Originally published in the Holiday Edition of LIVE.WORK.PLAY. Magazine, Author: Kristie Wells 

When Incline Village lost its traditional Chamber of Commerce more than a decade ago, something vital went missing — a unifying voice for businesses and a meeting ground for residents. Out of that gap, the Incline Community Business Association (ICBA) was formed in 2009 to keep connections alive. But it wasn’t until 2021, amid the isolation and economic strain of COVID, that the organization was reborn as IVCBA, the Incline Village Crystal Bay Community & Business Association. With renewed structure, funding, and vision, IVCBA set out not just to rebuild a chamber but to rebuild community — one that reflects the unique character, challenges, and spirit of Washoe Tahoe.

A Foundation for Connection

IVCBA’s story begins like many great community efforts – with a local business owner who saw a need and rallied others to fill it. After decades of volunteering in schools, service clubs, and local boards, and running her beloved shop, Dress The Party, Executive Director Linda Offerdahl helped relaunch IVCBA with a simple but powerful solution to the challenge that hobbles many small-town associations: sustainable funding.

Through a mix of founding and tiered memberships, IVCBA quickly earned the support of every major agency – a clear signal the region was ready for a home base of collaboration. From the start, IVCBA has focused on two priorities: economic vitality and civic engagement. The organization is intentionally apolitical; its mission is to educate and convene – to be the table where everyone can share ideas and turn them into action.

Rebuilding Local Communication

One of IVCBA’s greatest achievements has been rebuilding how Incline Village and Crystal Bay communicate. When the local newspaper folded, the community lost its central source of news. Today, IVCBA’s weekly Snapshot reaches more than 3,000 subscribers – residents, second homeowners, and businesses reconnected to the pulse of local life. It also links to regional outlets like the Tahoe Daily Tribune, keeping the community informed and engaged.

That same connective thread runs through the Merchant Map (spotlighting shops and services), the digital Vibe Map for quick wayfinding, Welcome Bags that introduce new residents to local resources, and Live.Work.Play, a magazine published three times a year featuring stories, news, and ways to get involved. Together, these touchpoints have restored a shared sense of identity and pride.

Addressing the Housing Challenge

If communication is the backbone, convening is the heart. “Whether it’s transportation, housing, or family advocacy, we work to bring all segments of our community to the table,” Offerdahl said.

When Washoe County completed its housing study and developed a regional roadmap, the ad hoc Washoe Tahoe Housing Partnership was dissolved, leaving a gap in local coordination. IVCBA stepped up to fill that void, forming a Housing Committee to keep workforce housing front and center. The issue remains complex, with no easy solutions, but the committee’s ongoing work ensures housing stays a visible priority for county officials and agencies supporting local residents.

Main Street Momentum

On the ground, IVCBA’s Main Street program is reshaping the look and feel of our town, one small victory at a time. The goal isn’t to change Incline’s character but to enhance it through walkability, beautification, and pride of place. The Incline to Bloom initiative first brought planters and seasonal décor to commercial corridors, and now thousands of daffodils are being planted across public spaces to brighten spring in the Village. A new community gathering area in Christmas Tree Village, funded in part by a Main Street grant, shows what’s possible when merchants, property owners, and volunteers work together. And stewardship of the Highway 28 roundabout, our gateway to the lake, ensures visitors and residents alike are greeted with care and welcome.

Celebrating Community Spirit

From Northern Lights Tahoe in December to the Local Heroes 4th of July Celebration, Restaurant Week in the spring, business mixers, and the growing Fall Fest, IVCBA’s events spark connection, conversation, and civic pride. Each gathering reminds us that when people show up, community grows – connections deepen, ideas take shape, and pride takes root.

The Power of Membership

IVCBA’s nimble, “pivot-on-a-dime” approach allows it to respond quickly to community needs – whether planting bulbs, hosting leadership receptions, or coordinating with agencies to solve problems. Its greatest achievement, though, is both simple and profound: IVCBA has given Incline Village and Crystal Bay a framework for positive collaboration among residents and businesses, nonprofits and agencies, full-time and part-time locals alike.

A thriving community isn’t built by one project or one person – it’s built by many hands working together for the place we all call home.

To keep this work growing, IVCBA invites everyone – business owners, nonprofits, agencies, and residents – to become members and help strengthen the fabric that connects us all. Because when Incline Village and Crystal Bay thrive, we all do.