Nicole Rosberg, the new director of the Wells Area Chamber of Commerce, sits at her desk in the Chamber office. She took over her duties on Jan. 7.

There is a new executive director of the Wells Area Chamber of Commerce, but she is pretty familiar to the Wells community.

Nicole Rosberg took on the position on Jan. 7.

“I was encouraged by a couple of Chamber board members to apply,” Rosberg says. “After giving it some thought, I decided to do it, and I was hired.”

Rosberg has been active in the Wells and surrounding business community for quite a few years.

She was born in, and graduated from high school in, Albert Lea. But she has spent many years living in Faribault County.

“I have been a small business owner for quite a few years,” Rosberg says. “And as a small business owner, I understand the needs of other small business owners.”

Rosberg is going to continue to be a small business owner in Wells.

She started out in 2011 when she purchased the Kiester-Bricelyn Courier Sentinel newspaper. In 2019 that newspaper combined with the Wells Mirror to form the South Central News, operated by Rosberg and Heather Goldman.

About a year ago, Rosberg left the newspaper operation and purchased a flower shop on Wells’ Main Street. She has since expanded the operation and named it ‘Country Roads Floral, Boutique and Gifts.’

She will still be active in her store, as well as doing the Chamber work.

“I will be in the Chamber office five days a week, from 8 to 11 each morning,” Rosberg says. “Then I will be at my store from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.”

She might not always be in her Chamber office in the mornings, however. The new Chamber director plans to get out in the community and visit businesses for a few hours each week.

“I want to visit them, take them some donuts, and tell them about the Chamber and ask them what they would like the Chamber to do for them,” she explains. “I told the board during my interview that I am a bit outspoken and they said they felt that was something that was needed.”

There are 12 Chamber board members and Rosberg feels they are all strong, active members.

“About half of them are business owners, or else they run or manage businesses,” she adds. “They are all very active in our community.”

She says she wants to work with them to set up goals for the year, and that could include redefining what the Chamber is.

“We need to look at how do we promote the Wells area,” Rosberg says. “And that would include the towns in the USC School District, too.”

Rosberg also wants to work closely with the city councils, the local EDAs (economic development authority) and the county EDA, among others.

“We all need to be invested in our community,” Rosberg explains. “Maybe we need to rethink our business plans, use some creativity to get folks in the doors for businesses big and small.”

She realizes that COVID, for instance, was a big hit on many businesses, when people started shopping online and getting things delivered to their front door.

“If we are going to keep our small towns alive, we may need some type of “wow factor” to do it,” she explains. “I want us all to be invested in our communities.”

She has her own personal goal as the new Chamber director.

“I would like to see us fill three store fronts with new retail businesses and a new restaurant,” Rosberg says. “There are five buildings in downtown and we need to fill them.”

She has already had one inquiry from an out-of-town couple looking for space for a restaurant.

“I want the Chamber to be a resource for people,” she says. “I want to promote that idea.”

Rosberg says she has always had a lot of energy and doesn’t like to be idle. At home, she says, it is just her and the dog. Her three grown daughters have moved on and live in three different states.

Aly goes to college in South Dakota, Sam goes to college in Wisconsin and Ryley lives and works in Mankato.

Rosberg is ready and excited to get to work with the Chamber and help out wherever she can. Right now she is busy trying to get things organized for the Wells Chamber’s main fundraiser – Vegas Night, which will be on March 9.

“I’m ready to work to help promote the Wells area,” Rosberg says. “I’m from this community, I live in this community and I am invested in the future of this community.”