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New Highland‑Alpine Chamber of Commerce seeks to connect local home‑based and storefront businesses
Summary
Rob Crowley, who says he incorporated the Highland‑Alpine Chamber of Commerce earlier this year, told the Alpine City Council the nonprofit has 29 members and plans a business directory and monthly events aimed at increasing local shopping and tax revenue.
Rob Crowley, president of the newly formed Highland‑Alpine Chamber of Commerce, described the group’s goals and early growth to the Alpine City Council on March 24. Crowley said the chamber incorporated in February, secured 501(c)(6) status and had recruited about 29 members in roughly six weeks; he told council members he had identified about 100 Alpine businesses and about 130 Highland businesses for the group’s directory and outreach.
Crowley said the chamber will offer member benefits including a city‑appointed board seat and a monthly luncheon, and that its first organizing meeting is scheduled at Pizza Pie Cafe. “We actually incorporated beginning of February…we’ve already got, I think, 29 members,” he said, describing plans to publish a business list for residents and to help advertise events and local merchants. Councilors pressed him on how the chamber identifies home‑based businesses and how a municipal membership would work; Crowley said businesses may belong to multiple chambers and that a municipal membership is priced at $2,500 for the first year.
Why it matters: Council members framed the presentation in light of Alpine’s largely residential character and limited storefront retail. Some councilors said they want the chamber to prioritize home‑based businesses and “shop‑local” campaigns rather than large‑scale commercial recruitment. Crowley said the chamber will focus on local discovery, advertising and events as a way to support small businesses and municipal sales tax revenue. The council said it expects to discuss a formal city partnership at a future meeting.
