COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

THE LOWER NIAGARA RIVER REGION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC

LEWISTON, NY · EIN 202289969 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE S41 · Community Improvement · Small ($100K-$1M) · upwardniagara.com
revenue
$223K
expenses
$254K
net assets
$52K
employees
13
program ratio
37%
mission · from form 990

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION TO UNIFY AND PROMOTE THE NIAGARA RIVER REGION AS A PREMIERE PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK WHILE PROMOTING TOURISM, SMALL BUSINESS AND THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE AREA.

profile · synthesized from sources

The website content describes a chamber of commerce serving the Niagara River region in New York, focused on promoting local businesses, tourism, and community development. It lists member businesses in Lewiston, Youngstown, and surrounding areas, and provides local visitor information and municipal contacts. The organization operates a welcome center and supports economic growth in the region.

named programs · 2 · from sources

What they call their work

Business Directory
Online listing and promotion of local businesses across the Niagara River region
Welcome Center
Visitor information hub providing brochures, local guidance, and community resources in Lewiston, NY
activities · 12 groups

What they do

  • Community Festival & Event Production 2 activities
    • Manages community event calendar
      Operates a community calendar to connect local events and promote community engagement across the Lower Niagara River region.
    • Organizes annual community festivals and events
      Organizes multiple annual festivals including the Lewiston Jazz Festival, Harvest & Hops Festival, Smelt Festival, Niagara County Peach Festival, Lewiston Christmas Walk & Lights Parade, and GardenFest, featuring live music, artisan vendors, craft beer, parades, and family-centered activities in Lewiston and surrounding areas.
  • Business Community Advocacy 1 activity
    • Advocates for local business interests
      Represents the interests of over 300 member businesses in local economic and government affairs to support small business development and regional prosperity.
  • Health Insurance Enrollment Assistance 1 activity
    • Facilitates health insurance enrollment for members
      Provides access to a New York State licensed health insurance broker to assist chamber members with health insurance enrollment and related support.
  • Professional Networking Events 1 activity
    • Hosts business and community networking events
      Hosts networking events for businesses and community leaders to connect in a casual setting, fostering professional relationships and local collaboration.
  • Member Business Referral & Discount Programs 1 activity
    • Issues gift certificates for local businesses
      Issues gift certificates redeemable at dozens of local businesses in the Niagara River region to support economic development and promote local commerce.
  • Professional Membership and Association Benefits 1 activity
    • Offers tiered business membership program
      Offers a tiered membership model with four levels tailored to businesses at different stages of growth, providing access to networking, promotion, and business services.
  • Visitor Information and Trip Planning Services 1 activity
    • Operates regional welcome center with visitor resources
      Operates a welcome center in Lewiston, NY that provides visitor information, brochures, maps, and other resources during regular business hours, including free Wi-Fi access for visitors.
  • Local Food Market Operation 1 activity
    • Operates weekly artisan farmers market
      Operates the Lewiston Artisan Farmers Market every Saturday from June to October, 9am to 1pm, in Academy Park, Lewiston, featuring local vendors and fresh produce.
  • Outdoor Recreation Access Promotion 1 activity
    • Promotes public access to outdoor recreation sites
      Supports public access to outdoor recreation including hiking trails along the Niagara River, boat launches, swimming pools, picnic grounds, playgrounds, soccer fields, winter activities at Fort Niagara State Park, and the 29-acre Stella Niagara Preserve with riverfront access for kayaking and nature appreciation.
  • Recreational and Emotional Support Programs for Children with Serious Illnesses 1 activity
    • Provides free fishing charters for families affected by cancer
      Provides free fishing charters for children and young adults undergoing cancer treatment and their families as a community support and wellness initiative.
  • Business Member Promotion Services 1 activity
    • Provides online business directories and promotion
      Provides dedicated webpages and online resources with information about local businesses in Ransomville and Youngstown to promote regional commerce and support small business visibility.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Operates seasonal U-Pick and specialty farms
      Operates a seasonal U-Pick blueberry farm open in July and August in Lewiston, NY, and a 30-acre lavender farm in Cambria, NY with over 3,000 plants available for private and ticketed events.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$223K
Contributions & grants$143K64%
Program service revenue$2K1%
Investment income$2K1%
Other revenue$75K
expenses
Total expenses$254K
Program expenses37%
Admin / overhead63%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$194K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$128K
Cash$97K
Investments$0
Liabilities$75K
Net assets$52K
Liquid reserves4.6 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +0.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
JENNIFER PAULY PAST PRESIDENT 40 $82K
board members · 20
  • AARON DEY — Director
  • AMANDA HASELEY — President
  • BRYAN PLUNKETT — Director
  • CAROLYN MOORE — Director
  • DAVID UNVERSAW — Director
  • FRANK CAMPBELL — Director
  • JAMES FITTANTE — Secretary
  • JUSTIN TEDESCO — Treasurer
  • KARRIE GEBHARDT — Director
  • KYLE HEATH — Director
  • LISA LANNON — Director
  • MARK GALLO — Director
  • MATTHEW DICAMILLO — Director
  • MATTHEW VILLNAVE — Chairman
  • MICHAEL CUSHMAN — Director
  • MICHAEL FIORE — Director
  • SARA MORREALE LIBERALE — 1ST VICE CHAIR
  • SONIA CLARK — Director
  • STEPHANIE CATTARIN — Director
  • TOM DEAL — Director
relationships · 52

