene-
see, Livingston, Orleans, and
Wyoming Counties, NY. The
Chamber is Livingston Coun-
ty’s leader in building the fu-
ture workforce, connecting
the business community and
insuring the health of your
business.
For over twenty years, the
Taste of Livingston was one
of the first harbingers of
spring! Described by Cham-
ber President Laura Lane as “a
signature event to promote
The Chamber Factor March 2022 • 3
signature dishes”. The Taste of for $75.00. Contact Melissa
Livingston drew Western Savino Melissa@Livingston-
New Yorkers out of their CountyChamber.com to re-
home after the long winter serve your tickets early. In
and reminded people of all past years it has been a sold
the wonderful places to eat out event.
and drink in Livingston.
The goal of this year’s event
is to promote community in-
clusion and to highlight the
mouth watering signature
dishes of our local restau-
rants, caterers, bakeries, win-
eries, cideries and breweries
to encourage repeat dining
opportunities throughout
the summer and the rest of
the year in Livingston Coun-
ty.
Taste of Livingston delivers
an eclectic blend of dining
options for every taste. Sup-
porters in and out of Living-
ston County are invited to at-
tend the event to taste food
and beverages from local
vendors and have a great
time with friends, all while
supporting two important
missions in our community.
Tickets are $30.00 for gen-
eral admission. A VIP Experi-
ence including early admis-
sion, a swag bag, reserved
seating and an opportunity
to meet the chefs is available
Catholic Charities Steuben/Livingston continues to provide essential
services to our community, such as: emergency payment assistance,
food and personal items, emergency housing, medical transports for
our most vulnerable as well as ongoing counseling and casework.
Livingston Office
34 E. State Street • Mt. Morris, NY 14510
Hours: Monday & Thursday 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm
{585) 658-4466 • www.ccsteubenlivingston.org
Food Pantry
102 Main Street • Mt. Morris, NY 14510
Hours: Monday & Thursday 9am-1 pm
Wednesday 1pm-3pm
If you need us, we are here for you.
4 • March 2022
Getting ready for the ‘greatest day ever’
By BRENDAN MCDONOUGH
bmcdonough@livingstonnews.com
MOUNT MORRIS – There
was a lot of wedding plan-
ning happening on Sunday
at the Genesee River Restau-
rant and Reception Center,
134 North Main St., as the Liv-
ingston County Area Cham-
ber of Commerce presented
its third annual Dream Wed-
ding Expo.
“This is just an event that
allows us to showcase what
we have here in the area to
promote our businesses, to
let our businesses network
with each other in the wed-
ding industry and to just sup-
port the community and to
let people know what is out
here,” said Chamber Member
Services Coordinator Melissa
Savino.
The event featured dozens
of vendors that enabled cou-
ples to find that perfect wed-
ding dress or taste some
sweet treats, among other
offerings.
“A lot of people are getting
everything from cake pops or
pies or just something that
fits more of their personality,”
said Ruth Ann Lewis, owner
of Sweet Arts Bakery in Gen-
eseo.
Tony D’Alessandro and his
finance Sarah Cooper were
hoping the expo could give
them some new ideas for
their wedding.
“We are kind of the fence.
We are like ‘Are we going to
do it here or Key West?’ We
saw this and were like ‘I guess
this is a good place to start,’”
said D’Alessandro.
Others such as Aimee Da-
vidson and Sean Dempsey
only have a short time to plan
their wedding. Dempsey is in
the National Guard and is be-
ing deployed three weeks af-
ter their May wedding.
“We kind of had to plan it
last minute because Sean is
getting deploye,d but we
wanted to come make con-
nections and see all of the lo-
cals,” said Davidson.
Dempsey acknowledged
that the short time to plan a
wedding has been over-
whelming at time.
“It has been kind of over-
whelming, because we are
also trying purchase a home
in this whole process, so it
has been a fun experience,”
said Dempsey.
Howard Hanna, a real es-
tate company, was at the
event to answer questions
and help guide couples
through the home-buying
process.
“A lot of couples have ques-
tions,” said Howard Hanna
agent Kim Roberts. Couples
wonder if they are ready to
buy a home, “and we can help
them make that decision,”
The Chamber Factor
Roberts said.
“I just helped a young cou-
ple get a house. They are from
Geneseo and it was very ex-
citing for them and also for
me,” said Roberts.
Also exited to help couples
was staff from The Wedding
Dress, a bridal and tuxedo
shop in Geneseo. The look
they said people are going
for now is one with a very
clean line, but that can be a
little pricey.
“Budgets have increased. I
would say the average dress Brendan McDonough/Livingston County News
is between $1,500 and $2,000
but it is the greatest day ever. wants, and values they share. And Savino said she hopes
Tt is so exciting to be able to Though couples will contin- the local weddings help to
help them find their dream ue to get married, many have showcase not only the ven-
dress,” said Liz Yull of The shifted their perspective, ues and businesses, but all
Wedding Dress. which may affect how they that Livingston County has to
With changes that have plan their weddings. offer.
presented themselves since For couples like Sherrie “People usually don’t just
2020 and the ongoing pan- Canfield and Chris Wester come in for the one day,” Savi-
demic, couples and families shopping local and support- no said. “They will come in for
may have found themselves ing local businesses is an im- a few days, so it really gets
re-evaluating the needs, portant part of their wedding people to see our towns and
planning. villages. Hopefully not just
“We are big on supporting coming for the wedding but
local businesses, so that is to come back again and
what we are going for any again.”
ways,” said Canfield.
Brendan McDonough/Livingston County News

