Livingston County Chamber of Commerce President Cynthia Oswald was invited to present to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Council on Small Business as part of their bi-annual meeting on November 7th and 8th, 2005. The Council meets in conjunction with the Chamber's Board of Directors' meetings. Members of the Council routinely help shape and advance the Chamber's message and strong pro-business agenda.

Giovanni Coratolo, Executive Director of the Small Business Council selected Cynthia as a participant on the guest panel, which was titled, "Small Business Recovery in the Gulf Coast."  The unique grassroots approach of Livingston County, partnering its businesses, agencies and organizations with Harrison County Mississippi, has created a "best practices" to share with others interested in a focused collaborative support effort.

Cynthia made initial contact for Livingston CARES through Berinda Logan, Gulf Coast (Harrison County) Chamber President to begin the process of identifying key people and organizations in the Harrison County. The chamber-to-chamber connection was due in part to support from the U.S. Chamber and the Mississippi Economic Development Council.

Livingston CARES, born from the concerns of college students on the SUNY Geneseo campus and brought to life by the college, county government, the coalition of churches, public schools and the Chamber. Pooling our resources and committing to a long-term effort seems to combat the feeling of helplessness in the face of such mass devastation.

For more information about programs and initiatives or how you can become a member of the Livingston County Chamber please call 243-2222 or visit our website at www.livingstoncountychamber.com . For more information on how you can be a part of Livingston CARES visit the website at http://communitycare.geneseo.edu or call Chairperson, Tom Matthews at SUNY Geneseo, 245-5857.