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Chamber Home Show: Your one-stop shop

Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Home Show has always been a one-stop shop where attendees can shop and compare for many home and garden products and service.

At this year’s Home Show, scheduled April 12-14 at the William O. Smith Recreation Center in Olean, space will be dedicated for demonstrations and seminars for the local “do it yourselfers. Several presentations are scheduled and topics include: Water Testing for Your Home, Gardening Techniques, Wine Pairing for Any Occasion, Saving and Protecting your memories, Decorative Tips for any home and budget, and more.

The show dates and times are April 12, 5 to 9 p.m.; April 13, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and April 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

April 12 is the Wine / Brew Walk, where you can enjoy tastes from NYS wineries & breweries. The evening is sponsored by The Mix 101.5 WMXO FM. April 13 is sponsored by The Big Pig 95.7 WPIG FM and raffles will be held every 30 minutes. The final day of the show is sponsored by The Hero 100.1 WBRR FM and will features a garden party in which 50 pansy pots and 50 basil pots will be handed out courtesy of Miller’s Farm Market to the first 100 people in the show.

With less than 35 vendor booths remaining (of more than 117 available) - we encourage anyone interested to call today to reserve a space. At least 75 of the area’s leading businesses are expected to exhibit their wares and services at the upcoming show.

The Home Show is a unique marketplace to shop, compare and save on a total selection of home-related products and services for building, remodeling, gardening and decorating. The show gives you more experts, vendors, companies in one place at one time than any other opportunity in our area.

From windows and flooring to cabinets and landscaping and much more, the Home Show, presented by Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce and its 46 Corporate Sponsors, is your all-access pass to home improvements.

The food concession will be Green Acres Café with a menu of meatball subs, Italian sausage and chicken salad sandwiches, chicken tenders, chicken wing and dill pickle soups, sweet rolls, cookies, and more.

For more information on the Olean Home Show, please call Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce at 372-4433 or email member@oleanny.com.

Prep for Corporate Challenge 5k in eight weeks

Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce has introduced a new program to help those participating in the upcoming Southern Tier Corporate Challenge 5k Run and 2.1 Mile Walk get ready for race day.

Starting on April 29, the Chamber will offer an eight-week course, 8weeks2runninga5k. During the two months leading up the race, the program helps people ease into running a 5k. This year’s Challenge is set for June 27.

“It’s great to see so many people come out and participate in the Corporate Challenge, but we would like to see people challenging themselves to run,” said Erica Dreher, the Chamber’s membership outreach coordinator and an avid runner. “There are step by step guides to running a 5K -- Couch to 5K Training; Become a Runner in 8 Weeks; and Run a 5K, among many others online”

Those looking to participate in the training program are asked to register with the Chamber by calling 373-4433 or emailing info@oleanny.com. Once the a person is registered, the Chamber will email out several programs to choose from. Each week, the Chamber will email the training participants with encouragement, status of their program, and other tidbits.

After the eight weeks and the challenge event, the Chamber will place all participants name in a hat, and choose winners — gifts will range from a subscription to a runners magazine, a gift card to local grocery stores, and t-shirts and hats.

Participants in the eight-week training program should consult their physicians before you start any exercise program, if you are over 40, not accustomed to any exercise, or more than 20 pounds overweight; Schedule your workouts/trainings; expect bad days and don’t rush.”

The Chamber began hosting the Southern Tier Corporate Challenge 5K Run and 2.1 Mile Walk in 2011 with the goal of supporting companies in creating internal wellness programs. The Corporate Challenge allowed local businesses to compete in a participative and competitive basis, while promoting fitness and corporate camaraderie. That first year, the event had 302 participants, 102 more than anticipated. The challenge has been a success every year since, with an average 700 participants.

For more information or questions, please call 716-372-4433 or email info@oleanny.com.

Job training funding available at Chamber

Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce has been awarded its 39th training grant, $112,000 for employee training through the Chamber of Commerce On-The-Job Training (OJT) Program. OJT occurs while the participant is engaged in work, which provides knowledge or skills essential to the full and adequate performance of the job. The grant runs from April 1 to March 31, 2020.

“The Chamber has administered On-the-Job Training Programs since 1977 to help companies reduce the cost of training new employees,” said Meme K. Yanetsko, the chamber’s COO. “For 2018-19 program year, the Chamber administered an $112,000 training grant — assisting 24 companies with 48 trainees gaining full-time employment. The average training reimbursement was $2,333 with average trainee wage $14.16. The Chamber’s experience in administering the program and the track record of placing our residents in full-time positions gave us an edge over the other chambers across New York State. We continue to be one of seven chambers selected to receive the training award.”

