UTICA — The Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce will be moving its office on Jan. 1 to the Landmarc Building (formerly the HSBC Bank Building) at 118 Columbia St.
Its current office is located just down the block at 200 Genesee St.
“This is really back to the future,” says Meghan Fraser, the chamber’s executive director. “The Utica Chamber used to own and operate this building, and now we are returning. The move was prompted by our need for not only additional space but also space that was more conducive for hosting more member meetings and events.
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The chamber has leased 2,600 square feet in the Landmarc. The term is for five years.”
The city had foreclosed on the property for non-payment of taxes. The Pezzolanella family bought the building in 2013 for $1,000 and projects it will have invested more than $6 million in the 72,000-plus square-foot structure, which includes parking and amenities. Dominic Pavia, of Pavia Real Estate Services, is the listing broker; he describes it as “a marquis building in downtown.”
Current tenants include Galaxy Communications and Express Employment Professionals on the first floor, loft apartments on the second and third floors, and Ocean Blue Restaurant and Oyster Bar on the fourth floor. The Greater Utica Chamber will occupy space on the first floor along with a law firm and the other announced tenants.
Fraser joined the chamber in November 2014 as the director of membership and events, following a 7.5-year stint with F.X. Matt Brewing Co. as the marketing director. She assumed the role of executive director at the chamber on Aug. 10 of this year. Fraser replaced Pamela Matt, who left earlier in the year to become executive director of the Young Scholars program at Utica College.
Fraser sees both opportunities and work ahead for herself and the Greater Utica Chamber.
“The chamber is known for its benefit programs, networking opportunities, and legislative advocacy,” asserts Fraser. “Our mission is to have a positive impact on commerce and to promote economic growth. This area is experiencing a … [rebirth] that is attracting not just visitors but also new businesses. We need to reach out to them and let them know what the community offers in the way of education, training, local suppliers, promotional opportunities, and the quality of life. I am passionate about promoting the Greater Utica area.”
With her background in marketing and connections in the business community, Fraser has already begun encouraging the 880 member firms to increase their participation in chamber activities and to collaborate more with each other. She plans to hire two more staff to support the chamber’s endeavors. “I am focused on member needs,” avers the new executive director. “I think we need to improve and increase our communications efforts to emphasize what this organization does in the community, the benefits we offer, and the multiple services that are available. Our membership is growing, and we need to ensure that it is sustainable.”
Fraser has retained FosterMartin, an interactive-marketing firm located in Utica, to help improve the chamber’s communications, marketing, and advertising.
Fraser’s emphasis on communications goes beyond her members and Utica. “I believe in collaboration and establishing best practices,” adds Fraser. “We would like to work more closely with the area chambers, and we also partner with CenterState CEO in Syracuse, which administers our benefits program. Economic growth will come through regional cooperation, and we hope to strengthen our partnership to achieve this common goal.”
Fraser sees the Greater Utica Chamber as a magnet to attract and help the business community. “I know I sound like a broken record, but this region has a huge opportunity,” Fraser enthuses. “We need to focus on that like a laser.”
Fraser is a Whitesboro native. She graduated from SUNY Oswego with a major in English. She started her career at F.X. Matt in 2007.
