Citrus Heights Chamber awarded $25,000: Here’s what its for

By Sara Beth Williams–
Citrus Heights City Council members recently approved the award of a $25,000 grant to the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce, a significantly higher amount than requested in prior years.

The grant request was approved on Sept. 11 and is comprised of three parts.

Chamber’s Circle Sponsorship

The chamber requested $10,000 for the Chamber’s Circle sponsorship, which the city has actively participated in sponsoring for 10 years. Participating as a Diamond Chairman Circle Sponsor affords the city specific privileges with the chamber, including a logo with link on the Chamber website recognized as Diamond Level, logo recognition on all luncheon presentations and in newsletters and eblasts, four tickets to each Access Citrus Heights Luncheon, six tickets to the Elected Officials Reception, and four featured articles in the Chamber’s weekly newsletter.

Renting the Citrus Heights Community Center for a full year

The chamber also requested $7,000, which would go toward renting the Citrus Heights Community Center for a full calendar year. The Chamber first began including this grant request in 2021, according to the city, to propose hosting monthly chamber luncheons at the Citrus Heights Community Center instead of at locations outside the city.

Since hosting at the Citrus Heights Community Center, the city said the Chamber has “consistently expressed gratitude and excitement” to be able to host within the city limits and has supported multiple local restaurants over the years by utilizing their catering services.

Relocating Chamber offices

Lastly, the chamber requested $8,000 for the purposes of relocating their office to an unspecified “more prominent and accessible” location within the city. In the submitted grant proposal, the Chamber wrote that the new location will offer improved visibility, increased foot traffic, and a more inviting space for meetings and events.

During the meeting, Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheri Merrick said that she’s “pushing very hard” to relocate because the current location is difficult for people to find.

As of the end of August 2024, a total of 57 new businesses have joined the Chamber of Commerce, as compared to 17 new members joining in 2023, Merrick said, which includes businesses that once left and now have returned.

“Us having a more prominent location will only benefit that growth,” Merrick said during the council meeting.

The City’s Economic Development Support Fund provides grants and sponsorships to businesses, business associations, and other economic development-related organizations for events, marketing, promotions, and other related activities.