Businesses, customers connect on Stanislaus, Merced, San Joaquin marketplace hub
Thanks to a grant from North Valley Thrive’s Catalyst fund, Central Valley businesses and customers now have a free online resource to help them find ways to more easily shop and use local services.
The North Valley Biz Connect Marketplace was launched in July. More than just a business listing service, the marketplace aims to be the central hub to discover and support local businesses across Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Merced counties.
“This represents the Central Valley region right here; it’s a one-stop shop for all the businesses, and the access to those businesses, services, and providers,” said Trish Christensen, president and CEO of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce.
Christensen recognized the need for a tool that gives businesses entrepreneurial support and greater visibility to connect with potential customers.
A few years ago, she created Shop Greater Modesto, a similar page of local merchants and services in Modesto. But the page was limited in how it could empower businesses to connect directly with their customers.
“We had a hard time lifting it to the volume that we anticipated, because it was so city-centric in title. It wasn’t broad enough, and we wanted to do more,” she said. The Shop Greater Modesto site has transitioned into North Valley Biz Connect.
Last year, North Valley Thrive announced $9 million in grants through its Catalyst fund, and 21 recipients were selected from 72 applicants. Christensen secured $450,000 to launch the project.
Founding partners include the Modesto Chamber of Commerce, city of Modesto, Lodi Chamber of Commerce, Stanislaus Equity Partners, Building Industry Association of the Greater Valley, Small Business Development Center San Joaquin, the Turlock Chamber of Commerce and Nurture.
The site is a business listing, but with many more tools and functions that feel more like a social media application.
Businesses can create a profile and post updates and events. Services can be booked through a business’ profile, and there will be an expanded e-commerce function in the future to sell through the site.
Customers can make posts to find services, and businesses can reach out to them directly with price quotes and information.
Christensen said there are more tools in the works, including AI support to help businesses create listings and posts.
Customers can also search for services based on specific demographics to support underserved communities, like finding businesses that are owned and operated by minorities, veterans and women, among others.
“Our community isn’t just English or Spanish speaking; there’s a lot of culture here,” Christensen said. “So they went to work to figure out how to get more languages on there, and you can translate the function into 13 different languages.”
There are about 1,400 businesses on the marketplace listed across the three counties, though Merced County is the least represented. Christensen said she has partnered with two agencies in Merced to increase the listings in that region.
“This is the local landing spot to find everything they need that is a complete representation of all the businesses that we have in our tri-county region that can elevate economic prosperity for all and make a difference for our communities simultaneously,” Christensen said.
For more information, visit www.nvbc.membermarketplaceinc.com.
