Photo courtesy of the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Citrus Heights and in collaboration with the Citrus Heights Police Department (CHPD), is proud to announce the launch of Citrus Heights Business Watch, a new citywide initiative designed to strengthen communication, build connections and create a more informed, engaged and resilient business community.

Built around the simple idea of “Businesses Looking Out for Businesses,” Citrus Heights Business Watch will bring businesses together with the Chamber, CHPD and community representatives to share information, identify trends and concerns, and ensure businesses know where to turn when they need assistance or resources.

“Our businesses are stronger when they are connected, not only to the Chamber and our Police Department, but to one another,” said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheri Merrick. “Business Watch is about creating those connections before there is a problem. When businesses communicate, share information and know the resources available to them, we strengthen our entire community.”

Citrus Heights Business Watch is designed to complement, not replace existing security programs or services offered by individual businesses, shopping centers or business districts. The program creates an additional layer of communication and collaboration throughout the city, while providing businesses with connections to the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce and Citrus Heights Police Department as key resources.

Representatives from shopping centers, business districts and other community partners will also be encouraged to participate, helping ensure information flows throughout Citrus Heights and businesses across the city have a voice at the table.

Through regular Business Watch meetings and ongoing communication, participants will have opportunities to learn about emerging safety concerns and trends impacting local businesses, hear directly from CHPD and other relevant resources, share concerns and observations from their respective business areas, build relationships with neighboring businesses and community partners, better understand available resources and how to access them, and work collaboratively on proactive solutions that support a safer and stronger business environment.

Before the program officially gets underway, the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce will host two informational meetings in September to share the vision for Citrus Heights Business Watch and, most importantly, hear directly from the people it is intended to serve.

Meetings will take place Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 2 to 3 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Both meetings will be held at the Citrus Heights Event Center, 6300 Fountain Square Drive.

Business owners, property owners and property managers throughout Citrus Heights are strongly encouraged to attend. Participants do not need to be members of the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce.

“These informational meetings are an important part of building this program,” Merrick said. “We have a vision for what Citrus Heights Business Watch can become, but we also want to listen. The people who own, operate and manage businesses and properties in our city understand the challenges they face every day. We want their input so we can build a program that provides meaningful support, useful information and stronger connections.”

The meetings will provide an opportunity to learn more about the proposed structure and goals of Citrus Heights Business Watch, ask questions, share experiences and provide feedback about the issues and resources that would be most valuable to the local business community.

“This isn’t about creating another layer of bureaucracy—it’s about creating another layer of connection,” Merrick added. “A business owner shouldn’t feel like they are facing a challenge alone. We want businesses throughout Citrus Heights to know they have a network, they have resources and they have a community standing alongside them.”

The Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce encourages businesses and property representatives from throughout the city to participate and help shape the future of Citrus Heights Business Watch.

About the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce

The Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce has been serving as a champion for the local business community by connecting businesses, providing resources, creating opportunities and advocating for a strong economic environment since 1958. Through partnerships, education, advocacy and community engagement, the Chamber works to help businesses thrive while contributing to a stronger Citrus Heights.