Chamber Logo 
January 7 - In This Issue:
For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning. ~ T.S. Eliot

Caboose   

As we continue our planning for 2015, we look back on the last 12 months to better lay out a road map for the future and make the most of the opportunities before us.

All in all, we're gratified by all that has been accomplished, the new business and community energy, and the foundations we've laid for future progress.

In this newsletter, I describe some highlights of the Chamber's work in 2014. In upcoming newsletters, we'll present our planning for the new year and invite members and readers to let us know through a survey what else we might do to better serve you and the community.

2014 ~ A FULL & SATISFYING YEAR
  • Thoughout 2014, the Chamber maintained a steady and comprehensive marketing campaign - with print, radio and television advertising throughout the Valley - to promote Basalt and its businesses.
  • We expanded and enhanced the Chamber's Visitors Guide & Business Directory, distributing 20,000+ copies of the 68-page glossy magazine throughout the Valley and in Visitors' Centers across the State.
  • Applied for and received a grant from the Town of Basalt to expand our marketing programs for Basalt, develop demographic data and prepare a town-wide transportation plan.
  • Provided members with a year-round slate of networking and educational events to support personal business development and collaborative relations;
  • Coordinated a successful candidate forum in March;
  • Expanded our website, adding new business information, demographic data and a rich array of resources for visitors, with nearly 18,000 page views a quarter, doubling our year-beginning count.
  • Added a complimentary personal webpage to our member benefits, along with prominent member listings in the online Business Directory.
  • We upgraded our newsletter, providing up-to-date, useful and informative business and local news, event notices, analysis and member advertising
  • We communicate regularly with local media to support positive and thoughtful coverage of Basalt and individual businesses.
  • Introduced the new BASALT CO COMMUNITY FACEBOOK PAGE as a business marketing tool.
  • Our sign committee, soon to be merged into a Public Arts Council, continues to develop an impressive sign and way-finding strategy, of which the Hwy 82 and award-winning Basalt Monument roundabout signs are only the beginning;
  • Produced the popular "Live After Five" summer concerts in Lions Park and Willits Town Center;
  • Supported the annual Holiday Tree Lightings at Willits and Historic Downtown, and organized the first Menorah Lighting Ceremony in Lions Park.
  • Created a new economic development partnership to support business vitality;
  • We work closely with Our Town Planning, the Basalt Downtown Business Association, and the Town of Basalt to revitalize the historic core;
  • Launched the "Creative Spaces Project" designed to revive empty and neglected commercial spaces in historic downtown and around Basalt, including holiday decorations at the Park 'n Ride;
  • Formed the Fryingpan Road Scenic Byway Committee to help develop a corridor management plan, improve safety and seek state and county support;
  • We work with members of the Basalt Business Center to help form a commercial association to better address flood plain, underpass, signage, landscaping and basic marketing challenges;
  • Working with Basalt High School students, we're developing an innovative pilot externship program called "Set Your Sails," to help students better plan their educational curriculum and career choices through local business mentorship;
  • We provide a strong and increasingly influential voice for the business community at government, business and community meetings;
  • Our membership increased by more than 10% in just the last six months and is at an all-time high.
Thank you for being part of a vibrant and collaborative business community in Basalt. The Chamber and all that we do is guided and made possible by our members.

WHAT'S AHEAD?

 
Click to View 
The Chamber Board of Directors and staff are developing a plan and implementation structure for 2015. The strategy must consider the Our Town Planning Process, the Downtown Area Advisory Committees recommendations, Town of Basalt strategic objectives and new and ongoing developments that hold great promise for our town and business community.

As we plan, we're looking closely at how we can better support our members and contribute to a strong, vital and collaborative business environment. Over the next few weeks, we'll share our thoughts, strategies and program goals and invite you to provide input and become involved in areas that interest you and support your own business objectives. Until then, a few things are certain:
  • We're building new member benefits and "Shop Local" programs, and in 2015 will introduce the new Chamber "Community Friends" membership category we've described in past newsletters to better engage the community and support local business;
  • Pending anticipated funding, our economic development partnership will create a website, collateral materials and outreach plan to build business investment and vitality
  • We're evaluating our business educational and networking events to provide more relevant, dynamic and community-wide programs.

If you have ideas you'd like to share with the board, please send them to director@basaltchamber.com 


January is filling up with activities.
  • Join us this Friday night for the Basalt Downtown ARTWALK;
  • Then mark your calendars for the big Ribbon Cutting Bash on January 28 at Faboo followed by an Open House Party at Faboo and the Basalt Emporium & Flying Circus. There's no Business After Hours in January so stop by to meet your friends and colleagues.
This month's newsletter sponsors offer some great options for starting the new year: complimentary first-visit exams at Moore Orthopedics; great body shaping classes at Burn Fitness Studio, and a shopping adventure at our two new downtown clothing stores, Dusty Locker and Faboo. Read all about it below.

