*This message was sent to the full Carrboro Business Alliance on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 by Katie Loovis, staff support for the Carrboro Business Alliance. 

Dear Carrboro Business Alliance,

Two important action requests below. Please scroll down and call/email me with questions. 

Bottom line: Mark your calendar, get involved, and share this with your colleagues.  

Katie Loovis
Staff Support for the Carrboro Business Alliance
(919) 696-0781 (cell)
KLoovis@carolinachamber.org  

ACTION #1 – Mark Your Calendar for an Important Parking Discussion with the Board of Aldermen.

• What: Make your parking concerns heard with the Board of Aldermen
• When & Where: Tuesday, June 11th at Town Hall
• How: RSVP to me (Katie Loovis), arrive by 7pm, sign-in, and share your 3-minute perspective with the Board of Aldermen on parking (including challenges with the current state of parking; your concerns with any under-parked design for the 203 Project (Library); why “no net loss of parking” in Carrboro is so critical for your business and a thriving downtown; and the importance of long-term, comprehensive parking solutions).
• Background: As the design process for the future library (the 203 Project) progresses, it is important that any design replace the 100 existing spaces and appropriately accommodate the new demand created (Read CBA’s position on the 203 Project). This has been an ongoing, community-wide discussion (see details from October 2018 meeting), which culminated in a thoughtfully-worded CBA letter calling for long-term, comprehensive parking solutions in downtown Carrboro.

ACTION #2 – Make the Most of Pride Month.  

• What: All Carrboro businesses are invited to fly flags and decorate in rainbow colors or themes, offer Pride-related deals and discounts, serve special appetizers or themed drinks, feature LGBTQIA+ artists or musicians, host a LGBTQIA+ “trivia” night, make bathrooms gender-inclusive, offer gay-themed merchandise for sale, and/or dedicate a portion of proceeds to LGBTQIA+ organizations.
• When: Now and throughout the entire month of June.
• How: Share your engagement(s) with the hashtag #CarrboroPride2019 so the network can spread your news and encourage more shoppers and diners to your establishment. Contact Carrboro Town Clerk, Cathy Dorando, with any questions at (919) 918-7309 or CDorando@townofcarrboro.org.
• Fun Ideas from the Mayor: “Flaming” foods (anything fried can be a “Pride” dish, i.e. fried pickles can be “Pride Pickles”), special dishes (“Rainbow" chard), special drinks (“Harvey Milk shake” and a “Martina” rather than a martini - for Martina Navratilova).
• Background: Mayor Lavelle issued a proclamation declaring June 2019 Pride Month and sharing the significance of this year as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, which gave birth to the gay rights movement. Several town-sponsored events are already underway, and the business/community organizations are invited to take part as well.

UPDATES & OTHER ACTIONS

• Read the June Economic Development Report.
• Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
• Become a CBA Founding Champion or Founding Investor.
• Encourage others to join the CBA. 
• Register for the next Chamber Policy Forum- an economic development briefing featuring some Carrboro properties under development.