The suitability of OJT programs for diverse training needs of employers makes it the most widely used approach. OJT can be developed to train a single employee, an expanding workforce or many employees in various job titles. OJT provides a 50 percent wage reimbursement during training. The skill level of the job(s) determines the length of an OJT program. With OJT, the paperwork is a simple, quick process and the reimbursement is prompt.

The best direction to take for new hires is to list company job openings at the Department of Labor/One Stop Center. This will ensure the company the best training programs with the quickest turnaround time. Also, any individual interested in job training should also visit the One Stop located at 175 N. Union St., Olean. All the training programs have certain restrictions - however, by working through the Chamber, they can refer "eligible" people to employers. The employer does selection of the trainee. The programs, as provided in the grant, pays half the trainee's salary during the training period, which may vary from six to 20 weeks, depending on job complexity.

For more information on job training programs, please contact the Chamber at 372-4433, email info@oleanny.com or stop in at 301 N. Union St, Olean.

City hiring summer help

The City of Olean, Youth & Recreation Department, is accepting applications for the following positions for the 2019 summer season:

Certified Lifeguards for the William O. Smith Recreation Center and Franchot Wading Pools: $11.25 p/hour

Recreation Leaders for the Summer Recreation Program: $11.10 p/hour

Recreation Attendants for the William O. Smith Recreation Center: $11.10 p/hour

You must be 16 years of age or older to apply for positions. All positions are part-time with no benefits and will conclude at the end of the summer season. Applications are available in the Olean Municipal Building, Room 109. For more information call 716-376-5666 or 716-376-5698. City of Olean residents will be given preference in filling positions. The City of Olean is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider.

Events galore through the Chamber

Olean Area Young Professionals next event April 11

Olean Area Young Professionals will hold its next networking event from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m., April 11, at Olean Business Development, 301 N. Union St. Food from Mercato and drinks will be provided. The event will feature a brief presentation by John Crawford, the city of Olean’s Common Council president, as well as several raffles.

To RSVP, visit: https://goo.gl/forms/zRX9Trd3yhdTKcZJ3

The Community-wide Garage Sale is slated from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 18. The Chamber is encouraging people to get up in their attics, basements, and garages and start sorting and cleaning. Garage sales are very well attended events. Our event has grown in number of houses participating and last year more than 250 maps were handed out. We encourage residents to hold garage sales at their homes or join with neighbors to hold block sales. For anyone who is interested in holding a garage sale at their home, they need to register their address with the Chamber and will be place on the garage sale map for a $4 fee. The Chamber will need address, and a short list of items that the home would be selling. Deadline to enter is May 15. Maps depicting the locations of the garages sales will be available on Friday, May 17 and also will be handed out at the Chamber’s office on the morning of the sales, beginning at 7 a.m.

The Corporate Challenge 5k and Walk will be held June 27 at Jamestown Community College’s campus in downtown Olean. The event was created by the Chamber with the goal of supporting companies in creating internal wellness programs. The race is open to both corporate and community teams. The challenge concludes with "Olean’s Largest Office Party" following the race complete with awards to the Fastest CEO, the Fastest Team, The Most Spirited Team, T-Shirt Design Contest Winner among other awards.

The Corporate Golf Classic is scheduled for July 15 at the Bartlett Country Club. What company foursome will reign supreme in this 6th Corporate Golf Classic? This event is in format phase, but the Chamber will invite corporates and community to partake in this golf competition that is sure to be a classic.

Also, the ever popular StrOlean event will be back again this year – not just once or twice – but three times! The events committee set the dates as June 15, Aug. 16 and Oct. 26.

Specific details, vendor applications, participant registration forms can be found on the Chamber’s website, www.oleanny.com. For more information, please contact the Chamber by phone at 716-372-4433 or by email tourism@oleanny.com.

Olean Business Development taking applications for building improvement grant program

Grant money is becoming available to property owners within the designated area of the city’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) zone.

Through the $10 million DRI awarded to the city of Olean, Olean Business Development (OBD) received $600,000. The funding is meant for building renovations primarily focused on facade upgrades, as well as renovations to building interiors.

Applications are being accepted through 3 p.m. March 29.

