Hello BVA board members and supporters:

Today BVA had the honor of joining staff and board members from Sidney Federal Credit Union (SFCU), the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce, and other community members to celebrate the official opening of the. SFCU Morris branch. This was a great moment in BVA history that should be celebrated, especially amidst so much social-political division in our country. 

Please join me in honoring the BVA board and community members who volunteered on the Save Our Bank Committee. I was so inspired at those meetings, still new to the community, listening and learning from everyone engaged in the process of preventing a banking desert in the Butternut Valley. What a model for community engagement and activism focused on benefitting everyone in the Valley!

In my professional life advocating for public policy change, it could take a decade or more to see a bill go from a need to introduction, debate, committee votes, floor votes, and signature by the governor or president. By contrast, this process was remarkably quick and successful. BVA should stand tall and proud on this achievement, which will also provide a great example of what this organization can achieve to our new executive director. 

Congratulations everyone!

Jason Cianciotti

$1000 stipend

plastic-art@butternutvalleyalliance.org

Use this link to obtain free ticket at eventbrite

Our Spring 2025 Newsletter is available now at the link below.

June 2025 BVA Newsletter

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GlasserA@tiogacountyny.gov

A press release from the Sidney Federal Credit Union with news about opening an office in Morris, NY.

Recordings of the meeting held at the Morris Firehouse on May 23, 2024 are available at the link below.

Youtube Recording of Meeting

BVA task force rescues banking services for Morris and the Butternut Valley

After six months of research, organizing, strategizing and negotiating, the Butternut Valley Alliance has announced a partnership with Sidney Federal Credit Union.  SFCU will now take the necessary measures to open a full-service branch in Morris. This development comes as a result of proactive steps taken by the “Save Our Bank” task force, guided by BVA board members and including several concerned residents.

SFCU will now apply to the New York State Department of Financial Services for designation as a Bank Development District.  This designation will make the branch opening financially feasible and will also allow municipalities to bank with the credit union.

While the BDD process can take 6 to 12 months, SFCU plans to begin offering limited services in the very near future by appointing a business development representative to assist businesses and residents in opening accounts. Opening a temporary field office is a possibility.

To reestablish banking services based in the Village of Morris, the Save Our Bank task force sent a statement of need to more than 15 financial institutions to explore their interest in expanding operations to the Butternut Valley. Requests for proposals were sent to the three institutions that responded favorably.

“In the end, it came down to a choice between two credit unions both of whom were able to meet the needs of Butternut Valley residents, businesses and municipalities," said Ed Lentz, BVA chair and member of the task force. "It was a tough choice, but we ultimately decided that, on balance, and taking into account the local name recognition of SFCU, partnering with SFCU was the best decision for our community at this time."

“We look forward to serving the residents of the Butternut Valley and welcoming them to experience of how SFCU is making banking easier,” said SFCU CEO Jim Reynolds, adding that SFCU is currently one of the fastest growing credit unions in New York, with a membership of more than 70,000 customers and assets totaling more than $980 million. 

Headquartered in Sidney, NY, SFCU is a full-service financial institution. SFCU membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Essex, Fulton, Hamilton, Madison, Montgomery, Onondaga, Otsego and Schoharie counties and portions of Broome, Oneida and Herkimer counties.  More information on SFCU can be found at www.sfcuonline.org.

Teresa Winchester

 465 Chicken Farm Road

 Otego, NY 13825

 land line - 607.783.2064

cell - 6

If you couldn't make it to the meeting

you can still watch it on Youtube at the link below.

Mills III: Leatherstockings and More.