Your BottomLine Text Version
SeaComm Business Newsletter
1st Edition - Spring 2025
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: The Inn at Gran View
Finding a locally owned hotel that has stood the test of time may not be easy, but in our own backyard, and nestled along the shores of the mighty St. Lawrence River stands The Gran-View, which is celebrating its 80th year of operation. For decades, people have stopped at The Gran-View, located along Route 37 just south of Ogdensburg, to stay, eat, and celebrate life’s milestones, and for 79 of those 80 years, it was owned by the Williams Family.
The Gran-View started as a simple hot dog stand by Louis Williams, Sr., and his wife, Tina. Soon, they decided to build a resort with the goal of providing the North Country with a high-quality place to stay. Their son, Louis Jr., and his wife, Claire, decided to purchase the business in 1982 from his parents, and further developed the resort. It soon became a favorite spot for local businesses to hold meetings, families to gather for weddings, and for couples to have a romantic getaway.
In 2024, the Williams Family made the decision to entrust the legacy of The Gran-View to new owners: United Helpers. For the management team of United Helpers, which had been primarily focused on elder care, rehabilitation, and behavioral health services, bringing The Gran-View under its stewardship, was embraced as an adventure. Vice President of Operations Kathy Race explained, “The Gran-View is something new for us and is and another way to help the community.”
Under United Helpers, The Gran-View will continue to host large events, taking advantage of its spectacular setting and views of the St. Lawrence River, while focusing on continuing to provide the same amazing service to guests of the hotel and restaurant.
Stacey Cannizzo, United Helpers Chief Operating Officer, said that she wants to ensure the mission of The Gran-View remains grounded in family, community, and happiness while under United Helpers’ ownership, and that the quality of service would be maintained.
New General Manager Meghan Flood knows the impact of The Gran-View goes beyond the guests spending a few nights at the hotel. “Being a local kid, it’s pretty special being part of the legacy and quality of the Gran-View,” she said. “Probably one-third of my generation of local kids worked here at some point. By providing hospitality services and employing local residents, The Gran-View’s legacy encompasses the positive impact it has had on the economy and community.”
Continuing to highlight the resort’s location along the St. Lawrence will remain a priority. Assistant Director of Corporate Services Jordan Downing-Duke said, “The Gran-View is a beautiful place to enjoy the North Country. We have the most beautiful sunsets almost every night.”
Having the right financial partner to help navigate a business transition of this scale is critical. Cannizzo shared that her experience with Senior Vice President of Lending Operations & Risk Management Sherry Thompson made the process much easier. “It’s been an amazing journey with SeaComm,” she said. “Communication with Sherry was excellent and she was very understanding. Having people from a local financial institution who care deeply about the community made it that much better. I was pleasantly surprised that President and CEO Scott Wilson even called me after the transition to ask how things were going. I’ve never had a CEO reach out like that before.”
As United Helpers continues the legacy of the Williams Family, they are working to ensure that the community can count on The Gran-View for events, weddings, a great dinner out, or the perfect place to put up your out-of-town guests.
Contact the Gran-View for hotel or dinner reservations at (315) 393-4550 or visit them online at www.granviewogdensburg.com
Tap and Go Coming Soon
Coming soon, SeaComm’s debit and credit cards will feature a contactless payment option for simple and secure transactions. Tap & Go gives your card greater fraud protection because each transaction is accompanied by a one-time code. This means that unlike cash, tapping to pay provides an electronic record of your purchases.
Business Manager's Notebook
Simple Ways to Make Managing Your Business’s Money Easier
If it seems like there’s never enough time in the day to get everything done, there are tools available to business owners that can automate some of your basic money management functions. That way, you can spend more time and energy on growing your business without worrying about making sure bills get paid and that you have enough funds to operate.
Take advantage of Electronic Bill Pay – See all of your bills in one convenient location and then schedule payments or manage your invoices based on their due dates. No need to write checks or buy stamps because Electronic Bill Pay does all that work for you.
With Electronic Bill Pay you can:
- Schedule payments and manage accounts based on payment due dates
- Schedule payments in advance
- Pay multiple bills from one screen
- Schedule regular payments to be issued automatically
- Review pending payments and payment history
- Email SeaComm with questions
Manage Accounts on the go with Access Digital – Utilize SeaComm’s Mobile App to monitor your accounts, track transactions, and initiate payments remotely. This real-time access to financial data empowers you to make informed decisions and manage cash flow efficiently. You can even deposit checks into your account, right from the App, saving you the time it would take to visit your local branch.
Review your Credit Card Processor – It’s important to review your credit card processor contract every year to make sure you are getting the best deal. POS systems are always changing, and you want to make sure you have a partner who will look out for you and your business. Reach out to our Member Business Lending Officer or your local Branch Manager for more details.
If managing your money online seems daunting, it doesn’t have to be! We’re here to help walk you through how to use all of these tools, making sure that you get the most out of your relationship with SeaComm.
*To sign up for electronic bill payment or to learn more, simply contact a Financial Service Representative at 1 (800) 764-0566 or stop in at any SeaComm location.
Locations
Massena Branch
30 Stearns Street
Massena, NY 13662
Joanne Langdon, Branch Manager
Potsdam Branch
6 Sisson Street
Potsdam, NY 13676
Ashley Allen, Branch Manager
Malone Branch
3349 Route 11
Malone, NY 12953
Christine Marshall, Branch Manager
Canton Branch
101 East Main Street
Canton, NY 13617
Elizabeth Holliday, Branch Manager
Ogdensburg Branch
3001 Ford Street Extension
Ogdensburg, NY 13669
Megan Spoon, Branch Manager
Plattsburgh Branch
139 Smithfield Blvd
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Morgan Smart, Branch Manager
South Burlington Branch
1680 Shelburne Rd
So. Burlington, VT 05401
Nicole Sumner, Assistant Branch Manager
Watertown Branch
20565 State Route 3
Watertown, NY 13601
Jess Roach, Branch Manager
Essex Branch
125 Carmichael Street
Essex, VT 05452
Joseph Feltz, Branch Manager
Business Development
Jerry Manor
Business Development Representative
jmanor@seacomm.org
800-764-0566 ext. 546
Christina Smutz
Member Business Loan Officer
csmutz@seacomm.org
800-764-0566 ext. 510
SeaComm
30 Stearns St
Massena, NY 13662
800-764-0566
seacomm.org