Chamber survey shows business confidence is slightly down

By JOE LoTEMPLIO
Staff Writer

March 01, 2008 04:00 am

— PLATTSBURGH -- Results from the 12th-annual Plattsburgh/North Country Chamber of Commerce survey show that business confidence in the area is slightly down from previous years.
But it still enjoys a relatively high rating compared with the rest of the state and the nation.
The survey showed that owners feel their business will continue to grow or remain steady at a rate of 90 percent.
The previous three years, the figure was 92 percent.
Chamber President Garry Douglas said that given the economic uncertainty of the country, the chamber results are not that bad.
"With all the gloom out there, I'm surprised it didn't pull that number down even more," Douglas said at a news conference Friday morning.
"I think that is a testament to our members. They are thoughtful and not giving a knee-jerk reaction."
TAXES, HEALTH INSURANCE
The chamber surveyed about 3,000 of its members in late January and early February. About 21 percent responded.
The top issues at the state level were health-insurance costs and property taxes.
Douglas said businesses are hoping that property-tax-relief efforts won't hamper commercial enterprises.
He said programs such as STAR have been a failure.
"STAR gave residential owners some relief, but it ended up shifting the burden to businesses," Douglas said.
On the federal level, the lead issues were the border and health insurance.
Of those surveyed, 99 percent said they support policies and practices that will reduce wait times and increase fluidity at the U.S.-Canadian border.
CANADIAN BOOST
Douglas said that while the survey numbers may be down, there still appears to be strong confidence that the North Country has a bright outlook despite the national problems.
With the new Plattsburgh International Airport doing well; the announcement that Wyeth will sell its local plant to a new company, saving hundreds of jobs; and some other potential developments on the drawing board, Douglas said, there is hope.
"I believe this reflects well on the marketing and development strategies in the area."
Douglas also said the resurgence of Canadian visitors to the area will also boost business.
"There are strong indications that this summer we will see even more of that."
SENATE MAKEUP
The chamber has been very active with state and national leaders in recent years, lobbying for policies that will improve the local business climate.
Douglas said the possibility that Democrats could take over the State Senate, which would give them control over the three branches of state government, would not deter the chamber's efforts.
Observers have noted that Democrats might not be willing to pay as much attention to upstate issues as Republicans have over the years.
Democrat Darrel Aubertine won a surprise victory over Republican Will Barclay in this past Tuesday's special election for the Senate seat in the 48th District in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties.
Aubertine's win cuts the Republican majority's margin to 32-30.
"We make a concerted effort to leave elections to the voters," Douglas said. "It's not for us to assess who is better in Albany. We will continue to work with whoever is there to make things better for the North Country."
jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com

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