LOWVILLE, N.Y. — Economic-development organizations in Lewis County have been using the phrase “Naturally Lewis” to brand their business-development efforts in the county.
Now, the groups have formed an umbrella nonprofit organization with the same mission that adopted the phrase as its name.
The County of Lewis Industrial Development Agency (LCIDA), Lewis County Development Corporation (LCDC), and the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce created Naturally Lewis, Inc., per the announcement.
It happened over several months in 2023 and is described as a collaboration that will consolidate services, staffing and resources into a “one-stop shop” for economic and business-development efforts.
“Hearing the needs of the community,” the LCIDA, LCDC and Chamber of Commerce say they “saw an opportunity” to merge resources, operations, and staff to streamline economic and business development across Lewis County to reduce duplication of efforts and provide “clear and concise messaging” on services that are available to the business community.
A new 15-person board of directors will lead the new nonprofit. The organization will also have five staff members, including existing staff of the LCIDA and Lewis County Chamber of Commerce. The new organization didn’t result in any job cuts, Kaylee Tabolt, economic & tourism-development specialist at Naturally Lewis, tells CNYBJ in an email.
“The creation of Naturally Lewis, Inc reflects the continued growth of our economic development and tourism team in Lewis County,” Eric Virkler, new chairman of the Naturally Lewis Inc. board of directors, said in the news release. “Our talented staff and dedicated board members for the LCIDA, LCDC and Chamber of Commerce work incredibly well together. This transition will ensure this cooperative approach continues. There is momentum in the Lewis County economy and Naturally Lewis, Inc. will continue to drive that momentum forward.”
Naturally Lewis is funded through a combination of sources that include membership contributions, local government support, staff services agreements, private donations, and grants, per the announcement.