The city of Utica is showing signs of growth, whether it's the introduction of the Utica Comets hockey team, the massive investments into Nano Utica, or the recent completion of the Utica tower. To match the spirit of the city around them, the former Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce has also made a change, rebranding itself as the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce in 2014.
Although its reach will still include Madison, Herkimer and Oneida counties, executive director Pamela Matt says the city of Utica is showing a resiliency that will help propel it into the future.
"Let me just tell you, it is a great time to be a chamber of commerce in Utica," Matt said. "For starters, there is a lot of energy. It's got the spark going, it's got everybody thinking in a positive manner and thinking positively breeds new energy.
Matt says the chamber added 100 new businesses last year. She also says the city has momentum once again.
"I don't even think it's one thing," Matt explained. "It's basically just having the confidence and know that we can do it, and I think that's what's really here. And it's with not even the people that are moving in now, but it's the people that have always been here, and they're now taking a positive re-look at their city."
She says in 2014, the chamber wants to try to reflect the city's diverse population. Later this year, the chamber will host a business showcase for minority owners to make connections within the organization.
Matt also says the chamber has already scheduled 14 new business ribbon cuttings through this month. In 2013, the chamber attended twenty the entire year.