Top four reasons your student should
attend a career presentation
Students begin self-limit-
ing their career choices as
early as first grade. You can’t
do what you don’t know, is
much more than just an ad-
age. Our young people
should have access to and an
awareness of the tremen-
dous opportunities that are
available to them right here
in Livingston County. T o
address this, all nine Living-
ston County schools under
the GV BOCES umbrella host
monthly Career Presenta-
tions coordinated by Educa-
tion to Employment at the
Chamber. While all of the
schools host events at the
high school level, some also
include middle, and elemen-
tary programs. Career pro-
fessionals from all walks of
life connect classrooms to ca-
reers in these 30 to 60-min-
ute interactions. In January
and February, over 350 stu-
dents got to meet and learn
from professionals who spe-
cialize in marketing, heavy
equipment operation, physi-
cal therapy, environmental
conservation, culinary arts,
dairy farming, manufactur-
ing, zoology, first response,
skilled trades, law and more.
Students gain a wealth of in-
formation including: what a
day in the life looks like, path-
ways into the careers, job
outlooks, and earning poten-
tial. The reasons to attend are
many.
Reason One: Soft Skills
Matter. It is crucial for stu-
dents to appreciate as early
as possible that the skills they
develop in school will trans-
late directly to the world of
work. Consistent attendance
in school is visible on student
transcripts and shows em-
ployers students can be re-
lied upon to come to work.
Fay Feurch, NYS DEC Environmental Conservation Officer and K9 Hanley provide a Career Pathway Presenta-
tion at Dansville High School in February
Being on time for class, turn-
ing in assignments when
due, and meeting your
school obligations carries
over into interactions within
every profession from punch-
ing in on time, to being pre-
pared for presentations, or
having a car repaired as
promised. Communication is
essential to every connection
we have with others, both in
and beyond school. Whether
it is written or verbal, it mat-
ters. Employers are seeking
people who are team players
and can communicate effec-
tively with clients, customers,
or peers. Students who work
on group projects and give
presentations are creating a
foundational skill set for their
future career. Understanding
the importance of these skills
to employers underscores for
students the need to begin
building them early.
Reason Two: It Isn’t Al-
ways What You Think It Is.
The typical day on a job, the
The Chamber Factor March 2022 • 5
brought about by new tech-
nology. Often, students have
misconceptions about the
world of work and learning
directly from those on the
front line helps to correct
that lens.
Reason Three: Relevance
of Coursework. Teachers of-
ten hear, “When will I ever use
this after I graduate?” Cer-
tainly, there is support for the
use of English in the career
arena, whether you are read-
ing or writing an instruction
manual, completing a pa-
tient chart with notes, or
communicating with a cus-
tomer; good grammar and
the ability to read, write, and
speak well are important.
What about all those other
classes? Professionals share
with students how science,
skills you need to do the is now a state-of-the-art work
math, business, art, engi-
work, and the environment environment in most cases.
neering, social studies, lan-
you do it in, needs to be clear Agricultural careers are ex-
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6 • March 2022
Career Presentation
(Continued from previous page.)
eas relate directly to their in-
dividual jobs. It is not only
the material you are taught; it
is also that you are learning
how to learn new things, ana-
lyze, problem solve, be resil-
ient and so much more in the
classroom. These skills are
necessary for all of us in our
daily work; so, learning how
to do them well in school pre-
pares students for future suc-
cess. If we are honest, we
know that our children listen
to us and their teachers …
some of the time. Hearing
this from presenters who are
working in the jobs students
The Chamber Factor
are interested in carries more
weight.
Reason Four: Explore Fu-
ture Careers While It Is Free.
The cost of post-secondary
education and training is ex-
pensive. Students are gradu-
ating in debt, often with de-
grees they don’t use. Encour-
age the student in your life to
explore and learn about all of
the options available to them
now, while it is free. Whether
their future career begins in
the world of world directly af-
ter high school, requires
technical school training, or
demands an Associate, Bach-
elor, Masters, or PhD, help to
set them on a career pathway
that offers a cost effective
path to a job they will find re-
warding and enjoyable!
Contact Angela Grouse, Di-
rector of Education to Em-
ployment at The Chamber to
learn more at angela@living-
stoncountychamber.com, or
register to become a present-
er and share your career with
the emerging workforce at
livingstoncountychamber.
com/lunch-and-learn/

