Carrboro Business Alliance Starts Strong with New Leadership, Priorities, and Video
 

CARRBORO, NC: The Carrboro Business Alliance (CBA) is off to a strong start in 2020 with new Leadership Council officers and members, clear priorities, and a compelling promotional video.

“The Carrboro Business Alliance is well-positioned for a strong year dedicated to promoting a more vibrant Carrboro,” said David Jessee, local commercial property owner, photographer, and Chair of the CBA Leadership Council.

LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

The CBA is governed by an eighteen-member Leadership Council with administrative support from The Chamber For a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro.

New CBA Leadership Council officers and members from top left to bottom right: Chair David Jessee, J&J Futures, photographer, and local commercial property owner; Vice Chair Rae Mosher, Carrburritos Taqueria; Martina Brooks, Atma Hotel Group and the Hampton Inn and Suites; Miles Fitch, Fitch Lumber Co.; Jason McCarter, Craftboro Brewing Depot; and Sheila Neal, Neal's Deli. 

Continuing Leadership Council members include: Scott Conary, Open Eye Café and Carrboro Coffee Roasters; Betsey Elbogen, Perch Coworking; Barbara Jessie-Black, CommunityWorx; Debra Markley, Piedmont Health; Dan Mayer, The ArtsCenter; Nathan Mills, Mills Rentals; Nathan Milian, Carr Mill Mall; Josh Moorhead, Weaver Street Market; Chrystina Elle Passanisi, Sofia's Boutique; Bridget Pemberton-Smith, Art Therapy Institute; Bill Soeters, The UPS Store in Carrboro Plaza; and Ex-Officio non-voting member Annette Stone, Economic Development Director, Town of Carrboro. Meet all CBA members.

2020 MISSION AND VISION

Going forward, the community can expect the CBA Leadership Council to drive efforts that deliver on mission: to connect members with information and customers, promote members and our community, and represent local business interests with policy makers.

Two overarching goals for 2020 are to increase CBA membership diversity (especially engage more black- and minority-owned businesses) and to promote Carrboro as a great place to eat, play, shop, and stay.

POLICY PRIORITIES

The CBA has five policy priorities for 2020, which reflect the organization’s values and policy platform, and the most urgent and important is “no net loss of publicly available parking in downtown Carrboro.”

Over the last 18 months, the CBA has advocated for long-term comprehensive parking solutions, including structured parking to meet the current and future demand while ensuring a more walkable and vibrant community. The work continues. Meet the Policy Committee members.

MARKETING PRIORITIES

In 2019, the CBA Marketing Committee brought the new brand to life with the launch of a new website, new video (“Funky Town”), and full-page ads in Chapel Hill Magazine (here and here). In addition, the Committee hosted signature events (Business After Hours and Small Business Saturday) and coordinated campaigns featuring #WeBuyLocal deals and discounts (UNC Back to School, Fall Festivals, and Carrboro Cheer).

In 2020, the Marketing Committee will prioritize the release of several new videos in partnership with I-40 Films and host several signature events and campaigns (starting this Thursday with Business After Hours). In addition, the Marketing Committee is amplifying social media (just launched a new Instagram account) and is developing a new “Visit Carrboro” website in partnership with the Carrboro Tourism Development Authority. Meet the Marketing Committee.

NEW VIDEO SERIES

The CBA Leadership Council is pleased to release the first video of the year, “This is the Carrboro Business Alliance.”

This video is part of a new video series produced in partnership with globally-recognized and locally-owned I-40 Films. The series is designed to showcase the vibrancy of Carrboro through the voice of local business owners and to target more shoppers and diners.

Future videos will feature cherished local businesses, including Weaver Street Market, Open Eye Café/Carrboro Coffee Roasters, Carrburritos, Sofia’s Boutique, Glasshalfull, and the Hampton Inn and Suites – Carrboro’s only locally-owned hotel. Each video will include interviews with business owners who discuss their values, including offering high quality products to customers, paying a living wage to employees, and reducing their environmental footprint. 

“As you can see, the CBA has many priorities, a growing roster of volunteers, and a sincere desire to keep Carrboro in the running as the hippest and most vibrant community in the mid Atlantic," said David Jessee. “We invite all local business owners and nonprofit leaders to join us in this important work.”

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

In addition to benefits for CBA members with networking, promotions, and advocacy, members also have access to the full suite of Chamber benefits, including low-cost, high-quality health, dental and prescription services through the Piedmont Health Small Business Employee Health Program, as well as lower credit card processing fees, workers’ comp coverage and more. Join now.

About the CBA: The Carrboro Business Alliance (CBA), founded in 2014 on the shared belief that "local matters," is now 100 local businesses collaborating to help Carrboro thrive. The CBA mission is to 1) connect members with information and customers, 2) promote members and the Carrboro community, and 3) represent local business interests with policy makers. Follow the CBA on Facebook, Instagram, and twitter, and join the conversation with #WeBuyLocal. 

CBA Founding Funders: The recent progress was made possible by CBA Founding Champions: Carr Mill Mall, The Chamber For a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro, and the Town of Carrboro; and CBA Founding Investors: Atma Hotel Group, Carrboro Creative, Chapel Hill Tire, Coastal Credit Union, CommunityWorx, Duke Energy, Eller Capital Partners, I-40 Films, New Media Campaigns, Weaver Street Market, and Wrenn Works.

Contact: For questions, contact Katie Loovis, Staff Support, Carrboro Business Alliance and Vice President, The Chamber For a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro, 919-967-7075 (office), 919-696-0781 (cell), KLoovis@carolinachamber.org.