Warm regards, 
Robin
Robin Waters
President/CEO, Basalt Chamber of Commerce
texture-graphic-community.jpg
  
Thank You December Renewing Members... 
You make all that the Chamber does possible
  • Amy C Cecil, O.D.
  • Apogee Bookkeeping/Admin Services
  • Aspen Basalt Campground
  • Aspen Skiing Company
  • Aspenalt Lodge
  • Avalon Salon
  • Basalt Center LLC
  • Basalt Gallery
  • Basalt Realty
  • Basalt Regional Heritage Society
  • Blue Lake Preschool
  • Blue Tent Marketing
  • Brandt & Feigenbaum
  • Bristlecone Mountain Sports Inc
  • Cathers Home
  • Cindy Kenney Agency
  • Colorado 500 Inc
  • Colorado Tree Ranch, Inc
  • Cottle Carr Yaw Architects
  • David Lambert Construction
  • Ellen T Knous CPA
  • Flagstone Financial Advisors
  • Grassroots Television
  • Growing Years School
  • Heirlooms Inc
  • Integrity Plumbing & Heating
  • Levy Physical Therapy
  • Locke Family Medicine
  • Midland Clothing
  • Moore Orthopedics-Gail Moore
  • Ned Collum CPA
  • Peter Martin Insurance
  • Roaring Fork Earthmoving
  • Roaring Fork School District
  • Robert Singer & Assoc
  • The Green Drake Basalt
  • Theodore K Guy Assoc
  • Toklat Gallery
  • Valley View Hospital
  • Wealth by Design
  • Words Pictures Colours LLC
  • Wyly Community Art Center
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBER BENEFITS

Basalt Chamber of Commerce members receive complimentary advertising, free attendance at great networking events, educational programs, and discounts a local stores, athletic clubs and media outlets.

And this is just the beginning. Members tell us that the most rewarding part of their involvement is the sense of community and collaboration. Basalt Chamber memberships begin as low as $250 per year.

For more information and a membership application, visit the Chamber website. Applications can be found under the "Chamber" tab here
A BASALT COMMUNITY PAGE FOR ALL OUR NEWS
Our community Facebook page is growing with nearly 400 members in 3 weeks. Here's an easy way to share your business news, views and announcements. JOIN the BASALT CO COMMUNITY PAGE ON FACEBOOK, then add your Facebook "friends." Soon we'll be able to share news with the entire town at the click of a button. As a group member you can create your own events listings and invite the group. For instructions on how to add group members, click here
MARK YOUR CALENDARSMarkCalendar
DECEMBER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENTS
    & THE BEST OF BASALT

BASALT DOWNTOWN ARTWALK   
January 9, Friday 5-7pm 
For complete information on Opening Receptions & Artists and a great
  new map of Artwalk locations click here





Creative Spaces #1
Gayle Waterman^ & Peggy Judy Ann Korologos Gallery
211 Midland Avenue
Susan Obermeyer Strauss
Wyly Community Art Center
99 Midland Spur

Terry Doyle ~ 3D Wildlife
Toklat Gallery
255 Gold Rivers Court

Chris Chapman, Dave Durrance^
Rick Stevens, Dave Struempler
227 Midland Avenue #14A


BASALT TOWN COUNCIL MEETING  
January 13, Tuesday 6pm - Basalt Town Hall 
 
A PRESENTATION ON DIGITAL MARKETING 
January 13, Tuesday 11:30 - 1pm   
A Basalt Chamber-supported event of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce. Details below.  
 
RIBBON CUTTING AT FABOO ~ BASALT'S NEWEST FASHION STORE   
January 28, Wednesday, 5:30-7:30pm  (watch for more details)  
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at FABOO and
Open House Celebration at FABOO and the Basalt Emporium & Flying Circus       
BASALT BUSINESS CENTER ~ DISCUSSION 
January 29, 5:30-7pm -Basalt Town Hall 
        Discussion of signage, underpass & landscaping

BASALT - EL JEBEL SATURDAY MARKET  
Saturdays through March 14
        Eagle Crest Nursery in El Jebel.

