NORWICH – Only a small number of business, arts and cultural leaders in Chenango County have been consulted about a new iniative designed to promote the Chenango, Delaware and Otsego corridor.

And only one organization, The Earlville Opera House, has actually attended one of two meetings held by an ad hoc organization which calls itself, The Tri-County Project.

The gatherings were initiated under the guidance of the Chenango, Delaware, Otsego Workforce Investment Board and one of the district’s state senators, James Seward. The first meeting in November targeted key players in the region’s arts, humanities, museums and heritage organizations. A meeting last week was directed toward businesses.

The Tri-County Project’s mission is to identify ways to promote the three counties’ tourism attractions and cultural offerings, and by doing so, attract new businesses and bring much-needed jobs to the area. Its primary focus is to rethink the “Central Leatherstocking” brand that was given to most of the area by the “I Love New York” campaign in 1977.

CDO Workforce Development Board Director Kevin Price said invitations were extended to the Earlville Opera House and Northeast Classic Car Museum in Norwich, and representatives from Golden Artists Colors in New Berlin, Black Bear Winery in Greene and NBT Bank of Norwich were consulted.

Kay Zaia, director of the car museum, said she had planned to attend the meeting held Jan. 31 but was ill.