The Shoreline Chamber of Commerce (SCC) is launching a series of new programs designed to not only mentor area entrepreneurs and provide feedback, but to provide small loans to put solutions into action. According to SCC President Dee Jacob, the new Chamber Economic Boost program (CEB) is specifically crafted to ensure that local businesses can connect with mentors, consultants, and coaches to maximize their potential and surmount the continuing economic uncertainties.

According to Jacob, who came on as president of the chamber last October and has been a small business owner herself, she had a concerns that even though the funds doled out by the government in response to the COVID pandemic allowed many businesses to survive until now through extremely difficult economic circumstances, they didn’t address the root causes of why small businesses are treading water.

“To fulfill our mission, which is to create economic vitality in our community, [we are working] to aid businesses that are on the edge of failing,” said Jacob. “Money was given out [by the federal government] without making sure that money was going to the most important aspects of this situation. Obviously when you get out of something like we just went through and are still going through, you’re simply in crisis mode and you are just trying to survive, but once you get out, some of the same problems you’ve been dealing with are still there: not enough sales, cost of materials, employee rates are going up, paying your vendors. Nothing has changed. So, the idea at first was how we could supply mentors or coaches or consultants to those small business that can’t afford them, and help with guidance.”

Jacob said the chamber’s new program will have a three-pronged approach, the first of which, the Coaching for Business Success program, will be rolling out by the end of June. This program is specifically geared toward matching businesses with a qualified coach/consultant that will be focused on and strive to give the best advice and support to any small business that applies, according to Jacob.

“We wanted to focus on something that is actionable. We want to find something that is more a root issue and is actionable and addressable, so that we can truly help these businesses,” said Jacob. “We have seven Guilford coaches so far…They are training soon and we are trying to match businesses with the skills and abilities of these coaches. We want to get down to what the issue is for these businesses…and find a solution. That could be new training, that could new software, whatever it might be…We want to help them find a set of possible solutions for the problems that we together have identified and identified as actionable.”

Jacob said the slots are limited. The Town of Guilford has provided $25,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the program, and Jacob said the chamber hopes to facilitate 28 “engagements” with community businesses.

The chamber hopes that eventually this plan will cover the towns of Guilford, Branford, and North Branford. Currently only Guilford has approved the chamber’s program, but according to Jacob she believes both Branfords will be on board as well after the submission process follows the respective town’s governing bodies.

The program is currently open to any Guilford business.

Through the program, the chamber is working to play “a bigger role for the community, and because these funds are coming from the ARPA funds, this is open all to all Guilford businesses. You do not need to be a chamber member,” Jacob said.

The additional thrusts of the new CEB are a business education series via a YouTube platform that will provide easy and accessible information videos from local experts on local topics, and then Economic Success Grants to program participants that will address issues and solutions developed with the coaches.

There is no fee to participate in these programs and any business, regardless of its Shoreline Chamber of Commerce membership, can participate. For more information, contact Dee Jacob at dee@shorelinechamberct.org.