FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 1, 2018
Contact Names: Jessica Erickson, Scott Cook
Organizations: Longmont Economic Development Partnership, Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce
Phone Numbers: 303-651-0128, 303-776-5295
Emails: [email protected], [email protected]
Longmont, CO: The Advance Longmont Local Small Business Advisory Committee is soliciting new applicants to join the committee in August, 2018. The Local Small Business Advisory Committee is a group of volunteer local business leaders providing input and ideas to Advance Longmont economic partners and City leadership in their efforts to support the success of Longmont’s local business community. Since its founding, the Local Small Business Advisory Committee has taken identified strategies to support the local business community, and has advised Longmont City Council as they address policy issues impacting local businesses. The committee, now jointly run as an Advance Longmont committee by both the Longmont Economic Development Partnership (LEDP) and the Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) is seeking to expand the Committee from six members to fifteen members. The primary criteria to serve on this committee is owning and operating a locally serving business based in Longmont. Committee members will also be selected by these sectors: Retail, Restaurant, Professional Services, Personal Services and the Creative Arts. In addition, the committee is seeking members from each quadrant of the city, The Village at the Peaks and the Downtown District. Within these guidelines, the current committee members are interested in adding additional expertise and voices to make the committee a diverse set of local business representatives. The application for the Local Small Business Advisory Committee is available on the LEDP’s website: www.longmont.org, and applications and the Chamber’s website: www.LongmontChamber.org. Applicants should submit an application by Friday, August 10, 2018 (5pm).
“We recognize the key contribution that local businesses make to the City’s economy, employment base and the strength of our community’s economic health. We also recognize that local business owners can face challenges in establishing, maintaining and growing their business in Longmont,” said Jessica Erickson, President of the Longmont EDP. Scott Cook, CEO, Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce added, “We are excited to partner with the LEDP to host the Local Small Business Advisory Committee. The LEDP and Chamber both have unique insights into the local business economy but we understand that the only way to support this sector of our local economy is to go to the source and engage local business leaders. Together, we can put aside current duplication of efforts and concentrate more on what the local sector needs.”
In past years, the Committee has weighed in with City Council on a variety of policy issues, including Windy Gap financing, initiatives to address the growing homeless and panhandling populations, the allowance of retail marijuana shops and affordable and workforce housing. The Committee was also the inspiration for the popular and first ever “Longmont Restaurant Week” held earlier this year, in April.
Current Local Business Advisory Committee members include: Brian Berry, MeritCard Solutions; Teresa McPhail, Mac’s Place; Ken Voss, Re/Max Commercial Division; Mark Sheeley, Rawlins National Bank; Carmen Sample, Sample Supports/Samples World Bistro/ Crystal Joys; Kevin Reddy, Golden Van Lines; Kurt Finley, Re/Max Traditions Inc., Commercial & Residential; and Clarissa Edelen, Fabulous Finds Upscale Consignment.
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About The Longmont Economic Development Partnership: The Longmont Economic Development Partnership is a public/private 501c(6) non-profit economic development organization serving the greater Longmont area. As Longmont’s primary agent for economic development, the Partnership leads a comprehensive and collaborative economic development strategy to promote and strengthen the Longmont community’s economic health. The Longmont Economic Development Partnership offers a variety of services and resources to support the relocation, retention, and expansion of business in Longmont and serves as the gateway to Longmont for all businesses.
About The Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce: The Longmont Chamber is a 130-year-old 501(c)6 organization that prides itself on being the “Voice of Business” in the St. Vrain Valley region. With a growing membership, the Longmont Chamber serves a diverse group of small and large businesses in a wide array of industries. We promote our business members’ success through leadership, events/programming, advocacy and membership.
