Welcome to Genesee County!

Genesee County invites you to experience the diversity of our many attractions. Conveniently located halfway between Buffalo and Rochester, Genesee County has something for everyone in the family! Part of the spectacular Greater Niagara Region, Genesee County has three major exits off the New York State Thruway (exits 47, 48 and 48A). We are also less than an hour from Niagara Falls and the Canadian border, as well as Letchworth State Park, the Grand Canyon of the East, and fishing on Lake Ontario. From a world-class theme park, to the serene natural wonders of our National Wildlife Refuge, from culture to agriculture, Genesee County will give you an affordable and memorable adventure.

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Our Mission...

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce leads in the pursuit of creating an environment for business success, which will thereby enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Genesee County.

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is a private, not-for-profit business organization that brings together representatives of business, industry, agriculture and other organizations from throughout the county to promote a vibrant local economy. When all representatives work together, the whole community benefits. A strong economic base enhances the quality of life of all who live and work in the county.

KEY ADVANTAGES OF BEING A CHAMBER MEMBER

Health Insurance
—Discount group rates for your business and your employees.
—Several plans to choose from.

Cell Phone
—Discounted rates for you and your employees.
—Regular promotions and several plans to choose from

Free Long Distance Telephone Analysis
—Have your businesses long distance telephone bill analyzed and select the long distance company that will save your business substantial money based on your long distance needs.

Energy Services
—Deregulated natural gas and electricity discounts and services can save you money.

Internet
—Discount for full access to the Internet and World Wide Web, including e-mail and news.
—Home Pages to promote your business.

Business Services
—Educational and professional development seminars.
—Networking, business contacts and Advertising Opportunities (free & paid).

Member 2 Member Discounts
—Save money on many products and services offered by Chamber members to Chamber members and their employees.

Tourism Promotion

Influence Government and Public Policy

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In 1802, New York State established Genesee County and made Batavia the county seat. Batavia’s location at the center of the county makes it an ideal location.

Four state routes meet in the center of Batavia and connect it to metro Buffalo and Rochester: 5, 63, 33, and 98.

Two international airports in Buffalo and Rochester offer convenient air travel, as does Genesee County’s own county airport located in the town of Batavia.

Batavia’s low violent crime rate was a reason Buffalo’s Business First newspaper rated Batavia as one of the "Best Places to Live in Western New York." Safety in the City of Batavia is a by-product of good neighborhoods, an effective police force and a sense of community. Residents and businesses look out for one another.

INTERESTING BATAVIA FACTS:

•First Business Incubator in the U.S. was opened in Batavia (now named the Batavia Industrial Center).

•First Union Soldier to enlist in the Civil War was from Batavia.

•The Holland Land Office in Batavia served as the administrative headquarters of the Holland Company, and the birthplace of Western New York, where 3 million acres of land were surveyed and sold.

•John Elway, former quarterback for the NFL Denver Broncos, hit his first home run here while playing minor league professional baseball in the N.Y. Penn. League

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The Village of Bergen is located in the east-central section of the Town of Bergen, which is in the northeast corner of the county of Genesee.

The Bergen area was opened up in 1801 when a road was hacked through the thick "Northwoods" from LeRoy to Lake Ontario. A colony of 60 families from Connecticut settled the area from Fort Hill to the Black Creek from 1805-1810. This area was called Buell’s Corner, later Bergen Corners or High Bergen.

After the railroad came through in 1836, the Levi Ward family laid out an area around the intersection of Lake Road (Route 19) and the railroad for the construction of homes and businesses. The area was known by various names: Lower Bergen; Wardville, for the Ward family; and Cork, after the Irish who settled there.

These two areas, connected by residences and churches, along with the surrounding residences were incorporated in 1877 as the Village of Bergen.

The west side of the district south of the railroad is on the National Register due to its 1880 wrought iron store fronts, transom windows and because of the influence of prominent family who founded "Wardville." Some of the family went on from Bergen to the Rochester area and were also primary developers of that area.

When glaciers of the fourth ice age retreated from the northeast corner of New York State 125,000 years ago, they left behind 2,000 acres of forested wetlands now known as the Bergen Swamp. The three-mile long wildlife area is home to dozens of species of unusual birds, reptiles and rare flowers that thrive in an undisturbed, natural environment.

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