If you’ve driven through Binghamton, you’ve seen their work.
3i Graphics and Signs is one of the largest providers of visual solutions in
Broome County and services clients as far away as Ithaca and beyond. I met with
Eric Olsen and Nick Taro of
3i to discuss their business and why they feel that Binghamton is the place to
be.
“We don’t just provide graphics and signs,” said Eric, “we
work closely with the customer to provide solutions that make them look as good
as possible with the resources they have.” With the help of their in house
design and fabrication teams, 3i can make anything from banners and trade show
posters to illuminated signs. They have worked closely with Binghamton
University, Lockheed Martin, BAE, Twin River Commons, and the City of
Binghamton.
Since they acquired the business in 2011, Eric and Nick have
seen their business expand. “It just keeps getting better. Binghamton is
growing and we are growing, albeit slowly, too,” said Eric, “Binghamton is less
volatile and has a lower cost of living than other places, which makes it
easier to do business.”
Nick and Eric also praised the assistance they have received
from community organizations “the Department of Planning Housing and Community
Development at City Hall and the Downtown Binghamton Business Association have
made it easy to do business here,” Eric said, “if you have a problem you can
talk to someone and they say ‘I have the same problem’ and then you figure it
out together.”
Nick believes that as business owners, they have a
responsibility to their customers, their community, and their employees. “We
have 10 employees, and some of them have been with us for more than 10 years,”
he said, “we’ve tried to create an open atmosphere where everyone can share
their ideas comfortably and feel recognized for them.” This atmosphere has
helped 3i attract and retain a talented team that have come from as far away as
Oklahoma to be a part of the company .
And what do Eric and Nick see for the future of Binghamton?
“Binghamton has great potential. We’d like to keep hearing people tell a good
story, to keep the communication going. That’s how good things will happen.”
