CenterState CEO acquires SyracuseFirst program

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The nonprofit SyracuseFirst is now a “fully integrated” program of CenterState CEO in Syracuse.

The two organizations had collaborated for “more than five years,” CenterState CEO said in a news release.

Under the new agreement, CenterState CEO — a Syracuse–based economic-development and business-leadership organization, and chamber of commerce — will “fully acquire” the SyracuseFirst brand, moving it from a separate membership entity to a program under CenterState CEO’s business-development portfolio.

SyracuseFirst is a nonprofit network of locally owned, independent businesses and organizations “dedicated to building a sustainable community by encouraging citizens to ‘Think Local First,’” according to its website.

“Across Central New York, small businesses are an important driver of our regional economy as they create jobs and attract investments,” Andrew Fish, senior VP of business development at CenterState CEO, said in the release. “We are excited to formally adopt the SyracuseFirst brand and to restructure the organization so we can become an even stronger advocate for independent and locally owned businesses.”

SyracuseFirst executive director Chris Fowler “has stepped aside,” according to the news release.

“Even though I will no longer be the executive director of SyracuseFirst, I am not stepping down from my commitment to small and independently owned businesses,” Fowler said. “I believe SyracuseFirst’s integration into CenterState CEO’s programming enables it to evolve and grow, which will ultimately support a more vibrant community. Regardless of what opportunities I am pursuing, I will always remain a vocal advocate for these businesses which contribute to our community’s unique identity and culture.”

Fowler is running for Syracuse mayor this fall.

CenterState CEO will establish a new steering committee “guide the future direction” of SyracuseFirst programming.

The new steering committee will also evaluate all current SyracuseFirst programs and determine ways to “enhance resources and add value” for locally-owned independent member businesses.

Founded in 2009, SyracuseFirst says its “mission is to create a thriving local economy by maximizing the potential of local businesses, and transferring market share from non-locally owned businesses to local independently owned businesses.”

SyracuseFirst and CenterState CEO in 2012 formed a legal partnership to “advance their shared goals of supporting” small and locally owned independent businesses.

Under the original agreement, CenterState CEO licensed the SyracuseFirst brand, keeping it a separate membership-based entity.

CenterState CEO, in return, provided “significant” programmatic and administrative support to SyracuseFirst

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com