… for making our area a great destination!

November is a time of year where, in the U.S., we typically will take some time to step back and think about the things for which we are thankful.  According to a CNBC 2014 cost of living report, New York State is the most expensive state to live in (up from 4th in 2013), and many small business owners will tell you that it’s also not the easiest place to operate a small business.  Working in the lodging industry in the Cooperstown area, however, does provide some amazing perks – for which we consider ourselves fortunate.

We have a great community with world class attractions that bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to our region each year.  People come to the Cooperstown area for many reasons:

• It’s a breathtakingly beautiful upstate New York location that combines rural landscapes, friendly locals and small town charm.
• Cooperstown is home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, a life destination for baseball fans from all over the globe.
• The region boasts the finest medical care facilities (one of the top 100 most integrated health systems in the nation).
• Other world-class attractions include Glimmerglass Festival, Farmers’ Museum and Fenimore Art Museum and the New York State Historical Association.
• The relative new-comers with strong followings like Cooperstown Dreams Park and Brewery Ommegang.
• Many more things like our beautiful golf courses, Fly Creek Cider Mill, local and regional art organizations and venues, Clark Sports Center.
• and the list goes on.

All of these businesses and attractions work individually to market their respective venues.  In addition, many work together to market the region through collaborative support and coordination with our regional tourism program (thisiscooperstown.com).  The marketing and ad dollars that are invested by these venues and groups therefore provide a return for all of the other businesses located in the region.

How wonderful is that?  We think it is awesome!  And so, we will take this opportunity to just say “Thanks, Cooperstown”, for the things that we might overlook sometime, but that make this a pretty special place to live and operate a small business.

Cooperstown depicted on an 1890 panoramic map; Handdrawn map of Cooperstown, New York, by L. R. Burleigh, published 1890.  Public domain.