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Creative Partnership Ideas to Boost Engagement and Sales in Pike County
As the Director of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing firsthand how collaboration can bring unique experiences for our community. In our rural setting, the spirit of partnership isn't just an opportunity—it's a necessity. By working together, businesses of all types can enhance their offerings, reach new audiences, and drive sales in ways they might not achieve alone. Also don't forget our nonprofits play a crucial role in enriching our community, and also great potential for partnering together. Here are 20 creative partnership ideas that could benefit small businesses and nonprofits across Pike County. Whether you see your specific industry listed or not, these examples can spark ideas on how to team up with others to grow your business and engage with the community. 1. Farmers' Market and Local Restaurant Farm-to-Table Events: Host farm-to-table dinners at your restaurant using fresh produce from the local farmers' market. The market can promote the event to its customers, while the restaurant can offer a discount to market patrons. 2. Restaurant and Local Artisan Artisan Nights: Organize events where customers can enjoy some food or drinks while learning a new skill from a local artisan, like pottery or woodworking. The restaurant can provide the perfect relaxed atmosphere, while the artisan brings creativity. 3. Boutique and Local Jewelry Maker Fashion & Accessory Pop-Ups: Host joint pop-up events where customers can shop for clothing at the boutique and find the perfect accessories from the jewelry maker. Offer discounts to customers who purchase from both. 4. B&B and Historical Society Heritage Tours & Stays: Create a package deal where guests of the bed and breakfast can enjoy a guided tour of local historical sites, offered by the historical society. This partnership can attract history enthusiasts and provide a unique, immersive experience. 5. Florist and Photographer Styled Photo Shoots: Collaborate on styled photo shoots for weddings or other special occasions. The florist can provide stunning floral arrangements, while the photographer captures the beauty, creating a portfolio that promotes both businesses. 6. Wine Shop/Liquor Store and Local Restaurant Wine Pairing Nights: Host special evenings where the Liquor Store provides expertly chosen wines to pair with a gourmet meal prepared by the restaurant. This collaboration can draw food and wine enthusiasts, boosting both businesses. 7. Grocery Store and Cooking School Cooking Classes: Partner to offer cooking classes using ingredients sourced from the grocery store. Participants learn to cook delicious meals and leave with recipes and a shopping list to recreate the experience at home. 8. Hardware Store and DIY Workshop Hands-On DIY Events: Collaborate to offer workshops where community members can learn new skills, like building a birdhouse or refinishing furniture. The hardware store provides the materials, and the DIY expert leads the workshop. 9. Restaurant and Food Bank "Pay It Forward" Program: Partner with a local food bank to create a "Pay It Forward" initiative where customers can purchase a meal for someone in need. The café can offer a matching program, doubling the impact of every donation. 10. Hardware or Equipment Store and Environmental Nonprofit Community Clean-Up Events: Organize clean-up days where customers can join in on preserving local trails, parks, or waterways. The outdoor equipment store can provide gloves, bags, and other necessary supplies, while the nonprofit leads the efforts and educates participants on environmental stewardship. 11. Fitness Studio and Youth Organization Youth Fitness Programs: Collaborate on after-school fitness programs for local youth, offering classes or sports activities. The fitness studio provides the space and trainers, while the youth organization recruits participants and handles logistics. 12. Florist and Hospice Care/Nursing Homes Flowers for Compassion: Work with a hospice care organization to provide floral arrangements for patients and their families. The florist can offer special discounts for donations made by customers to fund these arrangements, spreading compassion and beauty. Arrangement Events: Florists provide a simple DIY arrangement that can be done at the Nursing Home. Florist provides the materials. 13. Stores and Animal Rescue Adoption Events & Supply Drives: Partner with a local animal rescue to host pet adoption events at your store. The store can also run supply drives, encouraging customers to donate pet food, toys, and other necessities for animals in need. 14. Churches and Local Restaurants Community Dinners: Partner to host regular community dinners where the restaurant provides catering at a discounted rate, and the church offers the venue. These events can serve as fundraisers for local causes or simply as a way to bring the community together. Faith & Fellowship Brunches: Collaborate on Sunday brunches after church services, offering a special menu for congregants. The church can promote the restaurant’s brunch to its members, creating a new weekend tradition. 15. Coworking Spaces and Home-Based Businesses Skill-Sharing Workshops: Host skill-sharing workshops at the coworking space, where home-based business owners can teach others about their expertise—be it crafting, digital marketing, or accounting. This not only provides value to the coworking members but also gives home-based businesses exposure. Pop-Up Markets: Organize pop-up markets within the coworking space where home-based businesses can showcase and sell their products. This brings traffic to the coworking space and gives home-based businesses a physical presence in the community. 