T-burg Chamber looks to rebuild

After almost a year of COVID-19 restrictions, many businesses and organizations are hoping to bounce back in 2021, including the Trumansburg Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC).

TACC suffered a double whammy last year when COVID-19 struck only weeks after it was discovered that the Chamber credit card had been compromised in late 2019. Tompkins Weekly reported on the incident last year, stating that Chamber President Elaine Springer had been suspended from the board pending investigation into fiscal oversight. The Ithaca Voice reported that fraudulent charges added up to $2,500.

Current President Steven Daly said that Chamber staff members have not recovered any of the funds, and at this point, they just want to put it in the past and move forward.

“It was immediately followed by the COVID outbreak,” Daly said about the loss of funds. “It really put a damper on trying to rebuild things for most of last year. We stopped membership. We didn’t collect any dues except for those that paid them automatically. We were doing as much as we could to support our local businesses, members and nonmembers and promote events and local shopping.”

Daly, who owns Ithaca Vintage, said that the incident coupled with COVID caused the Chamber to halt most of its normal activities. Daly said that the Chamber is looking for new members to join the board and that he looks at last year’s setbacks as a chance to improve how the Chamber operates.

“We want to let everyone know that we are trying to build a better chamber and we need input from new voices who would like to be a part of shaping it,” Daly said. “Many businesses have been hit hard, and as we recover, we want to know what is needed and what would help. We are looking for opportunities in the chaos and the people who want to help find them.”

The Chamber, which celebrated its 100th year in 2019, is funded by member dues and has a board made up of local business owners who volunteer their time. The purpose of the Chamber is to promote local commerce, and, during a normal year, staff members host networking opportunities, educational workshops and events.

Lindsay Hart, current Chamber member and former board member, said that her time on the board from 2012 to 2018 was rewarding and productive. She said she joined the board to serve her community and to support the many local businesses that call T-burg home. She said one of the highlights of her term was raising membership from 50 members to more than 100, largely due to an expanded web presence including a platform to pay dues online.

Hart runs the RE/MAX real estate team Hart and Homes and said that Trumansburg’s small-town charm is often a selling point for buyers looking to relocate to the greater Ithaca area.

“They’re often deciding between Trumansburg and Lansing,” Hart said of her clients. “And they’ll say, ‘Trumansburg just has that community feel.’ The Main Street businesses help with that feeling, and having a chamber is all about helping businesses out and lifting each other up.”

Hart said that she thinks the Chamber serves as a nice way to slow down and connect with her neighbors. She notes that it’s been a crucial resource in her real estate business.

“It’s really important to have a group of locals that I can refer people to because I get asked, ‘Do you know a good handyman, electrician, plumber?’” Hart said. “I just came from a listing appointment, and they need help with consignment and valuing of some of their antique pieces, and I said, ‘I got the guy for you — Steven Daly!’ I would have never met Steven if I hadn’t been on the Chamber.”

With the existence of social media, online shopping and the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, people have questioned whether there is still a need for TACC. Hart commented that after almost a year of online meetings and doom scrolling, she thinks that the Chamber is poised to make a big comeback.

“I think it’s going to be more important because there is a lot of Zoom and social media exhaustion,” Hart said. “When we’re able to safely get together again, I think you’re going to see the reinvention of the Chamber.”

The Chamber wasn’t able to host networking lunches or events like Porchfest or Winter Fest this year. It was able to host a “Light Up T-burg” contest at the holidays to award residential homes and businesses with the best holiday light displays and created a “Shop Local Holiday Guide” directory of area businesses to support during gift-giving season.

Daly said that plans for events in 2021 aren’t finalized yet, but he’s hopeful that networking lunches may be able to start again soon and that Porchfest can run on schedule in June. With all this uncertainty, he said they are looking for people to help the Chamber think outside the box for 2021.

“We’re looking for fresh, young people who want to be involved for a long time,” Daly said. “People starting new businesses and those that want to shape the business scene in Trumansburg — anybody who is excited and has new ideas — if they want to help our area grow, then they’re welcome.”

Board elections are usually held in November but, due to the pandemic, will be rescheduled for sometime later this year. Board members are expected to attend monthly meetings and work with committees outside of meetings to get things accomplished.

For businesses looking to join the Chamber as a member, rates for 2021 are discounted from the usual $85 to $40. Memberships start in January and will be prorated throughout the year.

Visit its website for more information, trumansburgchamber.com, or email them at trumansburgchamber@gmail.com