Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce Newsletter March 2020 Issue | Page 28

28 - The Sparta Ambassador - March2020 Something new to serve you better! Sparta Small Business Cooperative The Sparta Downtown Cooperative and the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce Retail Services Committee have elected to combine their efforts to form a new organization with the goal of working cooperatively to develop and promote Sparta as a shopping, dining, and entertainment destination through the creation of events, shared promotions, positive business practices, and an environment which attracts patrons. While all businesses in Sparta benefit indirectly from a vibrant downtown, all area small businesses can benefit directly from working together to promote Sparta as a shopping and dining destination. All Sparta small businesses are encouraged to join and support this new venture. Membership in the Sparta Small Business Cooperative is limited to businesses with less than 50 employees locally. Annual dues for the Cooperative are $100 per year, but this cost is included in Chamber membership. All Small Business Cooperative members are expected to participate in a subcommittee or working group planning a Small Business Cooperative event or activity such as Crazy Daze, Small Business Saturday, Fall Fest, Wine Walks, Holiday Open House, or other events. The Cooperative will meet monthly, typically on the third Wednesday of each month at 8:00 AM at Ginny’s Cupboard. Mark Hellman (WESCO) has been elected chair of the Sparta Small Business Cooperative. Becky Solberg (Sparta Floral and Greenhouses) will serve as Treasurer and Reinhard Mueller (Yukon Management) is the Liaison to the Chamber Board of Directors. If you have not been receiving Downtown Cooperative email messages and are interested in participating in the new Small Business Cooperative, please contact Mark ([email protected]) or contact the Chamber office (269-4123 / [email protected]).