Efforts are under way to help Grand Valley businesses welcome students back to Colorado Mesa University and in turn foster the relationship between the business community and CMU.

“We are putting out the welcome mat to show students and faculty that CMU is important to us as members of the business community and that we value their business,” said Diane Schwenke, president and chief executive of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce.

Volunteers from the Grand Junction Chamber Diplomats and CMU Alumni Association have joined business associations in distributing CMU-related materials to area businesses.

Their goal is to visit 1,000 businesses before the start of the fall semester at CMU on Aug. 21. Businesses also are welcome to pick up materials from the chamber office located at 360 Grand Ave.

The materials including a window cling that reads “We are CMU” that businesses are encouraged to display on a door or window.

The materials also include a CMU magazine offering information about campus activities and the upcoming homecoming celebration.

In addition, the materials include a card and brochure about CMU 20000, an initiative of the chamber and CMU to increase enrollment to 15,000 while enlisting 5,000 supporters. The goal is to promote the additional growth of CMU, an institution that contributes an estimated $450 million annually to the regional economy and plays a role in workforce development.