New York Central Mutual in Edmeston has changed its logo and added a business initiative.
The company's new logo is ``NYCM Insurance'' with a train, and is part of an effort to enhance visibility and relations with customers, said Mark Grygiel, assistant vice president for New York Central Mutual.
Previously, the logo had different trains and different colors, he said.
Grygiel, vice chairman of the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce, said NYCM Insurance introduced its logo and sponsored the chamber breakfast at the Holiday Inn in Oneonta on Tuesday.
NYCM Insurance is among the top 10 largest writers of personal insurance in New York state, with more than $450 million in written premiums, Grygiel said. The firm sells automobile, homeowners, personal umbrella, business owners and landlord policies.
The new logo and rates revised to be competitive are designed to increase business, he said. The logo was introduced to agents and employees in April and will be presented to customers in July.
Woman to serve on policy panel
A Sidney businesswoman is set to influence public policy.
Dawn Rivers Baker, president and chief executive officer of Wahmpreneur Publishing Inc., has been named to the executive advisory board of Women Impacting Public Policy, a national, nonprofit, bipartisan women's business group, a media release said.
Baker, who is knowledgeable about microbusinesses, will provide advice on increasing the impact of women business owners at the federal legislative and executive levels, the WIPP release said.
She writes, edits and publishes four media properties, and was named 2003 Small Business Journalist of the Year by the Syracuse District of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
``In today's quickly changing businesses environment, it is increasingly important that the nation's 10.1 million women entrepreneurs have a role in the political process,'' Baker said in the release.
WIPP was founded in 2001.
Museum expands display space
The Northeast Classic Car Museum in Norwich has opened an additional 30,000 square feet of space to display vehicles. More than 300 members, exhibitors and guests attended a grand opening of the new exhibition space May 15, according to a media release. The exhibit space has a limited-time display of antique tractors.
The additional building, which adjoins existing museum buildings, was donated by Harold Ray. The building, formerly the site of the Bennett-Ireland company, was renovated, and a section is dedicated to the manufacturing firm. The Chenango County Historical Society has helped with displays.
The museum also has an exhibit featuring postwar vehicles from 1946 to 1967.
The museum is at 24 Rexford St. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. For more information, call 334-AUTO.
Cookie maker, shop team up
Straws & Sweets, a candy and gift retailer on Cooperstown's Main Street, is selling more baseball gifts and treats made by the Cooperstown Cookie Co.
Gail McManus, owner of Straws & Sweets, said a move to a larger store at 81 Main St. enabled her to feature more Cooperstown Cookie Co. products.
"I thought the added exposure would be good for both of us," McManus said in a recent media release. ``We're excited."
"We are pleased to have a permanent Main Street presence,'' Cooperstown Cookie Co. founder and President Pati Drumm Grady said in a prepared statement. The business sells all-natural baseball cookie favors, tins and baseball gift towers.
Straws & Sweets is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
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To suggest a business story, announce a new business or changes to an existing one, send an e-mail drichardson@thedailystar.com or call Denise Richardson at 432-1000 or (800) 721-1000, ext. 213.
