CPNBA Strives to Progress Under AMIBA Umbrella

The College Park Neighborhood Business Alliance (CPNBA), newly formalized under the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) is seeking ways to promote the community’s focus on local businesses.

CPNBA -- a group that represents local, independently owned businesses -- held its first open informational meeting since becoming incorporated with AMIBA on Wednesday.

AMIBA is a national non-profit organization that aims to help communities successfully launch and operate local independent business alliances.

Under AMIBA's incorporation, the alliance hopes to focus less on widespread franchises and more on local business in order to maintain the character of the community and create a strong local economy.

One of the projects discussed at the meeting was a “Buy Local Challenge,” which is a one or two week period that would promote local business sales -- something the CPNBA believes would appeal to the students of College Park.

“A passport would be available and students can go around to local businesses and get a stamp,” Chrissy Rey, CPNBA acting director said. “Once participants get the eligible number of stamps, they can enter a drawing.”

CPNBA officially became incorporated in July, having been functioning informally since February without the affiliation.

Rey described the change as a step forward from the previous informal meetings and lack of direction.

“We have more formalized memberships and we’ve limited memberships to local, independent businesses,” Rey said.

The alliance is now seeking seven to 13 board members in order to improve efficiency at decision-making, and shared the AMIBA expectations of board members and the board member agreement along with the bylaws of CPNBA among the local businesses at the meeting.

Represented at the meeting were , Honey Glow, On Cloud 9, and the College Park Arts Exchange, among others.

CPNBA has also planned on being a part of Berwyn Day on September 10; the First Look Fair from Sept. 14-15; and College Park Day on Oct. 22.

Local independent businesses are encouraged to attend open meetings and join the mailing list at www.cpnba.org.