New chamber of commerce consolidation serves South San Luis Obispo County

Business just got a little brighter in South San Luis Obispo County.

It’s as bright as the new logo featuring a rising sun that was revealed Thursday during the official launching of the South County Chambers of Commerce.

“The future is here,” said Patrick Raymond, Raymond & Associates owner. “We have a taken a step forward in how we can consolidate and collaborate on a bigger and broader scale for businesses.”

The new organization includes what used to be the Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Nipomo Chamber of Commerce.

“The consolidation helps us provide services for our members from Avila all the way down to Nipomo,” said chamber chairman Sean Shurr. “It gives us a chance to be one force and one business voice for our communities. The nice part is that we’re able to work as a south county and work on regional issues and local issues at the same time.”

The move to merge with Nipomo, comes six years after the chambers in Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach joined forces.

Now, the Nipomo chamber joins the mix, creating a chamber with about 550 members.

The newly expanded organization will provide businesses across the South County with countless opportunities.

“Today is a monumental day,” said Raymond, who served as Nipomo Chamber president before the consolidation. “I gladly embrace this collaboration of these chambers coming together and looking at the business community and making a difference for everybody.”

“If you can network up to 200 people versus 100 people, or in some cases 20 to 30 at some cases at a mixer, it truly helps promote and help progress your business to the next level,” said Schurr.

Businesses in Nipomo stand to benefit from the newly created chamber. The chamber was recently operated by an all-volunteer staff. The new South County Chamber will include full-time employees, plus a separate Nipomo committee.

In addition to Nipomo, the new chamber will also include businesses in Oceano and Avila Beach.

“That’s are under utilized areas that have a lot of services and things that are provided to our community,” Schurr said. “We’re focusing on our tourism. We’re focusing on our business aspects for all businesses in those areas.”

While the South County Chamber does have members in Pismo Beach, the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce is not part of the consolidation and will remain independent.

Just two doors down from the Nipomo chamber office is Daisy Delights Bakery. The business is only a couple of years old, but has carved out a loyal, faithful clientele in its location on East Tefft Street.

Owner Daisy Cisneros said she’s excited about the new chamber and the opportunities it will provide.

“It’s an opportunity for small businesses here in Nipomo to network to other businesses and help each other from small business to another in other cities and towns,” said Cisneros. “Nipomo already helps out each other, one small business to another. We try to shop here locally, so now with the South County, maybe can expand and go to other businesses as well.”

Cisneros also believes by owners able to give and receive ideas, advice and suggestions with other entrepreneurs throughout the South County area, which will hopefully make every business stronger.

“It’s an opportunity to network and to grow to other nearby cities and towns,” Cisneros said. “We are all experts in our own business and if we share with each other our expertise, maybe can learn from one another.”

The South County Chambers of Commerce will be based in the South County Regional Center in Arroyo Grande.

It will remain in the same location the Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach Chamber of Commerce has occupied for years. The Arroyo Grande office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 800 A W. Branch St.

The Nipomo office will remain at the intersection of East Tefft Street and South Wilson Street. Office hours will be Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.

For more information, visit the new South County Chambers of Commerce website or call (805) 489-1488.