Sep. 25—MASSENA — The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is still searching for someone to staff the Massena Chamber of Commerce office and funding to help pay for the position.
"One of the most important things is we've got a job opening out there for a community coordinator who can be located here in Massena at the Massena Chamber office," St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Benjamin R. Dixon told the Massena Town Board. "That person would obviously be working with the business community here in Massena and promoting the community and all it has to offer. They will also bring some specialty to the table in marketing and communications and our membership services delivery. So, that'll be very helpful and it'll be great to have that presence."
The position description and requirements can be found at stlcjobs.com.
"There are a few things you can do to help us out at this point in time," Dixon said. "One, you can refer candidates to us for that position. Please have a look at that job description. If you see someone that would be a good fit, please do let us know."
Town Supervisor Susan J. Bellor asked if there had been any commitment to help fund the position. The town has added $10,000 requested by the St. Lawrence County Chamber in its tentative budget, which will be presented Wednesday.
"Have you gotten your responses back as far as when they're going to be helping to pay?" she asked.
Dixon said the town of Louisville "has declined to support it at this time," and that discussions were still taking place with the village of Massena.
"The village has not really had any further discussion on it at this point," he said. "I believe I'm on their agenda for their Oct. 17 meeting."
St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce members had overwhelmingly approved the mergers between the county, Canton, Massena and Ogdensburg chambers in August. The merger had previously been approved by chamber members in Canton, Massena and Ogdensburg.
State regulations require that nonprofits like the chamber require the vote of 10% of the active membership of each organization, and two-thirds of those who have cast a ballot to vote in favor of the merger.
"The membership of all four of the chambers involved, St. Lawrence County, Canton, Ogdensburg and Massena, have all voted approval of the mergers. So, that is a really exciting milestone in this effort and we're thrilled by that," Dixon said. "The mergers do not become legally official until the Department of State puts their stamp of approval on our certificate and plan of merger."