Week of Monday, August 31, 2026 Dear Chamber Members, We’re New York’s Chamber of the Year! Last week, the Business Council of New York State announced that the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce has been named the 2026 recipient of the Chuck Steiner Memorial Chamber of the Year Award, recognizing the outstanding…
Week of Monday, August 24, 2026 Dear Chamber Members, Each year, one of my favorite things about our Catalyst Young Professionals is watching them turn networking into something bigger: community impact. Through Jingle Jam, our YPs have already raised more than $50,000 to benefit the next generation of young professionals by…
Week of Monday, August 18, 2026 Dear Chamber Members- Apparently, the New York Post has discovered Utica. A recent article named Utica the most affordable city in New York, then leaned into the familiar suggestion that affordability must somehow mean nobody wants to live here. We see it differently. Affordability is not…
Week of Monday, August 10, 2026 Dear Chamber Members, The business landscape is changing quickly; and as your Chamber, we want to make sure we’re not just responding to those changes, but helping shape what comes next. That starts with hearing from you. What challenges are affecting your business right now? Where are…
Week of Monday, August 3, 2026 Dear Chamber Members, There are few events that capture the spirit of our community quite like the Boilermaker. In 1978, the Boilermaker began as a 15K road race with 876 runners, created to celebrate the founding sponsor, Utica Boiler’s 50th anniversary. Today, it has grown into…
Week of Monday, July 27, 2026 Dear Chamber Members, This Thursday, July 30, is National Intern Day, a chance to recognize the talented young professionals helping businesses across the Mohawk Valley while investing in our region’s future workforce. If your organization is hosting interns this summer, celebrate them with a simple thank-you, a…
Week of Monday, July 20, 2026 Dear Chamber Members, Uptown Utica secured $4.5 million through New York State’s NY Forward program, and the next big step is almost here. Later this summer, the City will formally kick off an Open Call for Projects, inviting proposals for how that investment gets put to…
Week of Monday, May 25, 2026 Dear Chamber Members, As many of you know, we have quite a few upcoming ribbon cuttings and we’d love for you to be a part of these special celebrations! I encourage you all to RSVP and come out to support our local businesses if you can.…
Week of Monday, June 01, 2026 Dear Chamber Members, After months of negotiations and delayed deadlines, New York’s FY 2026-27 State Budget has finally been adopted. While budget season often creates uncertainty for employers, this year’s final agreement includes several provisions that the business community has advocated for throughout the process. Progress…
Week of Monday, June 08, 2026 Dear Chamber Members, If you’ve been following What’s Upstate over the past year, you’ve probably noticed we’re doing a lot more than publishing articles and promoting events. At its core, What’s Upstate exists to help people discover why the Mohawk Valley is a great place…
Week of Monday, July 06, 2026 Dear Chamber Members, READY TO UNLEASH THE FEAST? Oneida County Restaurant Week starts TODAY and we’ve made it easier (and more fun) than ever to explore. • Find restaurants near you • Browse menus and specials • Share photos in the community Lookbook • Play…
Week of Monday, June 29, 2026 his Fourth of July, many of us will gather with family and friends for fireworks, parades, backyard barbecues, and maybe even a baseball game. As we celebrate our nation’s independence, we’re also beginning the countdown to a remarkable milestone—America’s 250th birthday in 2026. For…
Week of Monday June 22, 2026 Dear Chamber Members, Last week, while at Utica Coffee, I struck up a conversation with a group of travelers from Scotland making their way across the United States to attend a FIFA match in Boston. They had intentionally added Utica to their itinerary after learning…
Week of Monday May 05, 2026 Dear Chamber Members, There are moments when we’re reminded just how critical our role is in shaping the future of this region- and the What’s Upstate Experience is one of them. At its core, this initiative is about talent retention- one of the most pressing challenges…
Week of Monday, April 27, 2026 Dear Chamber Members, Is your business hosting or considering hosting an intern this summer? Join us tomorrow for what promises to be an engaging and practical discussion: “Building High-Impact Internship Programs: A Practical Solution for Small Businesses.” Wendy Carpenter and Tim Thomas of the Griffiss Institute…
