Mission

The EMCE is an inclusive community group organized to support Ester-area businesses, artists, craftspeople, and professionals in their promotional and organizational needs. We have come together to share ideas and resources for the community's economic and social benefit.

Our tongue-in-cheek name was chosen to remind us not to get too stuffy or concerned with profit above all—most of us are in business because we love what we do, and it is fun. To avoid becoming a humdrum money-grubbing group, we needed a name that is so obviously beyond our scope that we remain humble, to remind us of the essential purpose of our commercial enterprises: to make a worthy living doing what we enjoy best, in a way that enriches our community.

Who can ask for more than that?

Eligibility Requirements

• Members must be residents of the Ester Fire Service District

• Member businesses must be locally owned and based. Offices may be elsewhere in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, but as our purpose is to support and encourage Ester enterprises, community spirit and mutual support is important.

• Member business owners must participate in at least some EMCE or community support activities. This includes publicity efforts, community activities such as the crafts market or Planting Day, or other economic and community-oriented events. A certain amount of activism and effort on behalf of the community and the EMCE is expected from EMCE members.

Cost for a website listing

Listing on the website is separate from membership in the EMCE. Listing costs $20 per year, paid to:

Deirdre Helfferich (webmistress), PO Box 3, Ester, AK 99725

Please contact the webmistress as soon as possible to get your business included here!

Benefits

• Option for listing on the EMCE website, with description of your business offerings, link to your website or e-mail, and your contact information

• Participation in the Ester Village Farmers and Craft Market

• Notification of EMCE activities, designed to benefit the community and Ester businesses

• Alerts to EMCE advertising opportunities, such as the Ester walking map

• Satisfaction in knowing that one's enterprise is helping to strengthen and support the Ester community

Ester Lawnchair Drill Team, 4th of July. Photo by Monique Musick © 2007.