The Monroe Police Department has introduced a new process for our businesses to file trespass notices.  Businesses can now go to the City of Monroe website and fill out a Trespass Letter of Consent (TLC).  This specifically worded, legal document will allow police officers to take enforcement action on behalf of the business without contacting them first.  Officers who observe trespassers on private property can then immediately address the problem.  To file a Trespass Letter of Consent or more information go to www.monroewa.gov/68/Police-Department  and look for Trespass Letter of Consent in the left hand column. 

**Please note, we would like this done even if you have previously given us signed trespass notices.  This is a change in our procedure.

There is still time to sign up...

The U.S. Small Business Administration and SCORE will host a 2-Day Virtual Conference during National Small Business Week. The conference will take place Tuesday, May 7 – Wednesday, May 8 between 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM Eastern / 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM Pacific each day. Registration is FREE to the public.

Click here to register and learn more. 

the days are starting to brighten up and bring much joy to our fair city! 

With Spring here, the flowers are starting to grow, the grass is looking a little greener and attitudes are getting cheerier! :)

A lot has happened this month. We had the Business Excellence Awards at the March Chamber Luncheon and they went well. We were able to get through them in the hour we allotted and even heard from Rene Jensen about Prop 1 and how it’s funded and what the hospital does for our community. 

The Chamber also has a huge announcement. We have a new office at the St. Vincent de Paul's Resource Center. The Resource Center has a training room attached to it and my office is now there.  I will be helping to manage the training room and we now have a nicer, more spacious location to hold our workshops and trainings. 

Membership renewal invoices went out this week. If you have questions or would like to set up a meeting please do not hesitate to call me (360) 453-7671.

We have finalized our dates for the Farmers Market and lineup for the Music in the Park concerts. Click the links below for more information. 

Music in the Park

Please take a moment to introduce yourself to our new members and get to know their business. 

This week has been a GREAT week for the Chamber.   It was the last week of the month and that meant a lot of tasks needed to be completed.   Janelle finalized the music in the park lineup. We got some great input from Mike and Denise from the City and sent out our contracts to the bands. Hopefully by Tuesday morning we will have a final line up ready for release.

Wednesday, I attended a Small Business Board meeting in Everett that helps bring attention and focus to the Small Businesses in our county. Any input you have for me to take back to the board would be greatly appreciated. This week's meeting was a discussion about what kind of help and resources we could provide to businesses as a Board.

Wednesday was also Ideal Lifestyle Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting! Janelle and I were so excited to be there and help celebrate this great success for Katie and Linda. We are excited to watch them grow and help our community live their ideal lifestyle.

Thursday was a day of catching up and getting applications and payments in order to submit for our Music in the Park concert series. The Beer Garden is growing and we need to hear from you what kind of drinks you want to see in there this summer. After the great feedback from the ChiliBowl in January I think we might need to bring back the Jalapeno Margarita!

Friday, we had a great Coffee and Connections event discussing Facebook and a few tips about how to improve your page and visibility. I would love to host more events with local subject matter experts! What kind of class can you lead that would help our members grow their business and community engagement?

We also started our interviews for the new Community Engagement Specialist. Excited to get this process going and the new person in the office later this month. As soon as we finish our interviews we will announce our new person on Tuesday after our Board meeting.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and goes out and enjoys the sun. Did you know that Governor Inslee declared this Saturday Washington Beer Day!?!?! Where are you going for a beer this Saturday? https://blog.seattlepi.com/washingtonbeerblog/2019/02/28/governor-inslee-declares-this-saturday-washington-beer-day/.

The City of Snohomish is organizing a great business workshop that many of you may want to learn more about and attend. 

Interested in starting a business in the Gig Economy?

Network with other independent entrepreneurs and learn from seasoned professionals to navigate the complexities of working for yourself.

Sign up here. 

Here is the link to Initiative 1433 and the FAQ page. 

There is also a Paid Sick Leave Law Overview (Webinar) webinar https://www.lni.wa.gov/Main/WorkshopsTraining/#/?i=1

Monroe business will offer a one-day special in honor of Super Saturday. There will also be many family friendly activities and events going on throughout Monroe.  

