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The City partners with several leading organizations across Raleigh to foster entrepreneurship and innovation while contributing to Raleigh’s vibrant business community. Our business alliances allow businesses to connect and engage with an ecosystem of other businesses to help fuel growth.
Business Alliances are organizations that focus on the success of small business owners. No two are alike, but all have a passion for local independent businesses. Common services offered by Business Alliance Organizations include:
- Vendor events and listings in directories
- Promotion, marketing, and advertising
- Networking, partnership, and training opportunities
- Research, planning and advocacy
Find an Alliance
Enter your address in the interactive map below to find the group that is closest to you or scroll down the page for more information.
These alliances are grouped by two general types:
- District-Based: These organizations support a defined territory inside the City of Raleigh. Examples include Downtown Raleigh Alliance, Hillsborough Street Community Service Corp, Midtown Raleigh Alliance and Glenwood South Neighborhood Collective.
- City-Wide Support: These organizations cater to businesses across the City of Raleigh. Examples include Harmony, Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, North Carolina Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce, Shop Local Raleigh, etc.
Organization | Free Support | New Business Support | Training Resources | Networking Events | Vendor Events | Small Business Promotion |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Downtown Raleigh Alliance | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Five Points Business District | X | X | ||||
Glenwood South Neighborhood Collaborative | X | X | X | X | ||
Hillsborough Street Community Service Corporation | X | X | X | X | X | |
Midtown Raleigh Alliance | X | X | X | X | ||
North Raleigh Chamber of Commerce | X | X | X | X | X | |
Southeast Raleigh Promise | X | X | ||||
Carolinas AAPI Business Alliance | ||||||
Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau | X | X | X | |||
Harmony LGBT Chamber of Commerce | X | X | X | X | ||
North Carolina Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce | X | X | X | X | X | |
Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce | X | X | X | |||
Shop Local Raleigh | X | X | X | X | X | |
Triangle ArtWorks | X | X | X | X | X | |
West Raleigh | X | X | X |
Citywide Alliances
Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Raleigh Chamber builds a thriving regional economy, enhances the community’s quality of life, and strengthens member businesses as the Triangle’s largest business membership organization with more than 2,200 firms.
North Carolina Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce
The mission of the Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce is to be the motivating force in educating, advocating, leading, and promoting current and future economic diversity and business and workforce development throughout our entrepreneurship and small business center, educational center, Corporate Program, and Professional Program
Harmony: NC LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
Harmony: NC LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce is where Triangle LGBTQ+ individuals, professional and business communities connect through in-person and virtual events.
Shop Local Raleigh
Shop Local Raleigh, a non-profit that works to connect, promote and supports locally-owned, independent businesses all throughout Wake Co. They offer training, special events, member to member opportunities, one-on-one help, advertising opportunities and more.
Triangle ArtWorks
Triangle ArtWorks brings area artists, businesses, and nonprofits together. They host workshops and training for artists, art businesses and nonprofits in topics such as entrepreneurship, marketing, business development, accounting, legal issues, as well as networking and other peer support events.
Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau
The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau serves as the official and accredited destination marketing organization (DMO) for Wake County. The Bureau’s vision is to be the leading advocate for visitors and a regional leader in destination marketing and product development in Raleigh, N.C. As Wake County continues its dynamic growth, strong alliances and seamless cooperation with local partners will remain a cornerstone of its success.
Carolinas AAPI Chamber of Commerce
Carolinas AAPI Chamber of Commerce (CABA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the economic growth and development of AAPI businesses in the Carolinas. Members include entrepreneurs, small business owners, professionals, and community leaders from diverse industries and backgrounds. Together, CABA works to advance the interests of the community and create a more inclusive and prosperous future.
District-Based Alliances
Some business groups serve specific districts and geographic areas within Raleigh. These groups offer services to promote and drive business activity and foot traffic to these corridors.
West Raleigh
West Raleigh, formerly known as the Blue Ridge Corridor Alliance, is an independent non-profit created by the public entities and private organizations of the Greater Blue Ridge Corridor. It is a contributor-based organization comprised of property owners, businesses, landmark institutions and residents.
Area boundaries: West Raleigh primarily focuses on the region bordered by I-40/Edwards Mill Rd. to the west, I-440 to the east, Western Blvd. to the south and culminating near the intersection of Edwards Mill Rd. and Blue Ridge Rd. to the north.
Hillsborough Street Community Services Corporation
The Hillsborough Street Community Service Corporation (HSCSC) is an independent, not for profit, municipal service district that began providing services and programs in the fall of 2010. The district was created by the City of Raleigh in partnership with N.C. State University and the property owners, merchants and residents on and around Hillsborough Street.
HSCSC annually provides a range of services and programs that help to make the Hillsborough Street community a better place to live, work, play, shop, dine, learn and visit, including: cleaning, security, beautification, marketing and communications, economic development, special events and tourism, planning and advocacy, parking and transportation, research, arts and community.
Area boundaries: The HSCSC territory is a 3-mile long corridor that runs on both sides of Hillsborough Street, from St. Mary’s School to Meredith College and the I440 Beltline (including Morgan St., a few side streets and connections with the Village District). The territory includes a diverse collection of businesses, organizations, institutions and residential options.
Downtown Raleigh Alliance
Founded in 1996, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA) serves as the administrator of the Downtown Raleigh Municipal Services District (MSD), which is a defined special assessment district in which property owners contribute toward enhanced services. The management and maintenance of the public realm, via the DRA Ambassador program and Downtown Clean Team (City of Raleigh managed), account for some of the major investments made possible through the MSD. Other program investments include storefront recruitment, business retention, and community engagement programs. The DRA also leverages MSD funds in a variety of ways through marketing, communications, and promotional campaigns to attract more customers to support the development of the district.
Glenwood South Neighborhood Collaborative
Formed in November 2013, the Glenwood South Neighborhood Collaborative’s (GSNC) goals are to bring residents and merchants together to strengthen the community and to develop models for communication and collaboration around issues affecting the neighborhood.
Five Points Business District Association
The Five Points Business District Association is a non-profit merchants association with the purpose of organizing, supporting, encouraging, and motivating about 60 merchants, service providers, food and beverage destination establishments, shops, and commercial businesses.
Area boundaries: A half-mile radius from the historic Five Points intersection of Whitaker Mill Road, Fairview Road, and Glenwood Avenue.
Midtown Raleigh Alliance
The Midtown Raleigh Alliance, promotes the Midtown as a destination for economic development. The Alliance brings together stakeholders and creates a forum for quality of life issues, solutions and advocacy to state and local governments.
The Midtown Raleigh Alliance also provides social and networking opportunities for members.
North Raleigh Chamber
The North Raleigh Chamber of Commerce provides the businesses serving North Raleigh a platform for networking, education, and the ability to speak through a committed, strong, combined voice.
Southeast Raleigh Promise
Southeast Raleigh Promise serves alongside neighbors, strategic partners, and funders to ensure that Southeast Raleigh residents have access to equitable opportunities to grow, thrive, and prosper.