Chamber update

Water, bikes, volunteers and an incubator
Water is on the minds of the business community in Healdsburg just like everyone else in California. You’ll probably notice when you sit down in your favorite restaurant that a glass of water does not immediately appear in front of you, and if you were to check into a hotel or bed and breakfast in town you’d be told about the drought and the need to shorten your shower and use your bed linens and towels for the length of your stay.
Water is also on the minds of the businesses whose livelihoods are dependent on water in the river. Canoeing and kayaking in the Russian River are mainstay businesses in Sonoma County, going back in some cases multiple generations.
The busloads of church youth groups and scouts who arrive from the Bay Area to float the river, also chow down at the burger stands and ice cream concessions nearby. The beaches along the Russian River have historically been affordable recreational areas for families.
We are watching the flows in the river and will be posting on social media about drought and water conditions.
Many of the businesses in Healdsburg have been, or are in the process of being certified through the Sonoma County Green Business Program. Actions that these businesses have taken for certification include conserving water with high efficiency toilets and faucet aerators. Exchange Bank and Community First Credit Union are examples of Green Certified businesses. Other businesses are conserving with the help of programs provided through the City of Healdsburg Utility Department.
 Saturday, July 18 is the date for the 29th Annual Healdsburg Harvest Century Bike Tour. One of the longest established bike tours in Sonoma County, the Harvest Century is a fund raiser for the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce. Many of the riders return year after year commenting that the beauty of the scenery and the ease of the routes keeps them coming back. We are still looking for volunteers to help with this fun event. If you are interested please email al****@he********.com or call 433-6935.
On June 1 the Chamber staff sponsored a “thank you” luncheon for the Visitor Center volunteers. We currently have fifteen active volunteers who staff the center from 10-4 each day. They are truly the face of Healdsburg to the people who stop by each day, answering questions, answering phones, making recommendations for locals and visitors alike.
Did you know that the Chamber is also a business incubator? Last year we incubated a start-up wine app business. This year we are incubating a start-up hospitality industry business publication. Our goal for this business is to outgrow the incubator and become an established, growing business adding to the local economy. When this happens, we’ll be looking for another business to fledge.
Submitted by the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau