Start the new year right! Come to meet and learn about the Economic Development Partners in Raton and what we can do for you. We will also discuss the idea of reviving the Chamber of Commerce. We will have a brainstorm about the pros, the cons, the needs of the business community, and how they can best be fulfilled.

Schedule

11am-11:15am – Coffee and Muffins (sign-in & networking time)
11:15am-11:45am – Speakers - GrowRaton, Raton Main Street, The Center for Community Innovation, City of Raton, Better City, & NM Workforce Solutions
11:50am-12pm – City Manager Overview and Vision for Chamber of Commerce
12pm-12:30pm – Opportunities and Challenges Brainstorm
- Challenges: Raton business needs and gaps in business services
- Opportunity: Future services and support from ED partners and/or possible Chamber of Commerce

Guiding Principles of Meetings

1) We want to be attentive to who's NOT at the table and work to bring them in. For communities to achieve their full potential, each and every person must be invested in community success and consider themselves represented in decision-making for the community.

2) We want to ensure transparency and communication with members and communities. Open and honest lines of communication are crucial to maintaining trust. To advance equity for rural people and places, rural advocates must be in better sync and not work at cross purposes.

3) We want to find ways to maintain excitement and participation from members and communities. Much of the equity and prosperity work underway in rural places is hard, long-term work, and participants suggested celebrating wins and maintaining strong personal relationships among members to maintain momentum.