Explore the city of Monroe and discover a new store. Create something new and unique to you. Dine and drink at one of our amazing locally owned restaurants, pubs, bars, breweries and cafes. Make a weekend out of it and spoil yourself at one of amazing hotels. 

Visit our website www.ChooseMonroe.com or contact us at 360.794.5488 for more information.

Pickup passports at 125 S Lewis St. Monroe WA, 98272 or print yourself off our facebook page. 

Organized by the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and partially funded by Monroe LTAC.

Event Sponsors: 
Sam's Cats and Dogs Naturally - Monroe
Natural Factors
Brookdale Monroe
Monroe Boys & Girls Club
Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Brian Metcalf

SATURDAY ONLY SALES!!!!!

Main Street Cafe Monroe Wa:Buy one get one free! Buy a meal with a drink and get the second one free! Must be of equal or lesser value. 
Camp 1923: Offering 10% off the entire store!
The Junk Sisterhood DIY Decor Studio: We will be offering refreshments and 15% off everything on the shop! 
The Amarillo: $5 off any purchase over $30 and $10 off any purchase over $50 
Camp Bow Wow Monroe: Visit Camp Bow Wow, Monroe's Premier Doggy DayCare and Boarding on Super Saturday. Take a tour of our facility, get your passport signed, receive a doggy treat bag and a coupon for a free nail trim for your fur-baby. 
Buzz Inn Monroe: Breakfast special! Ham and cheese scramble with country potatoes and country gravy! Comes with your choice of toast, only $8.99! 
Sam's Cats and Dogs Naturally - Monroe: Redeem this passport for a free 1/2 lb of bulk dog biscuits! 
Harry's on Tye: Order a appetizer and full size sandwich, pizza or pasta recieve 10% off entire order. Applies to one person or couple only. 
Ideal Lifestyle:Ideal Lifestyle of Monroe is here to address the need for healthy weight loss. Stop in and enter to win a FREE session of LipoMelt Non-Invasive Body Sculpting! 
Snohomish Vapor Co - Monroe WA:$10 off any purchase of $25 or more! 
Pharm A Save Monroe: 10% off any retail purchase *Excludes perscription purchase see store for details* Redeem this passport for a free months supply of chewable multi vitamins! 
Original Pilot House Coffees: 10% off your drink order! 
Main St. Books Monroe, LLC: 10% off used books! 
Bricks & Minifigs Monroe WA: 10% off one used lego set! 
FX Pro Detailing: $50 off complete detail! interior/exterior 
Woods Creek Nursery: Free 1 gal Stransvesia with purchase! Exclusive Super Saturday Sales on select items. Visit our website or Facebook page for complete list of sale items. 
Cascade Hearing Aid Center: FREE HEARING TEST! 
Armageddon Arms Online:10% off any ammo purchase OR free box of range ammo with purchase of a firearm! Come see us! 
SharinaBeans on Main: SharinaBeans's will offer 20% off total purchase.

Monroe Visitor Center - free popcorn to all visitors

POP UP SHOP at the Visitor Information Center 

The Monroe Community Awards has gotten a face lift. The Monroe Community Awards has a new name that better suits the focus of the night.  

The Monroe Chamber of Commerce has some amazing businesses that rarely receive the praise and recognition they deserve. The Chamber Business Excellence Awards provide that platform for recognition. Please join us for this great event that highlights all that is good about our business community!

Date: February 20, 2019
Doors open at 5:30 pm
Program starts at 6:00 pm
Location: Monroe High School

Nomination form: https://goo.gl/forms/IoF2dkIRyRhagpgI2

**** All Monroe Chamber of Commerce members are encouraged to give out awards to their staff, volunteers and/or vendors as a token of their appreciation for all their hard work in 2018.

If you would like 3-5 minutes on the microphone to recognize your team’s hard work and accomplishments, please indicate so on the registration form to be added to the agenda.

This is a free benefit open to all current Monroe Chamber members. Friends and family are welcome to attend as your guests. Please reserve your table by February 8. There are 7 chairs to a table and all seats are assigned. ****

Washington Nonprofits has a new learning opportunity for you: Next Level Nonprofit. This three-part cohort-based program is designed to strengthen your board's performance and decision-making. Click here for more information.