ThinkOakland 1

The Oakland Business Association, initiated by Charles Wright and formally announced by Linda Schwager at an Oakland town council meeting this September, has launched their new website, ThinkOakland.org.

The website, providing a preview of things to come, offers businesses and residents participation in what is described as “a new kind of value to businesses and the larger community”.

Describing the “power of place”, the OBA is hoping to meet the needs of today’s business owners by fostering collaboration and cooperation among the various commercial entities serving Oakland. “Competitive advantages in a global economy often are found in local things—knowledge, relationships, and motivations….Knowledge is improved through the act of sharing; in today’s market, a business’s ability to compete depends on its ability to build partnerships that share mutual goals, benefits, and knowledge.”

The Oakland Business Association (OBA) is encouraging involvement of both businesses and residents in an effort to promote a sustainable local economy. For residents, the website plans to offer sections devoted to local sales, specials, discounts, coupons and promotions.

The website also plans to offer sections on events, business news, and a featured business section. According to the website, “One of the primary goals of the OBA is to make Oakland better, and this involves providing a value to the residents of Oakland and the surrounding communities.”

Businesses can register now with the OBA, and no membership fees will apply for the first six months. The Oakland Business Association plans on offering three tiers of membership with pricing that makes it accessible to a wider range of businesses. They are seeking involvement with any commercial endeavors doing business in Oakland: retail, restaurants, professionals, contractors, home-based, industrial, wholesalers, and artisans.

Oakland Business Association president, Charles McCormick, describes the new OBA as a mix between the traditional Chamber of Commerce and the needs of the 21st century. “Most local chambers of commerce have devolved into nothing more than charitable organizations; they forgot their roots which was to help promote and advocate for business. We need to get back to our roots and build a new model for the 21st century”.

McCormick says that the new OBA board has yet to decide on a fee membership structure, but that options will make it affordable to any business who had no interest in joining old chamber of commerce because  of the cost.

“Oakland’s previous chamber of commerce, over the last several years, was providing no value  to members, and little value to the town – and that’s why it no longer exists. The new OBA will be offering local businesses tangible benefits, and residents of Oakland a real reason to think Oakland first for shopping and services. For membership fees, we’re thinking 3 choices of $50, $100, and $150, but the board has not finalized anything – but businesses should sign-up now for the free six months.”

“Business in Oakland is a big part of our social fabric”, says McCormick. ” A lot of owners are residents of Oakland, and even those who are not, they still believe in making Oakland better. The more vital the business community is, the more able they are to help make Oakland a better community. The OBA is an association of businesses, but we’re also partners with the residents. We want to give value to the residents, ThinkOakland.org is just the first step.”