The President and C.E.O. of the Tioga County Chamber of Commerce, Gwen Kania is on the weekly, local public affairs program, Southern Tier Close Up to reflect on her 12 years with the office.

Kania is pleased with many accomplishments in promoting the business environment in Tioga County over the past decade, including starting a Restaurant Week promotion showcasing locally-owned and operated eateries.

Kania says a number of developments turned out to be unexpected during her tenure at the agency.  She says years ago smoke shops were considered a departure from the typical merchant base but she never could have imagined the current surge in CBD shops opening around the county.

The Chamber President says the Tioga County agency faces some very different challenges from other chambers, including the neighboring Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce in Broome County, just given how small the Owego office is.  Kania and one other person are the only staff working to coordinate merchants, industry, other businesses and the government in promoting Tioga County.

Kania says she wishes for the next Chamber President more community and merchant engagement and participation in projects and for the county business community in general, an atmosphere of inclusion and cooperation among all merchants on good and bad days.

Kania leaves the Tioga County Chamber of Commerce at the end of May.

Southern Tier Close Up is heard Saturdays at  6 a.m. on 98.1 The Hawk.

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