ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce welcomed more than 100 new members during its Dec. 4 mixer, filling the room with both familiar and new faces.

Sunshine Swim Center hosted the chamber event at its center located in the Elk Grove Shopping Center, with sponsorship from BMO Bank.

Chamber board chair Amy Labowitch, who served as master of ceremonies, told attendees that the large turnout reflected a new partnership between the chamber and the city. Through a grant supported by that partnership, the chamber launched in October a program that offers free first-year memberships to eligible new businesses.

Elk Grove Office of Economic Development Director Darrel Doan expanded on that collaboration, explaining that funding for the effort stems from voters’ approval of Measure E, the one-cent sales tax measure passed two years ago. He credited the community for making the initiative possible.

“This doesn’t happen without the leadership of our city council, without the leadership of our businesses and without the leadership of our residents in our community…” Doan said at the Dec. 4 mixer.

He also noted that the Office of Economic Development provides several programs designed to support small businesses, as part of the city’s mission to attract and retain local enterprises, which new members can use as a resource for their businesses.

Among the new members recognized at the mixer was Valeria Arrieta, owner of Whispers Pet Sitting Services. Her business offers drop-in visits, dog walking, house sitting and pet taxi services.

 

Pictured are new members of the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce at the New Member Mixer on Dec. 4. 

“Our goal is to keep peace of mind to all pet owners in our community and surrounding areas of Elk Grove, making sure that their pets are in safe hands while they’re away,” said Arrieta.

Arrieta, who launched her business in February, said she had attended a chamber mixer earlier in the year but delayed becoming a member due to cost. The chamber’s new program made the decision to join easy.

“I think many businesses that are new and just starting don’t have a lot of capital, so it’s just like the perfect opportunity to start,” she said.

For new members seeking more information about chamber benefits, the chamber offers a Membership 101 orientation via Zoom at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. Details are available at elkgroveca.com.