While membership in the Sonoita-Elgin Chamber of Commerce (SECC) has waned over the years, some local residents and business owners are interested in revitalizing it to once again serve as a reliable source of information for visitors to the area.
Gail Christmann, Aaron Gudenkauf, Kati Spencer, Josh Mentesana, Lori Reynolds and Matthew Richardson met recently to discuss reinvigorating the organization.
Reynolds, Sonoita Vineyards winemaker, was part of the SECC when it boasted 40-50 members. She said the difficulty the chamber faced then was continued engagement of the business community, eventually leading to its dormancy.
“There was a perceived lack of value among business members,” Reynolds said. That’s something organizers hope will be rectified with this next go-around. The SECC retains its 501(3)(c) status and a website, the latter ready for a refreshening. To view that website, click here.
But now, with the current business activity and traffic to the area, the time might be ripe to revisit a chamber presence and its mission.
An information meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, March 2, at the Bowman-Stradling History Center. The history center is located inside Pioneer Hall at the Santa Cruz County Fair and Rodeo Association, 3142 Highway 83, Sonoita.
The cost to join the chamber will be $200. Residents and businesses are not required to prepay prior to the event. Payment may be made on the day of the meeting, allowing interested parties to hear and consider what is being proposed.
“We are seeking renewed involvement from both the business community and local residents,” Reynolds said. “By working together, we can support one another and strengthen the promotion of the Sonoita–Elgin area.” To submit an electronic version of the membership application, click here.
“I consider this to be a result of local residents getting involved in community building and recognizing there is an opportunity to revive an organization that greatly benefitted the community,” Gudenkauf said.