GREENE – Wondering what sets Greene apart from other municipalities in Upstate New York? You need look no further than the village’s thriving downtown area to find the answer.
Genesee Street, the village’s main thoroughfare, is dotted with an eclectic mix of eateries, small shops and hometown businesses. Add in a long list of community centered events, attracting both locals and tourists, and you have the epitome of small town life.
The annual Home Town Holidays celebration, featuring caroling and the village’s tree lighting, is a prime example.
“It was so Norman Rockwell,” cooed Deb Eggleston, co-executive director of the event’s sponsor, the Greater Greene Chamber of Commerce.
Eggleston, who also organizes an annual craft fair with her husband Joe who the other half of the GGCC executive team, said events such as these help inspire and renew a sense of community among participants.
Other large events, which draw a crowd from near and far each year, include the Greene Apple Fest and a Labor Day event steeped in tradition.
“The Labor Day Picnic is in its 90th year on the Ball Flats,” said Marcia Miller. The Greene native and long-time village trustee is finishing up her first term as village mayor. Her family has run a booth at the event for more than fifty years and her husband, Byron, chairs the event committee.
According to Eggleston, none of the events would be possible without “the coordination and help of many volunteers.” The events may be sponsored by one or two organizations, but it takes the entire community to make them a success. Each one has a host of groups, businesses, churches and student groups pitching in to make them happen.
According to the mayor, the strong sense of community contributes to attracting businesses. And local support keeps them thriving, especially in the early months of the year when there are fewer visitors to the area.
“We’re a friendly, nice place to live and work,” said Miller.
The GGCC works hard to keep the downtown area quaint and charming through the entire year. The business organization purchased holiday decorations for the village this year and in the past they have raised money for the welcome banners which adorn each light pole.
One of the GGCC’s annual efforts is to enlist the support of downtown merchants to fill flower baskets during the spring and summer months. Each year the business chip in a certain amount to fund the beautification project.
“We’re very thankful for that, they are very supportive,” said Eggleston.
The local chamber strives to helps businesses market themselves and creates networking opportunities throughout the year. In addition to holding their Annual Dinner and Golf Tournament as usual, the GGCC plans to increase the number of business after hours events to four in the coming year. A Mardi Gras event, which will serve as a fundraiser, is in the works as well.
The Egglestons, who took over the operation of the business group a year ago, make an effort to visit and recognize all of their members. They plan to redouble those efforts in the coming year.
The involvement of the GGCC is one of the things that, along with the ambiance and a stellar school system, attract businesses to Greene. But there is also another reason why so many businesses decide to call the village home.
“I think our utility costs have a lot to do it,” Miller explained. The village is one of only two municipalities in Chenango County with a municipal electric department. As a result, residents pay roughly a third of what NYSEG customers pay for their electric power.
Whatever the reason, downtown shops in the village continue to thrive. And this year, like most others, there have been a few additions to the street.
“We’ve got some new businesses, which is always exciting,” reported Miller. Included in the influx of new ventures is the Village Bakery & Cafe, a non-profit clothing bank and The Good Bag, a gourmet food shop.
There is one property the Mayor would like to see revitalized: The historic Sherwood Inn.
Located at 25 Genessee Street in Greene, the Sherwood Inn stands on the site of the Chenango House, which was destroyed by fire in 1905. The current structure was heavily damaged again by fire in 1962, after which it stood empty for twenty years. The hotel was renovated and reopened once again in 1982.
The Greene landmark closed its doors once again in the spring of last year and went into foreclosure. In October, the property was sold at auction on the steps of the Chenango County courthouse to the National Bank of Delaware County in Walton, the lending institution which commenced the foreclosure proceedings the prior year.
A sale is pending on the property, reported Miller. She said she has heard the potential buyer plans to run the hotel side of the business and lease the restaurant operation. The parties involved were originally scheduled to close in December, the mayor said, but failed to do so. It has reportedly been rescheduled for some time this month.
“It will be good to get it open and active again,” Miller said.
Like most municipalities, Greene faces budgetary challenges in the coming year.
“The goal for the new year is to keep the tax rate down and still provide the services we do,” the mayor said.
As sales tax revenues the village receives out of the county’s collective pot make up between 12 and 14 percent of the municipality’s annual budget, Miller is encouraging people to shop locally more than ever. While she would, of course, like to see residents supporting village businesses, she encourages them if they can’t, to at least stay in the county.
“As long as you are buying here in Chenango County, we still get the benefit,” she explained.
Will the village meet its goal of keeping the tax rate low while maintaining services offered?
“We’re optimistic,” said Miller.