The Esparto Regional Chamber of Commerce opened its office at the Capay Valley Health and Community Center earlier this year to show its commitment to serving the community.

The chamber previously had a small office along Main Street, but Chamber President Stephen Gordon said the lack of foot traffic made it “obsolete” and “obscure” to most.

Additionally, he noted that the chamber hadn’t held an in-person meeting for the last five years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We had our first in-person chamber meeting last night in over five years and we also had the most attendance that we’ve had at a meeting,” Gordon said in mid-July.

He argued that the community center’s opening in January was the perfect opportunity for the chamber to become a resource for the community and local businesses.

“We’re almost fully moved in and operational now and we will be by August,” Gordon explained. “Then we’ll be able to quarterback the Almond Festival planning, our committees and functions for all of our stuff in one central location. And what better place to do that than in the town’s community center.”

Additionally, the chamber negotiated an agreement with Capay Valley Vision to share a coworking space noting that they are two of the oldest nonprofits in the valley and Yolo County.

“That has a lot to do with our direction as a chamber. We didn’t have any visibility, so it was my idea to try to find that.”

“When the community center was being built and I being an active community member is Esparto…, I came to her directly with the idea and how it fit with their vision. Took that idea to Capay Valley Vision to do a co-habited workspace with them.”

Had worked in a space like this before. Benefits include lower rent costs and the ability to remain relevant being in a place with a lot of exposure.

Gordon highlighted that the chamber is offering office space to active chamber members when needed. An example he used was a new business owner who didn’t have office space and utilized the chamber office for a several-hour-long audit.

“Everyone was ecstatic to be able to come and use that space,” he stated. “In turn, we’re doing exactly what we set out to do, which is support our local businesses that are in need.”

Furthermore, Gordon is pushing for the return of a Junior Chamber of Commerce program meant to introduce high school students to the work the chamber does.

“We realized these last two years more than ever if we don’t start to create room for engagement with the younger generation, none of the work that we’re doing now is going to matter,” Gordon remarked. “I am the youngest chamber president ever and I just turned 40.”

The chamber has started engaging with Esparto High School and its student body to get the program going again.

“Luckily the high school was very happy to work with that,” he said. “It’s been an experiment amazing to watch because it’s… an effort to grow our chamber and keep our chamber alive.”

If interested in learning more about the chamber and its upcoming events, visit espartoregionalchamber.com.