Entrepreneur and nonprofit leader Lauren Kunz Chateauneuf is drawing attention to the gradual erosion of local support systems in communities across upstate New York and the direct consequences for residents. With decades of experience running local businesses and leading a regional animal rescue, she observes that the effects of community disinvestment are already visible in daily life.
"When people stop showing up locally, the impact is immediate," Chateauneuf said. "You feel it in small businesses, volunteer groups, and families who rely on those systems staying strong." Across Monroe County and the surrounding region, small businesses and nonprofits face mounting pressures from rising costs, staffing shortages, and declining volunteer participation. Key indicators illustrate the scope of the issue. Small businesses constitute over 99% of businesses in New York State, yet many report thinner profit margins than pre-2020 levels. In Monroe County, nearly half of nonprofit organizations operate with fewer than five full-time staff members, increasing their dependence on volunteers.
Local animal rescues across upstate New York report intake levels that remain 20–30% higher than pre-pandemic norms, while foster capacity has declined. Furthermore, more than 60% of consumer spending in the region now goes to non-local retailers, reducing the dollars that circulate within the local economy. Seasonal businesses, common in the area, report that missing one peak season can affect operations for an entire year. "These aren't abstract numbers," Chateauneuf emphasized. "They translate into shorter hours, fewer services, and more strain on people who are already stretched."
Chateauneuf's perspective is informed by hands-on involvement across multiple sectors. "Customers notice when things change," she noted. "If a business cuts hours or a rescue pauses intake, it's usually because the support system around it weakened." She compared community investment to growing trees, requiring patience and consistent effort. "You don't get results right away. Communities work the same way. If you stop investing, you don't see the damage immediately, but it shows up later." From her nonprofit work, she observes a similar pattern, stating, "You can't just talk about making a difference. You have to show up and do it, especially when resources are tight."
Chateauneuf notes that many residents want to help but are uncertain how to create lasting impact. "People think they need big gestures," she said. "Most of the time, what matters is consistency." Local businesses and organizations depend on predictable engagement, including repeat customers, steady volunteers, and word-of-mouth referrals. "You don't need to own a business to support one," she added. "You just need to choose it."
She provided a list of ten simple, realistic steps residents can take immediately. These include buying one item from a locally owned business instead of a national chain, leaving a thoughtful review for a trusted local shop or service, sharing a local business or nonprofit on social media, asking a local organization about its most urgent need, volunteering for one hour even as a one-time commitment, attending a local event or fundraiser, referring a friend to a local service provider, donating supplies if budgets are tight, being patient with short staffing or limited hours, and thanking a local business owner or volunteer directly. "Small actions add up faster than people think," Chateauneuf remarked.
For finding trustworthy local resources, Chateauneuf recommends looking for organizations with a visible local presence and clear leadership, inquiring about their tenure in the community and whom they serve, checking if they publish updates or reports on their work, talking directly to volunteers or customers, and prioritizing groups that demonstrate consistency over hype. "Trust comes from transparency and time," she said. "If something has been here for years, there's usually a reason."
Her message is straightforward: communities remain strong only when people actively participate. She encourages residents not to wait for the perfect moment but to choose one local action today and repeat it. "That's how momentum starts," Chateauneuf concluded. For more information on local business and nonprofit dynamics, visit https://www.24-7pressrelease.com.
