By STEPHANIE BRUMFIELD / Staff Writer

CHELSEA – To help promote and enhance the business climate in Chelsea, a small group of businesses have gotten together to launch a brand-new Chelsea Business Alliance, which will meet for the first time Oct. 9 at 11:30 a.m. at Chelsea City Hall.

Board president and Chelsea chiropractor Ben Smith of Smith Chiropractic said the group is open to all businesses in the Chelsea area, for-profits and non-profits alike.

“We’re here specifically for the businesses of Chelsea, to be a resource for them, to be a bridge between the city and its businesses and also provide resources and improve business flow to each of our members,” Smith said.

Currently, the alliance has set up a board, has bylaws in place and is in the process of applying for 501(c)(6) status and putting together marketing materials and a website, Smith said. They also have several ideas about upcoming events and programs but are open to feedback from businesses in the area.

“We are really going to be laying down the structure within the next year with where we want this thing to go,” Smith said. “If you feel this is something that is right for you and you want to have a say, now is the best opportunity as we lay the groundwork for future development.”

Smith said he expects the alliance to sponsor events and other things that would promote foot traffic to Chelsea businesses, as well as advertising and business development opportunities.

“It’s just a matter of finding out what our business climate wants right now,” he said.

The alliance currently has 11 members, though the goal is to have 40 by the end of the year, Smith said. Membership dues are offered on a sliding scale based on the business’s number of employees.

Anyone interested in becoming a member or attending the Oct. 9 meeting should contact Smith at 678-6884 or brsmith@chelseabacksmith.com. Lunch costs $10 per person.