The Chelsea Business Alliance is currently searching for new members. According to director and co-founder Je Anne Smith, the Chelsea Business Alliance is a membership driven organization that is made up of businesses from the city of Chelsea and the surrounding areas.

“The intent of our organization is to give this business community the opportunity to have a local networking organization, and promote our businesses to the local residents in the community,” Smith said. “We felt like this was a great opportunity for our businesses in Chelsea.”

Smith said there are currently more than 45 members of the Chelsea Business Alliance.

“That has actually probably increased, because we got several new members during the holidays and a couple of new members in January,” Smith said.

Smith said the Chelsea Business Alliance is run entirely by volunteers.

“Membership dues are nominal, and all of the membership dues go to help enhance the promotion of our organization to the community,” Smith said. “Every dime we collect goes straight into promoting our businesses.”

Memberships are also available to individuals and nonprofit organizations, in addition to licensed businesses.

“Individual memberships are for someone who wants to stay involved in the business community, and nonprofits like to join so they’re involved in activities,” Smith said.

Smith said there are many benefits associated with having a Chelsea Business Alliance membership.

“The biggest benefit to the member is business networking and community involvement,” Smith said. “One of the big things about Chelsea is to keep it local. Eighty percent of the city’s tax revenue comes from businesses”

Smith also said the Chelsea Business has helped the community in a multitude of ways.

“There has been a lot of generosity from our businesses,” Smith said. “I think we’ve done a good thing by helping promote our businesses to the community to help raise tax revenue for the city.”

Previously the Chelsea Business Alliance sponsored and organized the 2016 Chelsea Political Forums and the city’s first ever Chelsea Kids’ Christmas Party. They have also established a scholarship fund for the Chelsea High School Future Business Leaders of America.

The Chelsea Business Alliance also hosts monthly membership luncheons. The next one is scheduled for Feb. 8.

Anyone interested in requesting information or a membership application can send a message to the Chelsea Business Alliance’s Facebook page, send an email to chelseabusinessalliance@yahoo.com, or call 678-6884.

Smith said the Chelsea Business Alliance’s website is currently under construction, but potential members will soon be able to view the application online.