By Mark Scheer Niagara Gazette The Niagara Gazette Tue Oct 04, 2011, 10:36 PM EDT
NIAGARA FALLS — It looks as though the city of Niagara Falls will once again have its own chamber of commerce.
Years after a merger resulted in the dissolution of the old Niagara Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, a new group has stepped forward to announced the formation of its own business advocacy organization in the city.
Initial plans for the new chamber were announced Tuesday. Organizers have scheduled a press conference for 5 p.m. Thursday at the Giacomo where they are expected to discuss the future of their organization in greater detail.
“Not since 1994 has Niagara Falls been properly serviced by a chamber of commerce whose sole purpose is to grow the economic base of the city”, said Frank Thomas Croisdale, a spokesman for the steering committee behind the new chamber organization.
Niagara Falls had its own chamber organization up until 2001 when it joined with the Eastern Niagara Chamber of Commerce as part of a merger that produced the Niagara USA Chamber, an organization designed to promote business interests countywide.
Niagara USA’s board Chairman Kevin Schuler said he’s does not view the formation of the new chamber as a reflection on the work done by his organization in the Falls to date. Schuler is not expecting the new group to compete directly with his organization, saying he believes it will operate more as a “niche” organization focusing on downtown Niagara Falls in a manner similar to business associations that currently exist on Pine Avenue, Main Street and other parts of the city.
“We’re really about advocating for business at the three levels of government — county, state and federal — and that’s what our focus is,” Schuler said.
Schuler said the Niagara USA chamber was aware that a new business organization was being formed but said there was no direct contact between representatives from the two groups before Tuesday’s announcement. Schuler said his chamber wishes the new group well and would be open to working with its representatives in the future.
“We certainly can’t be afraid of anybody that wants to compete with us,” Schuler said.
According to a release issued Tuesday, the new chamber will be temporarily housed at 1220 Main St., but members plan to announce a new, permanent location at a later date. In addition to Croisdale, the steering committee consists of former city councilmwoman Candra Thomason, city Planning Board Chairman Rick Smith, Georgia Brannan and Anne Smith. Republican Mayoral candidate Johnny Destino is listed as a non-voting legal advisor to the organization. Former city attorney Ron Anton is listed as the organization’s legal counsel.
According to the group’s release, the new chamber will “focus on small businesses and reaching out to the business associations to help bridge and create open communications.” It will also offer a free Web presence to all businesses with membership and a “comprehensive health insurance option.” Thursday’s press conference will feature a “sneak preview” of the new chamber’s website and insurance benefits package.
“We’re bullish on Niagara and while the water flows downward, the city has only upward to go,” said Croisdale, who also serves on the board of directors for the group, Niagara Rises.
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