ROBERT M. PALMIERI

MAYOR

For Immediate Release: March 27, 2020

UTICA MAYOR ROBERT PALMIERI & THE GREATER UTICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCE INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES

Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri and Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Meghan McGrogan today announced the #ShopGreaterUtica initiative to support local businesses.

Many local businesses have been negatively impacted by the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and it is important we come together to help them.

Individuals can visit the Chamber’s Social Distancing Guide, https://greateruticachamber.org/help-support-chamber-member-establishments/ for a list of local businesses they can support. The website will be updated regularly.

Another way the community can promote the #ShopGreaterUtica initiative is by purchasing gift cards from local businesses. Individuals can use the gift cards for themselves or for someone who is experiencing financial hardship.

To show solidarity with the entire business community, the Chamber will promote non-member businesses at this time. Business owners who would like to have their business promoted by the Chamber can fill out the form right on the Social Distancing Guide landing page, which can easily be found on the homepage of https://greateruticachamber.org.

Business owners can also contact the Small Business Administration, https://www.sba.gov/, and Empire State Development, https://esd.ny.gov/ for assistance that might be available for their business.

To help spread awareness about this initiative, individuals are encouraged to use #ShopGreaterUtica on their social media when supporting any local business.

Mayor Palmieri stated, “I am proud to partner with the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce in this effort as it is vital we come together and do everything we can to assist our local businesses. While the Coronavirus has caused economic disruption and setbacks, it is no match for the warmth, compassion and generosity of our community.”

Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Meghan McGrogan stated, “We are so excited to announce a great partnership with Mayor Palmieri to support our local businesses who need our community to get behind them at this time. Ordinarily we promote and support our Chamber Members, as they solely fund our organization. At this time, I am proud to say that given these unique circumstances, we will offer the opportunity for all area businesses (members and non-members) to be included in this effort. We are all in this together and will do whatever we can to ensure our area businesses stay open.”