Associate Membership

Any business or person interested in supporting the goals, mission and activities of the College Area Business District can apply to be an Associate Member of the College Area Business District. Associate Members can enjoy participation in the committees, projects and programs offered to the general membership. Associate Members are not eligible to serve on the Board of Directors, however, our real work is done through our committees. Participation in our committees is recommended and can be very rewarding!

Below is a brief overview of our organization, an introduction to Associate Membership, details on the application process, and our current due’s structure. After reviewing this information, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Executive Director, Jim Schneider, at jim@collegeareasd.com.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The College Area Economic Development Corporation—commonly known as the College Area Business District—is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1996. We serve as a business promotion and advocacy organization supporting the needs of small business owners and commercial property owners within our district.

Our district boundaries include:

El Cajon Boulevard between 54th Street and 73rd Street
Montezuma Road north of El Cajon Boulevard
College Avenue north of El Cajon Boulevard, including businesses located on the San Diego State University campus.

The organization is governed by a 17-member volunteer Board of Directors, elected annually by over 700 business and property owners within the district. Our activities are guided by various committees whose success depends on the active participation of our members, our most valued asset.

As an Associate Member, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing efforts to strengthen and enhance the College Area Business District, helping create an environment where all businesses can thrive. We encourage members to get involved through our committees, mixers, events, and other activities. The time commitment is small, but the benefits can be significant.

Associate Member Application & Annual Dues

Once you submit your Associate Member Application, it will be reviewed for approval at the next scheduled monthly Board Meeting. After approval, we will send you an invoice for your annual membership dues.

Annual Membership Dues
Associate Membership Dues are determined by the size of your business, measured by number of employees, and renewed on the first day of the month you originally joined:

No Employees or Home-Based Business: $120/year
Small Business (0–25 Employees): $240/year
Mid-Size Business (26–100 Employees): $360/year
Large Business (100+ Employees): $480/year

If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact our Executive Director, Jim Schneider via email at jim@collegeareasd.com. We look forward to having you on our team!

CLICK HERE TO APPLY TODAY!

WHY BECOME A MEMBER?

MARKETING & PROMOTION

Membership connects you to an engaged, supportive business community that offers opportunities for promotion, networking, advocacy, and growth.

What the College Area Business District provides depends on the active participation of its members. With your insight and collaboration, we can address the unique needs of College Area's small businesses and strengthen our collective impact.

This is a member-driven organization. Together, through active involvement and mutual support, we can make a meaningful difference for the College Area businesses and the College Area neighborhoods we serve.

MARKETING & PROMOTION

We promote the College Area and the businesses within it—locally and beyond.

Promotion includes:

We feature your business during major events like Taste of College Area
·We send out Weekly E-news (Monday Minute) and post consistent social media marketing
We offer opportunities for co-branded promotions and sponsorships
We celebrate and share your announcements, specials, and milestones

Benefit: Consistent visibility that brings new customers through your door.

nETWORKING

MARKETING & PROMOTION

aDVOCACY & sUPPORT

We create opportunities for you to connect with other businesses and community members.

What you get:

Opportunity to meet other College Area businesses at our quarterly Business Mixers
Opportunity to meet new businesses with Grand Opening Celebrations
Participation in public community events designed to drive foot traffic
Connections with neighboring businesses and community groups

Why it matters: Networking builds relationships, partnerships, sense of community and higher visibility—naturally and consistently.

aDVOCACY & sUPPORT

vISIBILITY & pRESENCE

aDVOCACY & sUPPORT

We represent your interests at the community and city level.

Support includes:

We advocate for business-friendly policies
We help you navigate permits, zoning, and other regulations
We offer assistance with public safety concerns
We facilitate direct communication with governmental offices

Why it’s valuable: You’re not alone—we help cut through red tape and ensure your voice is heard.

lOCAL b2b rEFERRALS

vISIBILITY & pRESENCE

With over 500 businesses in the district, we help you tap into a strong local ecosystem.

We provide:

Personalized business-to-business referrals
Connections with complementary businesses
Staff support to match you with local expertise
Encouragement of “shop local” across the community

Impact: More collaboration, new customers, and stronger local partnerships.

vISIBILITY & pRESENCE

You're more than a business—you’re part of the College Area identity.

Visibility perks:

Inclusion in our digital & interactive Business Directory and marketing promotions
Opportunities to participate in events and local campaigns
Recognition as part of the district’s thriving business community

Impact: A stronger presence and greater recognition from residents, visitors, and partners.

Associate Membership