16. Realtors and Local Businesses Welcome Packages: Realtors can partner with local businesses, such as restaurants, country stores, and home-based service providers, to create welcome packages for new homeowners. These packages could include coupons, gift cards, and information about local services and events. 17. Insurance Agents and Nursing Homes Senior Safety Workshops: Partner to offer workshops focused on senior safety, covering topics like fall prevention, home safety, and the importance of appropriate insurance coverage. Insurance agents can provide valuable insights, while nursing homes can offer practical advice and demonstrations. 18. Daycare Facilities and Local Restaurants Parents’ Night Out: Partner to offer “Parents’ Night Out” events, where daycare facilities provide extended hours of care, and the restaurant offers a special dinner package. This collaboration gives parents a well-deserved break while promoting both businesses. 19. Nursing Homes and Daycare Facilities Intergenerational Programs: Create intergenerational programs where children from daycare facilities visit nursing homes for activities like storytime, arts and crafts, or holiday celebrations. This partnership enriches the lives of both the elderly and the children, fostering a sense of community. Shared Events: Organize joint events such as seasonal fairs, where both daycare children and nursing home residents can participate. These events can include games, crafts, and food, bringing together different generations in a meaningful way. 20. Insurance/Banks and Local Restaurants Customer Appreciation Nights: Insurance agents can partner with local restaurants to host customer appreciation nights. The restaurant provides the venue and catering, while the insurance agent offers door prizes, giveaways, and policy consultations. Financial Wellness Workshops: Offer financial wellness workshops at the restaurant, where customers can enjoy a meal while learning about insurance products, retirement planning, and more. This setting creates a relaxed environment for discussing important financial topics. Why Partnerships Matter? Creative partnerships like these not only enhance the offerings of local businesses but also build a stronger sense of community. They allow you to reach new audiences, share marketing efforts, and create unique experiences that draw customers back time and time again. Also partnering with nonprofits aligns your business with meaningful causes that resonate with customers. If you’re unsure of how to start or who to partner with, reach out to the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. We’re here to help you find businesses with shared values and goals, making it easier to create collaborations that benefit everyone involved. Together, we can continue to make Pike County a vibrant place to live, work, and visit.
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 Today marks a momentous occasion for Pike County as we celebrate AES Indiana's announcement of approximately $1.1 billion in investments from 2024 to 2026. As the Director of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, I am thrilled to share this exciting news that will undoubtedly help shape the future of our community in remarkable ways. AES Indiana's plans include the transformation of the Petersburg Generating Station Units 3 and 4 from coal to natural gas, pending approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). This transition is a testament to AES Indiana's commitment to cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions that will benefit not just our county, but the entire state. The introduction of two new projects, including the Pike County Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and the Petersburg Energy Center, will bring 250 megawatts (MW) of solar power and 180 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage to our region. This will ensure that Pike County remains at the forefront of grid reliability, flexibility, and sustainability. The impact of these projects on our community cannot be overstated. During the construction phase alone, approximately 300 jobs will be created, providing a significant boost to our local economy. Over the next 20 years, these investments are expected to generate approximately $40 million in taxes and benefits for Pike County. This is not just an investment in energy—it's an investment in our people, our businesses, and our future. Ken Zagzebski, CEO of AES Utilities, highlighted the importance of these projects, emphasizing that the economic growth in our state has long been powered by the dedicated workers at Petersburg. With these new investments, Pike County will continue to play a crucial role in Indiana's energy future, transitioning to natural gas while incorporating solar, and battery storage capacity. These projects will position Pike County as a leader in clean energy, contributing to environmental improvements and offering reliable, affordable energy solutions for residents and businesses alike. Brandi Davis-Handy AES Indiana President, also announced a $100,000 donation for the construction of the new Petersburg Community Center. This center will be a valuable resource for residents of all ages that will enrich our community and contribute to our quality of life. Many key community leaders attended and shared their gratitude for AES. Ashley Willis, Executive Director of the Pike County Economic Development Corporation, spoke passionately about the positive impact these projects will have on our local economy and quality of life. She also expressed her gratitude for investing in Pike County. Petersburg Mayor R.C. Klipsch echoed these sentiments. Mayor Klipsch also spoke about the history of the great partnership between Pike County and AES. I am optimistic for the future of Pike County. |
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October 2024
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