Dear Cedaredge Area Chamber of Commerce Members,

The year 2020 has been very challenging for many of our members, businesses, nonprofits and charities; the Cedaredge Area Chamber of Commerce is no exception. We, too, were greatly affected financially with the pandemic. With the cancellation of Applefest this year, we have had to take a hard look at how we can be a sustainable and effective part of our community.

More than simply COVID, the way our community and our country conducts business is changing. With the continued evolution of technology and social media, this has changed the way in which businesses network, market and obtain information. This alone has certainly made an impact on participation and membership over the last several years, and even more in this year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, our Board recognizes that the Cedaredge Area Chamber of Commerce was duplicating many of the efforts of the Town of Cedaredge Economic Development Department. This department of the Town reaches out to the entire business and private community, where the Chamber represents only its members. We are confident that the efforts by the Town of Cedaredge are much more expansive than the Chamber is able to provide with our limited hours, limited funds and an all-volunteer Board.

With the changing business landscape, a lack of funds to continue to pay an executive director, and a lack of Board members to move towards an all-volunteer Chamber, the Chamber Board of Directors has made the very hard decision to dissolve the Chamber and to suspend all Chamber activities as of December 31, 2020. Understanding how important Applefest is to the community, we are in active conversations about the future of the event – please be assured that Applefest will continue! As we have more concrete details about the future of Applefest, we will share them.

Please know – we are making this decision because we believe this is the most responsible way to serve our community during this tumultuous time. Between now and the end of the year, our staff will continue to help market your business via our weekly eblast and social media postings. We invite you to stop by the office and collect any of your promotional materials you would like back. Moving forward in 2021, we encourage you to reach out to the Town’s Economic Development Department for any business or nonprofit needs, concerns or issues you may have.

The Board of Directors would like to thank all of our past and present members of the Chamber for your wonderful support throughout the years. The Board extends special gratitude to
all current and past Chamber volunteers, ambassadors, and board members for their participation as well as their dedication to the citizens and businesses of Cedaredge and the surrounding area. Through these many years, these exceptional volunteers invested much time and effort

December 4, 2020

supporting their shared vision of Cedaredge and its neighboring communities, which are rich with wonderful businesses and people. We, as members of the Board of Directors, are hopeful for the future of our wonderful mountain community. We are all very honored to have worked alongside such a great group of individuals and businesses.

Sincerely,
CACC Board of Directors