Oberlin Business Partnership serves as a champion for its historic city bringing people together to promote and nourish the community.
Oberlin Business Partnership formed in 2012 when the Oberlin Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Oberlin merged.
Janet Haar, executive director of the Oberlin Business Partnership, said the initiative brings together the best of both types of organizations while capitalizing on other community groups’ efforts.
“We really just try to connect the dots of things that are already happening and get more people to come,” Haar said. “One of our major roles is getting people to come to this community.”
Oberlin Business Partnership provides support and promotion to local business as a chamber would and works to preserve and rejuvenate Oberlin’s historic areas such as Main Street.
All efforts are designed to impact Oberlin’s future and facilitate success.
“We can’t really get anything done without partnering with people in our community,” Haar said.
Monthly Good Morning Oberlin events are the only place where people from nonprofits, governments, business and academia all come together.
Oberlin Business Partnership’s 130 members represent all parts of the city and college that grew up together beginning in 1883.
“There is no other organization that is a convener of people,” Haar said.
The changing landscape has altered what local businesses need, she added.
Many businesses now are home-based or solo entrepreneurs.
They don’t have large budgets for marketing or resources for health insurance.
Oberlin Business Partnership does.
“If we can help them be sustainable, we can help the community be sustainable,” Haar said. “One of our strengths is our ability to promote small businesses.”
Membership at the Oberlin Business Partnership provides access to cost savings available through the Northern Ohio Area Chamber of Commerce.
Business can save on workers’ compensation, credit card processing fees and more.
Oberlin Business Partnership also belongs to the Power of More, a Greater Cleveland area organization of chambers which allows members to network with a broader audience, growing both their skills and their customer base.
“In today’s climate, there is just no way you can work in your business and at the same time work on your business,” Haar said. “What I have learned is that not everybody wants the same thing.
“You have to get to know the person and the business and you will have something for them.”
Haar emphasized that anyone can become a member even if they are not based in Oberlin.
Many former Oberlin College students become members before or after they return to the area in their retirement.
Oberlin Business Partnership’s events include the upcoming Experience Oberlin Saturday series and the next installment of the Inspiring Women Series.
Saturday events, formerly Second Saturdays, are planned for July 15, Aug. 12 and Sept. 9.
Each Saturday will involve diverse activities including sidewalk sales for small businesses.
A children’s tent is set up on East College Street in the Courtyard beginning at 10 a.m. and the event operates from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The next Inspiring Women event is planned for Aug. 8 at Sunset Terrace at Lakeview Park, 1800 W. Erie Ave. in Lorain.
A panel of local women will share their success stories with an expected audience of 80 guests.
For more information on all Oberlin Business Partnership events and efforts, visit www.oberlin.org.