Who they work with

  • Artpark Partner — Provides trailheads for the Niagara Gorge Trails, supporting regional outdoor recreation access.
  • Bridge Commission Partner — Supports the Harvest & Hops Festival as a sponsor.
  • Catching Dreams Charters, Inc. Partner — Partner organization providing fishing adventures for children and young adults battling cancer.
  • Destination Niagara USA Partner — Collaborates on regional promotion and tourism initiatives.
  • Dimino's Lewiston Tops Market Partner — Cooperates with the Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce to host the Smelt Festival.
  • Fort Niagara State Park Partner — Collaborates on promoting outdoor recreation opportunities in the Lower Niagara River region.
  • GreenMountain Energy Partner — Supports the Harvest & Hops Festival as a sponsor.
  • Kiwanis Partner — Supports the Harvest & Hops Festival as a sponsor.
  • Lakeview Motel Partner — Accommodation provider listed by the chamber for travelers in Youngstown, NY
  • LeafFilter Partner — Supports the Harvest & Hops Festival as a sponsor.
  • Lewiston Council on the Arts Partner — Collaborates with the chamber to present the Lewiston Art Festival.
  • Lewiston Harvest & Hops Festival Partner — Co-organizes and promotes the Lewiston Harvest & Hops Festival as a joint event.
  • Lewiston Jazz Festival Partner — Co-organizes and promotes the Lewiston Jazz Festival as a joint event.
  • Lewiston Public Library Partner — Public library providing services in the region promoted by the chamber.
  • Lewiston-Porter Central School Partner — School district providing education services in the region promoted by the chamber.
  • Modern Disposal Services Partner — Presents and supports the Harvest & Hops Festival as a sponsor.
  • New York Power Authority (NYPA) Partner — Hosts the Wildlife Festival with participation supported or coordinated by the chamber.
  • New York State Assembly Government — State legislative body representing districts in the region served by the chamber.
  • New York State Senate Government — State legislative body representing the region served by the chamber.
  • Niagara County Government — Supports the Harvest & Hops Festival as a sponsor and government partner.
  • Niagara County Legislature Government — Regional legislative body representing districts in the area served by the chamber.
  • Niagara Crossing Hotel & Spa Partner — Accommodation provider listed by the chamber in Lewiston, NY
  • Niagara Physical Therapy Partner — Supports the Harvest & Hops Festival as a sponsor.
  • Niagara University Partner — Collaborates on education and workforce development initiatives.
  • Niagara University Partner — Institution of higher education located in the region promoted by the chamber.
  • Niagara Wheatfield Central School Partner — School district providing education services in the region promoted by the chamber.
  • Niagara's Lazy Lakes Camping Resort Partner — Accommodation provider listed by the chamber in Lockport, NY
  • Old Fort Niagara State Historic Site Partner — Adjacent site promoted as part of regional outdoor and historical attractions.
  • Quiet Lake Guest House Partner — Accommodation provider listed by the chamber in Youngstown, NY
  • Ransomville Business & Professional Association Partner — Collaborates to provide information about local businesses in Ransomville.
+ 22 more
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Local Market Aggregation to Strengthen Community Commerce
    methodology: local-market-aggregation
    By aggregating farmers and artisans into shared local markets, the organization supports economic resilience and community engagement because centralized access to diverse local goods increases foot traffic, vendor success, and civic pride.
  • Networked Business and Community Engagement
    methodology: catalyst_and_convenor_model
    By acting as a catalyst and convenor for businesses and community leaders, the organization strengthens local economies because structured networking and collaboration increase business visibility, trust, and collective growth opportunities.
  • Pedestrian-Oriented Event Design to Enhance Visitor Experience
    methodology: pedestrian-oriented event design
    By designing events that close streets to cars and prioritize walkability, the organization increases access to local vendors and boosts commercial engagement because safe, accessible environments encourage longer stays and greater spending.
  • Regional Unification and Promotion for Economic Vitality
    methodology: regional-unification-and-promotion
    By unifying regional stakeholders and promoting the area as a single destination, the organization enhances economic vitality, tourism, and community identity because collective branding strengthens regional appeal and drives visitation and investment.
  • Therapeutic Recreation for Youth Health and Wellbeing
    methodology: therapeutic-recreation
    By providing therapeutic fishing experiences, the organization supports psychosocial recovery in youth undergoing cancer treatment because nature-based, normalizing activities restore dignity, reduce isolation, and improve emotional resilience.