NBA Meetings are continuing to be a success, and you are invited to the next meeting! Most NBA Meetings have moved to MORNINGS. 

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Here is the  Quarterly NBA report and Meeting Notes are at the end!

Niwot Business Association

Quarterly Report January 2025

ATTENDEES

See list
NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT

It’s the start to a New Year!  THe NBA has many exciting events coming up in 2025.  From familiar events such as Holiday Magic, Honeybee Festival, and Fourth of July to summer concerts and to new events, the NBA is looking forward to 2025. Also, the NBA will have a new President for 2025 as well as a new Treasurer and Secretary. These changes will allow the NBA to continue to develop and grow with new thoughts and ideas. Your ideas are welcome! Come be a part of the NBA!

NOTES FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT

Holiday magic was a hit – with overall positive feedback from Storefronts, restaurants, visiting vendors and attendees. We had record numbers at the holiday fayre 796 shoppers at the first Saturday and 804 shoppers on the second fayre. One of the Rebecca Folsom concerts sold out and the matinee was a huge hit also.

Looking forward to a great 2025! Happy New Year!

NOTES FROM THE SECRETARY

ACCESS TO MONTHLY MEETING NOTES

If you wish previous reports,  NBA bylaws, or meeting notes, please send your request to [email protected]

The January  meeting will be on Tuesday January 14th, 830am at Left Hand Grange and will be sponsored by Porchfront Homes. Learn more about Porchfront Homes at https://porchfronthomes.com/. For this meeting, the NBA WILL BE INDOORS! For this meeting, the NBA will be discussing upcoming NBA elections and networking. 

The NBA Board of Directors has volunteer positions to be filled and, if you are interested in these positions, or to learn more, please email [email protected].  

 Please read about the NBA Exec Board positions here Succession Planning/Primer for NBA Executive Board Final Version 

ELECTIONS WILL BE IN FEBRUARY 2025 for the NBA EXECUTIVE BOARD!  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN POSITIONS, PLEASE REACH OUT TO [email protected]

The meeting schedule has been emailed to each of you, and please reach out to [email protected] if you wish a paper copy.  It is also listed below.

For at least the winter months of 2025, NBA Meetings will be at 8:30am to meet NBA member’s busy schedules. 

FOR 2025, I WILL BE REACHING OUT TO BUSINESSES TO HOST MEETINGS AT THEIR BUSINESS FOR SOME MONTHS. THE NBA MEETINGS WILL BE ABOUT NETWORKING AND DISCUSSING BUSINESS CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES EACH MONTH. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HOST, PLEASE REACH OUT TO [email protected]

For 2025, there will NOT be a monthly report sent to NBA members and a QUARTERLY REPORT will be sent to each NBA member instead in January, April, July, and October. Monthly meetings will be used to discuss a topic relevant to all businesses, and there will be time for NBA members to ask questions. There will be 3 topics in 2025 including marketing and self defense for your business (bring your teams!) and updates to the Niwot Master Plan.

If you have a topic that you would like discussed, or if you would like to be a speaker, please reach out to [email protected]. 

NOTES FROM MEMBERSHIP

• Membership Dues are due for 2025! In 2024 dues exceeded $21,000.   Thanks to all of you for your continuing support of the Niwot Business Association!   
• Remember that with your membership, you have access to weekly advertising in the Niwot Newsletter. If you need help taking advantage of this, please reach out to [email protected] so that we can help you get the most out of your membership! 

NOTES FROM NIWOT MARKETING

We are now up to nearly 3,000 subscribers for our weekly email! If you have any email addresses to share, please forward them to [email protected] 

The marketing committee would love to add a few more members and welcome anyone interested in joining to please email [email protected] for more information or to answer any questions. 

NOTES FROM 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF NIWOT COMMITTEE

Laura Skaggs is chairing Niwot’s 150th Anniversary Committee. Niwot was first platted on March 30, 1875. A banner has been designed by Angie Miltersen at Few of a Kind Vintage for use on all publicity for Niwot events in 2025.  Event organizers are asked to incorporate a celebration of Niwot’s 150-year history in the existing events in Niwot. Stay tuned for more details. 

