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Naturally Lewis, Inc. Established Through the
Partnership of Three Local Organizations
Published: October 15, 2023
at 11:00 a.m.
By: Press Release from Naturally Lewis
Naturally Lewis, Inc. Established Through the
Partnership of Three Local Organizations
 LEWIS COUNTY, NY – The County of
Lewis Industrial Development Agency (LCIDA), and Lewis County Development
Corporation (LCDC) and the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce have created a
new partnership to lead economic development efforts in Lewis County. The
new private, not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization - Naturally Lewis, Inc.,
created over several months in2023, is a unique collaboration that will
consolidate services, staffing and resources into a one-stop shop for
economic and business development to further lead development efforts in
Lewis County, NY.
“The creation of Naturally
Lewis, Inc reflects the continued growth of our economic development and tourism
team in Lewis County” says Eric Virkler, the new Chairman of the Naturally Lewis
Inc. Board. “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.”
The mission of Naturally
Lewis is to champion the growth of a community where people want to live, work,
build business and play. We foster forward thinking and relationship building,
connecting people, businesses, partnerships, and resources to effectively and efficiently grow our county.
Naturally Lewis Inc.,
led by a new 15-person board of directors, will be tasked with leading and guiding
economic development strategy that focuses on creating a solid and sustainable
economic base by supporting practical, realistic programs and policies that
advance businesses, build community partnerships and
enhance the quality of life for Lewis County residents. The organization will
also include five staff members, including existing staff of the LCIDA and Lewis
County Chamber of Commerce.
WHY DID THIS
HAPPEN?
Hearing the needs
of the community, the LCIDA, LCDC and Chamber of Commerce 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 being
offered to the business community.
HOW DID THIS
HAPPEN?
The LCIDA, LCDC
and Chamber of Commerce boards and staff have been exploring the
feasibility of an organizational partnership since 2021. Through
communications with various stakeholders, including our business and
membership networks, staff of the organizations have worked to take the
best assets of each entity forward to the development of Naturally Lewis,
Inc.
Naturally Lewis
is funded through a combination of sources that enable us to carry out our
mission effectively. Our financial support comes from an array of channels,
including membership contributions, local government support, staff
services agreements, private donations, and grants. These resources allow
us to maintain our status as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization while
providing essential services to the Lewis County community. We are
dedicated to transparently managing our funds and ensuring that every
dollar is utilized efficiently to support local economic and business
development initiatives. By securing a stable and diversified funding base,
we can continue to be a reliable partner in driving growth and prosperity
in Lewis County.
WHAT DOES THIS
MEAN GOING FORWARD?
Naturally Lewis
is the one-stop-shop for economic and business development in Lewis County.
If you are starting or growing a business, rehabilitating a vacant space,
looking for financing solutions for a development project, seeking a
membership network, looking for creative funding solutions, and more,
Naturally Lewis is here to support you. Businesses and communities will
receive the same great support services and staff, just enhanced and even
better than before.
"Naturally
Lewis, Inc. Is the result of collaboration between organizations and
listening to the needs of our business community.” says Brittany Davis,
Executive Director of Naturally Lewis, Inc. “This unique partnership
between the LCIDA, the LCDC, and the Chamber of Commerce is driven by a
shared vision to create a thriving economy where people can live, work and prosper. Together, we’ll build stronger
relationships, build stronger communities and foster innovation to ensure a
brighter future for Lewis County.
For more
information on Naturally Lewis please visit naturallylewis.com. We look
forward to continuing our partnership with the community to build a
thriving economy.
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