Olean Business Development has the following goals for the grant program:

• Encourage and support downtown property owners to restore building facades and improve properties to create attractive, vibrant commercial clusters that integrate guidelines of Olean’s form-based code, state historic preservation, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

• Help building owners renovate properties for better commercial success in our downtown.

• Promote public-private investment, collaboration, and prosperity in the downtown neighborhood.

The DRI target zone encompasses a 480-acre area approximately from Olean General Hospital south to the Allegheny River and Olean Creek west to Sixth Street.

To obtain an application or for more information, email RSVP@oleanbd.com or call 716-701-4009.

CRCF endowments generate more than $10,500 in grants in March

A number of local organizations have been awarded grants from four donor-designated funds at the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, to the tune of over $10,500 total.

The donors who established these five funds – Luella Potter Endowment Fund, Kay and Oliver Williams/Rushford Endowment Fund, Jim and Gail Olson Mercy Flight Fund, The Rev. Leo J. Gallina Endowment Fund for St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church – designated organizations that mattered to them to receive annual support from their funds.

The Kay and Oliver Williams/Rushford Endowment Fund makes possible annual grants to eight organizations that support the identity and long history of the Rushford community.

Grants made in March include:

• First Baptist Church of Rushford - $1,116?

• United Methodist Church of Rushford - $1,116 ?

• Rushford Library - $1,116?

• Podonque Cemetery - $755?

• Rushford Boy Scouts - Boy Scouts Pack 708 based in the Cuba-Rushford School District - $755?

• Rushford Cemetery - $755?

• Rushford Concert Band – $755?

The fund also made possible a grant in January of $755 to the Cuba-Rushford Central School Outdoors program in support of the conservation camp program.

The Luella Potter Endowment Fund will provide for a grant of $2,173 to Southern Tier Catholic School. The fund was named in honor of Luella Potter who taught at Southern Tier Catholic School for some 39 years.

Southern Tier Catholic School has received over $40,000 in support from the fund since its inception.

The Jim and Gail Olson Mercy Flight Fund made possible a grant of $989 to support the Olean Mercy Flight station. Mrs. Olson established the fund in 2013 to provide annual support for Mercy Fight in Olean.

The Rev. Leo J. Gallina Endowment Fund for St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church, established by Father Gallina, supports St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church, Bradford, Pa., including support of parishioners in need and its community outreach to help others. This year’s grant totals $1,045.

“Every March I am reminded of the power of an endowment when these funds make annual grant distributions,” said CRCF Executive Director Karen Niemic Buchheit. “These funds provide meaningful and reliable support to organizations loved by the donor.

“Because the financial and administrative work is handled by the Foundation, the donors can make these philanthropic contributions with ease and — in the case of donors like Kay and Oliver Williams — that support can last even after they have passed away.”

Donations can be made to any of these funds at CRCF, 301 North Union St., Suite 203, or online at cattfoundation.org.

Leadership Cattaraugus welcomes 2019 class

Leadership Cattaraugus is pleased to announce the members of the Class of 2019.

The members of the class: Jessica Cason, St. Bonaventure University; Kelly Reed, Cattaraugus County; Emily Thomson, Jamestown Community College; Melissa DeRose, Olean Medical Group; Rachel Elser, St. Bonaventure University; Alicia Broadbent, Southern Tier Healthcare System; Hayden WIlliamson, Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services; Melanie Jones, Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services; Jordan Haines, Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office; Thomas Buttafarro, St. Bonaventure University; Andrew Boldt, Dresser-Rand; Kate Moody, Small Business Development Center; Rob DeGolier, Cutco Cutlery; Sue Lowe, Cutco Cutlery; Crystal McCartan, Cutco Cutlery; and Melissa Pawlowski, Olean Area Federal Credit Union.

The class will gather once a month for program days, which will take the group all around Cattaraugus County to gain exposure to and detailed knowledge of the problems, opportunities and issues facing Cattaraugus County. The class also develops and enhances existing leadership skills, and develops a broad and diverse network of professional and civic leaders.

Leadership Cattaraugus is designed to identify future leaders of the area and help them develop the skills they will need to work more effectively for the betterment of all the people in Cattaraugus County, fostering an impact on community development and quality of life for years to come.

Leadership Cattaraugus was jointly launched in spring 2004 by the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, Jamestown Community College, The ReHabilitation Center, and St. Bonaventure University.

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