Join us June 10th at Woodlyn

Hills Golf Course for the 2022
Leadership Tournament!
The Chamber of Commerce of the Livingston County Area and its charitable arm, the Liv-
ingston County Education Alliance (LCEA), are excited to announce the 2022 Leadership
Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, June 10, 2022 at Woodlyn Hills Golf Course.
With your help, the proceeds from this tournament will support the LCEA Scholarship
program, Leadership Livingston program, and Education to Employment Initiatives (E2E).
E2E serves students and educators across Livingston County with programming that ex-
pands students’ career awareness horizons and focuses on the multitude of profitable and
rewarding opportunities with companies in our region.
There are a variety of sponsorship levels which include your business logo and name rec-
ognition on signage, event program, media exposure, advertising, and at most levels a
foursome is included.  The tournament is a cost-effective, fun-filled way for sponsors to min-
gle with local business decision makers and public officials away from the desk while your
company gains exposure in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. 
Please join us in making this event a memorable and successful one!
Register at livingstoncountychamber.com using the events button or contact Angela
at angela@livingstoncountychamber.com or by phone at 585.443.2712 for more informa-
tion.

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The Chamber Factor March 2022 • 7
8 • March 2022 The Chamber Factor

Go With The Team of Professionals To Get

Pat Cole
Owner/Broker
Diana O’Grady
Office Adminstrator
The Results For Sellers & Buyers!!