NOTES FROM TREE CARVING COMMITTEE:

Eddie Running Wolf’s Tree Carving:  

The Spear Lodge Man tree sculpture was cut down on Saturday, Oct 3, 2021 and was moved to Jeff Wolcott’s bay late Fall on Niwot Road. Repairs to Spear Lodge Man have been completed by Dustin Wolf, son of Eddie Running Wolf, with the assistance of Jeff Wolcott.The sculpture will have a NEW home, at Left Hand Valley Grange Park and a permanent structure will be built to protect it and the other two tree carvings from the elements.  Maquettes that are 18-24 inches tall are being designed to be sold to help fund this project. This is a NEW Link to video about the repairs https://niwotsculptures.weebly.com/#/

Now that restoration of Spear Lodge Man is complete, and Dustin Wolf continues to work on restoring Cheyenne Holy Man and Eagle Catcher. The NCAA recently received a grant of $25,000 from the Boulder County Parks & Open Space Foundation towards the cost of creating a structure to permanently protect the tree carvings. The Dec. 2nd community meeting and surveys provided positive feedback on the selected location. The next step is obtaining a license agreement from Boulder County Parks & Open Space for placement of the tree carvings and structure in Left Hand Valley Grange Park. 

Maquettes

The project to have maquettes of Eddie Running Wolf’s Tree Carving is coming into being. Dave Lee and the class at CU have made 3D print images of this sculpture. Thank you to Dave Lee! Here, also, is a link with a video about restoration. https://niwotsculptures.weebly.com/

NOTES FROM VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

• Alison Steele of Niwot Market is the NBA Volunteer Coordinator. Volunteers are what makes Niwot hum with zest and activities all year long! 
• Interested in serving the community with us?  Have a youth group or student in mind to volunteer?                                                                                                Contact Alison Steele at [email protected]
• Other ideas for events? Reach out to any of the NBA Board members by clicking on any of the email addresses in this report, or by contacting [email protected]

NOTES FROM ROCK & RAILS

• As a reminder for 2025, NBA members are required to volunteer at Rock & Rails as part of the NBA/NCA joint agreement. Please mark your calendars NOW for Thursday night volunteer shifts for 2025, starting June 5th. 
•  

NOTES FROM EDUCATION OUTREACH

This position is open for applicants. 

To reach out for linking your business with Niwot High for mentorship or jobs, reach out to Adam Lotito [email protected]

NOTES FROM THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR

Happy New Year! I just want to thank all of you so much for welcoming me and working with me this last year. I hope you felt supported with your membership, business, and marketing options and I am excited for what 2025 will bring. I am always available if you need assistance in getting your business listing updated on the website or help with weekly advertising. Advertising stats have been shared with those who have been using this feature, and if you ever need more information, please reach out. You can reach me at [email protected] 

NOTES FROM TREASURER

We had a great year!  Under budget for the NBA operations.  Our event Champions did a great job and instead of contributing to events, the NBA was able to gain additional funds in the amount of $4600 from the events.   Preliminary year end statement is shown at the bottom of this report.  The only unknown is the Rock and Rails revenue this year.  Specific questions about the NBA budget can be directed to [email protected].

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE L.I.D. Strategic Plan

Meeting Notes:

January 14, 2025 NBA Meeting 

Eric Bergeson opened the meeting by thanking Niwot Hall(formerly Left Hand Grange) and Mary and Tim Coonce of Porchfront Homes for hosting and sponsoring the NBA. The NBA Meetings have mostly moved to 8:30am on the second Tuesday of each month, and attendance has increased. Mary Coonce announced that  Brett Steury and Ben Beveridge and Becca Negrete and Mica Byrne have become the new owners of Porchfront Homes. 

Mary noted the Sesquicentennial of Niwot is this year 2025! Learn more at https://www.lhvc.com/story/2024/12/11/news/niwot-plans-to-celebrate-150-year-anniversary/9993.html?mc_cid=6dc09a701f and Angie Miltersen of Few of a Kind have a logo for this amazing celebration. See this and please use it in your business social media and newsletters to spread the buzz: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OYw9MPXGGymtavmFrqnT1uo1UNZXfBwo?mc_cid=6dc09a701f

Eric asked for new members. Kim Reiber of the Bank of Estes Park introduced herself. Her job is to get out in the community and help businesses in Niwot. She is invested in local banking and building community. Come visit her at Bank of Estes ParkShe was complimented as already making a difference in the outreach of Bank of Estes Park. 