To view a more complete calendar of Basalt events, visit the Chamber website
NewsBASALT IN THE NEWS
  & OTHER NEWS AROUND THE STATE  
 
"Group challenges Grand Avenue Bridge EA" Post Independent 1/6/15

"Basalt sale tax revenue sets record despite downtown woes " Aspen Times 1/4/15  

"Pitkin County foreclosures, bankruptcies plummeted in 2014" Aspen Times 1/2/15  
 
"The Aspen Times Newsmakers of 2014: Honorable Mentions" Aspen Times, 12/30/14

Minimum wage goes up in Colorado in 2015 The Denver Post 12/27/14 
 
Letter: Segal: Religious freedom, locally and globally Aspen Times 1/3/15

"On the Fly: All that a Roaring Fork fly-fisher wants"
Aspen Times 12/17/14

This is the big weekend for the Annual Denver Fly Fishing Show and Basalt will be well-represented by Frying Pan Anglers and a stack of the Chamber's Basalt Community Guide & Business Directory. Warwick and Marty invite anyone heading over to the convention to stop by the booth for great info on Roaring Fork Valley fishing. 

Town Manager Mike Scanlon's Weekend Update
Find information on happenings around the Town including the housing needs survey, Downtown Area Advisory Committee, development projects, parks and trails activities, and more. 
 
If we've missed anything or you have new news to report, please send it to us. If it's good news, and hasn't yet made the headlines, we'll see if we can get our local papers interested.
10 Most Recommended Mobile Apps for Business Owners and Brand Managers in 2015
Tech Tips for Basalt Chamber Members

As a business it is important that you and your team are prepared to manage your online marketing next year while on-the-go, from anywhere at anytime. Understanding which tools will help you accomplish this is essential to this success. Learn More
CarbondaleDoes digital marketing have you dazed & confused? 

Learn how to navigate the world of digital media with the Post Independent's Michael Bennett, including:
The importance of Target eMail blasts, SEM, Digital Display, Targeted Audience Extension,
Online Contests & Deals, Social Media Strategy & Reputation Management

WHEN: Tuesday, January 13, 2015, 11:30am-1pm
WHERE: Gathering Center at the Orchard, 110 Snowmass Drive, Carbondal
REGISTRATION: $20 in advance; $30 day of event. Sign up here



Catered by Susie Jiminez
This event is sponsored by the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce and will begin with a presentation
of the Carbondale 2014 Businesses of the Year and brief 2015 annual meeting.
**Attendee businesses will receive a $50 digital advertising credit from the Post Independent
MooreMOORE ORTHOPEDICS FREE INITIAL EXAM THRU JANUARY

THE DUSTY LOCKER
Specializing in Kid's Sporting Equipment & Recreational Gear
"With Previous Experience"
  • Skates
  • Ski Boots
  • Helmets
  • And much more....
Gear up for Winter!

231 Midland Avenue
Basalt, Colorado
Phone: (970) 279-5160

Open daily and taking consignments too!
                     Now on Facebook
The Basalt Chamber of Commerce welcomes 
Monica Oginski & Faboo Fashions to Downtown Basalt
 
Offering unique European designs & accessories, 
& great last-minute gift items.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony & Party
Wednesday, January 28 5:30-7:30pm
 
Located next to the Basalt Emporium & Flying C
ircus in the Midland Ave Mall
YOUR NEWS HERE FOR $20 OR LESS!
Taste  
You can reach a broad, targeted audience with your sales, specials and latest news. Send us either typed information and a photo, or your ad in .jpg format and we'll post it in our next newsletter. Plus, we can insert a link to your website, email address or any type of .pdf flyer, invitation or document. Contact us when you're ready for that extra boost.

Looking for even more direct exposure? Take advantage of our exclusive member e-blasts? The member rate is $100 (that's less than 10 cents per contact!). Just email us with with your ad details and we'll have it out within 48 business hours (just not on a day when another campaign is scheduled). As a bonus, with your e-blast, we'll include an ad in the newsletter for free.
The FISHING REPORT 
With the holidays finally here, we, like many others, procrastinate our holiday shopping until the last possible moment. It's always a tough chore to buy or make things for others when you have no idea what to get that person, no matter how well you know them. Fly-fishers especially are the ultimate gear junkies, and because of that, they typically
 
For the rest of the story read "On the Fly" provided weekly by the Taylor Creek Fly Shop in Basalt.

Roaring Fork River Report
Fryingpan River Report 

  

USGS Real Time Flow Chart for the Frying Pan River
USGS Real Time Flow chart for the Fork at Basalt (Emma)


This Month In Basalt

For a full listing of Basalt activities click on the calendar
Basalt Area Chamber of Commerce
The Red Caboose in Lions Park
PO Box 514
Basalt, CO 81621
970.927.4031

Our Mission:  To advocate for, promote, and serve our members.

 

Our Vision:  
To grow Basalt as a destination for businesses, locals, and visitors.

Memberships as low as $250 per year. For more information and a membership application, click here
Chamber Logo

STAY CONNECTED!
               
Like us on FacebookFollow us on Twitter