Alan S. Cole Pattie Cavanaugh Darcy Dewar Lynch Marie Beikirch Jacqueline Brown Kristen Scoville William Wallace
(585) 750-3320 (862) 268-5359 (585) 329-7736
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2,000 Americans speak out
By CHRISTINA R. METCALF
There are certain conve-
niences (and necessities) that
businesses adopted during
COVID that customers have
become accustomed to. So,
as you’re making plans for a
“return to normal” you may
just want to reevaluate what
that looks like based on your
customers’ newly developed
expectations. 2,000 Ameri-
cans were surveyed by Go-
Daddy and here are the eight
things that are most import-
ant to buyers:
1. Contactless payment options
2. Curbside pickup
3. Online stores
4. Self-checkout
5. Virtual/digital loyalty cards
6. Mobile apps
7. Ordering ahead online
8. QR code menus
Not surprisingly, 68% of re-
spondents said they would
shop from small local stores
more often if they could pur-
chase items online.
What Do the Results Mean
for Small Business?
There’s very little interpre-
tation needed here. Consum-
ers are in love with conve-
nience.
You may have originally
implemented some changes
for safety protocol, but it
turns out many of us like hav-
ing food and items brought
to our cars. We love tapping
credit cards at payment ter-
The Chamber Factor March 2022 • 9
minals and we like ordering
things in our PJs and having
them delivered. If you have
already embraced more digi-
tal marketing activities, keep
it up. If you still haven’t, it’s
(past) time. People want to
interact with you at their con-
venience—and sometimes
that’s after you’ve gone
home for the day. Keep your
business open (to them) with
more online channels.
Whether you serve food or
sell non-edible items, people
have become accustomed to
sitting in their cars (or at
home) and receiving their
goods. Customers love the
convenience, the fact that
they can come as they are
and not worry about what
they look like, and can run er-
rands more efficiently.
Delivery and curbside pick-
up also save money (even
with delivery fees and tips)
when it comes to ordering
items like groceries because
it cuts down on impulse buys.
To ensure they spend more,
you’ll want to use an ordering
system (or person answering
the phone, if you take orders
that way), that makes sug-
gestions that they may also
enjoy. Don’t miss the oppor-
tunity for upsells. COVID al-
tered business interactions in
many ways, knowing what
customers have come to pre-
fer simply means rethinking 3225 Genesee Street, Piffard, NY • 585-243-4260
the best way to navigate the
other side of the pandemic.
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10 • March 2022 The Chamber Factor

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 The Chamber Factor March 2022 • 11

Annabel’s K’s Canine

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12 • March 2022 The Chamber Factor
 The Chamber Factor March 2022 • 13

Mary Schillinger-Cooke
Licensed RE Salesperson
C (585) 943-5896
11 Megan Drive Geneseo
(585) 371-5054

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585-243-3174
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14 • March 2022 The Chamber Factor
 The Chamber Factor March 2022 • 15

An goals and which tier level will

best meet those goals.
243-2222 or email melissa@
livingstoncountychamber.
We also offer Ribbon Cut- com with any questions.
invitation ting ceremonies to new busi-
nesses.
We are only a step, click, or
call away and ready to help
Please give us a call at (585) you!
to join
the
Chamber
On behalf of the Livingston
County Area Chamber of
Commerce, we would like to
personally invite you to be-
come a member of the Cham-
ber.
Formed in 1970, the Living-
ston County Area Chamber
of Commerce is a private,
non-profit, membership driv-
en organization that has
been the voice of business in
the Western Finger Lakes re-
gion for more than 50 years.
As the largest business or-
ganization in Livingston
County, representing more
than 630 businesses, com-
munity organizations, educa-
tional institutions and com-
munity members across the
Finger Lakes region, the
Chamber strives to lead in
the effort to help our region
grow as a global hub for tal-
ent, innovation and opportu-
nity.
We work diligently to con-
tinue to improve our efforts
and services to make a more
positive impact on our busi-
ness community and our re-
gional economy every day.
The Chamber creates unique
visibility opportunities for
our members to share their
successes with the communi-
ty while also connecting
them with other businesses
and establishing relation-
ships for future collaboration.
Tier levels and online regis-
tration can be found at:
https://www.livingstoncoun-
tychamber.com/join-us.
We are happy to meet with
you to discuss your business
16 • March 2022