Euvaldo and Helen Valdez spoke. He introduced himself as a building owner in Niwot and Vicky Dorvee from the NCA have been working to get the entrance points to Niwot spruced up and they have succeeded in making the Niwot Road from Hwy 119 more appealing. Landscaping has been approved by the L.I.D. and  Vicky wanted to speak to the NBA about improving the first block from Hwy 119 to Franklin Street. Neighbors along this stretch have been talked to and are invested in this project.Euvaldo and Vicky are asking the NBA and L.I.D. for some funds, and neighbors will also contribute for their properties. 

Wine about Winter is Feb 8th. There will be about 800 visitors in town, and tickets are at Eventbrite.  Join in the fun! Link for tickets is here : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lets-wine-about-winter-in-niwot-2025-tickets-1114154799999 

Niwot Wellness Fair is coming! Many businesses are going to showcase what they do. Come see! Learn more here: https://niwot.com/events/niwot-annual-health-wellness-fair/ 

June 21 Jazz Fest and you are welcome to set up a table or booth or food truck with no entry cost if you are part of the NBA. Learn more here: https://www.bandsintown.com/f/165938?came_from=253&utm_medium=web&utm_source=city_page&utm_campaign=festival Reach out to Gene to showcase your business at [email protected] 

Eric spoke about Farow closing down. Revenues in Niwot businesses have ratcheted down in Niwot overall, and part of rising costs in the Unincorporated Boulder County is the minimum wage increase. Currently, Niwot is part of the highest minimum wage in the country. To offset this, the NBA has created a task force to try to put pressure on the Boulder County Commissioners to prevent further increases. Eric encouraged businesses to be vocal about this increased wage. A few business owners commented that already they are having decreased profits and that this is not the way to start 2025. While the community piece of Niwot is wonderful, and while the Boulder County Commissioners thought they were being leaders and helping lower wage employees, they did not consider how this would affect small businesses.

Kristina Burgoon of studio kyanite  https://www.instagram.com/studiokyanite/ spoke about social media and how to make it work for your business.  She specializes in small businesses and understands that small businesses are not large businesses. The key to social media is to listen, engage, and build relationships to build trust within your brand so that people share your information with other like minded people. 

She spoke about Instagram, Facebook with a broad demographic and discovering local events. X (formerly Twitter) is real time news and Linked In is to network within your industry. 

She focused on Instagram and Facebook. She reviewed the toolkit on them; since they are owned by the same entity, the toolkit is the same. Feed posts are static images that stay on your feed. To create stories, these are temporary posts. You can use these for personal sides of your business to reach out to people, and they do not stay forever on your feed. Think about showing a bit of who you are. Reels are short form video content to catch attention. Direct messages are to reach out to individuals one by one. On Facebook, you can link to groups where people with shared interests can go. Use these to link to local people with your feed…consider if you are a restaurant to link to local foodie groups, etc. 

She showed how the Niwot Business communities use Facebook…use a reel to show people shopping at your store and highlight someone finding a great item in your store. Use the story feature to promote an event your business is going to do and link it to other businesses so they can share it. 

She talked about content pillars, as creating content can be the overwhelming part. She used a coffee shop as an example. Use the story feature to show a quick tutorial on how to make the perfect latte. Use a “behind the scenes” take and show people something they don’t know. Think of ways to show “here’s the drink of the week”. Link to community by showing how you link to the Niwot community. Take these ideas, then pick a day each week to do each of these…educate one day, create a “day in the life” day, showcase something your business sells another day, post a poll one day per week “have you ever had a rose latte?” etc. Take 1 hr a week and put these together and with regular posts, people will start to follow you. Consistency helps! Remember that some of your posts will not get shared, and don’t be down about that . If you can have 1 post every 2 months that gets shared a lot, you have succeeded! She does suggest boosting posts and resharing posts. She suggests checking the analytics for posts. 

Use the tools the NBA offers….post in the weekly newsletter to get to over 3000 local people, link to the NBA instagram and facebook pages, etc. While there are regular businesses that submit, remember that your business can change it up and reach over 3000 people! Anything you send in (a graphic, etc) gets posted in multiple ways and has a huge outreach! If you want help with a graphic, please reach out to Angela Hudgins at [email protected]. 

Meeting adjourned at 9:35am.nb