The last iteration of the Ventnor Business Association included an educational series for business owners.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
VENTNOR – More than 30 businesses were represented at an exploratory meeting Monday, Nov. 8 at North Beach Café & Creamery to determine if a new business association is possible in Ventnor.
The city has had business associations in the past, but after a few years, energy waned. This time, business owner Brenda Dowd of Makt Arts provided the impetus to form a new association. She organized the meeting, which was well attended.
“We had a great turnout, way more than I expected,” she said Monday afternoon.
Dowd said the group discussed various ways to support and boost business in the city’s five business districts.
“We’ll need to build a board and develop some priorities,” she said.
A local attorney has stepped up to help the group obtain 501c(3) designation. An email list of interested business owners is being compiled.
“There were a lot more business owners who expressed interest but couldn’t attend the meeting,” she said.
Dowd said she was made an administrator on the former Ventnor Business Association Facebook page, which is a private group at this time. The Facebook page can be a central location for communicating with business owners, she said. It will be made a public page once things get rolling.
“Right now, we’re just an idea,” she said.
Ventnor Commissioners Lance Landgraf and Tim Kriebel attended the breakfast meeting to offer support for the effort.
“They said they are willing to collaborate with us,” Dowd said. “It was all very positive.”
Dowd said the biggest takeaway from the meeting was interest in developing a business map that can also be digital. The group also discussed developing a calendar to promote businesses and events.
“It will take us actually doing something to build up our membership,” she said. “Of course, it will have to be on a shoestring budget.”
At this point, Dowd is interested in hearing from business owners about how their strengths can help support the association.
“We should look in-house before we approach an outside organization for help,” she said.
There are no meetings scheduled at this time, but Dowd said she has “messaged” a local restaurant to determine interest in conducting a meet and greet event.
For more information about joining the effort, contact Brenda Dowd at 609-796-2397.
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