Chamber plans to complete move in August

    WATKINS GLEN—Remodeling work is underway at the future location of the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center.
The chamber will move from its current location at 100 North Franklin St. to 214 North Franklin St., the former site of the Seneca Lake General Store. The chamber expects the work to be completed by August.
    The chamber hired Hunt Engineers, Architects & Land Surveyors, P.C., from Horseheads to design the layout of the new chamber home right after the announcement was made last December. The original completion date was set for May; however, construction was put on hold so the chamber could select a contractor. Last week, Kermit Cutter Construction from Newfield was hired for the job.
Rebekah LaMoreaux, chamber president & CEO, said, “It’s been a long time in the making but our staff, board of directors, members and community are all very excited.”
    The chamber signed a long-term lease with store owner Jim Guild to move, while the Seneca Lake General Store relocated to the former Verizon business farther down the street. The new location will triple the space available to the chamber; the former store is 5,100 square feet. The chamber will look to offer services the current location can’t provide to visitors, like more displays, kiosks, 360 degree virtual tours of properties, and public restrooms. One option might be to host local artists and wine tastings.
    The chamber provided the Oxford Economics Company’s 2011 report entitled The Economic Impact of Tourism in New York. According to the study, tourism in Schuyler County has resulted in:
    • Travelers spend—$30,884,000.
    • Labor income—$11,931,000.
    • Local tax revenue—$1,716,000.
    • State tax revenue—$1,882,000.
    LaMoreaux previously said the chamber will look to sell the current location at 100 North Franklin St. once the offices have moved. The chamber has been looking to move to a new location for a while now; LaMoreaux said at least seven years. She explained in October of 2011, the chamber approved a strategic plan that included finding a place for the tourist center. A task force was created to take inventory of available Franklin Street properties.