MASSENA, N.Y. -- Community representatives from Cornwall, Massena and the Akwesasne Mohawk Tribe met on Tuesday. The meeting was intended to put pressure on authorities to find a mediator and to seek a resolution to the bridge closure, however, it is believed that the main players for conflict resolution were absent.

"The parties who met have sort of been on the sidelines cheerleading to try to find a resolve to this issue since it began," said Scott Armstrong from the Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce.

Those cheerleading chants will continue. The Massena Chamber of Commerce says it will not sit back and wait for a resolution.

"We are going to craft a letter to our Senators here, from the Chamber of Commerce, so we are being very proactive in trying to get this closure ended," said Michael Gleason from the Massena Chamber of Commerce.

As the bridge closure drags on, community members say businesses are at risk of losing loyal customers.

David Staddon, Director of Public Information for the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe warned, "It is five or six times more expensive to go out and get new customers than it is to maintain your current customer base."

Gleason believes some businesses won't make it to see the bridge reopened. He estimates just under $5 million in losses for the Cornwall, Massena and Akwesasne communities combined.

Armstrong says, "This has created an economic crisis for our region at a time when we are least able to defend ourselves."

Due to an upcoming election and the possibility of new leadership on the reservation, Armstrong believes a resolution will remain at a standstill, for now.

In an effort to open dialogue and resolve the impasse at the Seaway International Bridge, a new community website has been created. For more information, visit www.openourborder.com .