News from the Noteworthy from the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce

Locals: ‘Wake Up and Smell the Coffee’

This is the season we have been waiting for. After months of arctic deep freeze, snow shoveling and window scraping, we have emerged from winter’s tunnel into the bright light of summer. Yes, it’s summertime in Otsego County and we can all take the time to breathe, relax, and enjoy.

Fresh off the Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial kickoff of summer, the breezes are warm, the trees are in full foliage, and the smell of freshly-mown lawns enters through our open windows. These days are the reason we chose to move back to Otsego County. Of all the places our family has lived, this area was by far our favorite. We are all blessed to live here, in nature’s beauty. We have clean waterways, gorgeous lakes, rolling hills full of wildlife and breathtaking valleys that stretch deep into the distance. What’s not to like, right?

Well, it may depend on who you ask.

To some, the benefits of summertime in Otsego County listed above take a back seat to other things that come to our communities as regular as the seasons. “The traffic is horrible!” “I can’t get a hotel room anywhere.” “Kids are everywhere!” “I can’t get a table at the diner.” “Fireworks? Again?”

Sound familiar? (Frowny, red-faced emoji time).

As someone who has lived nearly everywhere, I would like to say something out loud to those who choose to see only inconveniences inside this county-wide community. Please, wake up and smell the coffee. It’s wafting on the breeze from the successful java shop on the corner. The traffic comes from hundreds of thousands of people that trek across the country, and even the world, to be here in our home county for a few days. And yes, they bring their kids, their cars, dogs, grandparents and their infectious enthusiasm for our communities, our traditions, our destinations, and our natural beauty. Yes, they take up parking spaces, hotel rooms and restaurant tables everywhere you look. In my opinion, there is just one thing we can say to these folks in our midst for the next three months: “Welcome to our community.”

Because our honored guests are just that: guests. And while we graciously host these folks, remember what these individuals mean to our local economy. Just one baseball camp, Cooperstown All Star Village in the Town of Oneonta, brought over $90 million of financial impact to Otsego County in 2023. Add in other, similar facilities—the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Brewery Ommegang, our local colleges, our parks and camping/hiking areas—and they combine to be the economic lifeblood of our region.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce is working hard to help generate other types of businesses that will impact this county all year long. Businesses that will generate more jobs, more taxes and more housing. This is a long-term plan for everyone. But while we are where we are, don’t forget to smell the coffee. First one’s on me.

Sean Lewis is president and chief executive officer of the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce.