Small businesses can now sign up to join the Charles River Regional Chamber for free.

The Chamber has launched Small Shops, an initiative that gives free basic membership to small brick-and-mortar businesses in Newton, Wellesley, Needham and Watertown so they can thrive in uncertain times.

“Our small independent retailers face many challenges, including competition from online shopping, soaring operating costs, staffing shortages and, now, worries about tariffs and overall economic instability,” Chamber President Greg Reibman wrote in announcing the program to the community.

Small business owners can email Tracey Antaya at membership@charlesriverchamber.com to see if they’re eligible for the Small Shops free membership.

And companies interested in underwriting the Small Shops program can contribute online.

“Small Shops removes financial barriers for local merchants to access certain chamber benefits, fostering a stronger, more vibrant business ecosystem,” Reibman wrote. “We’ll use the synergy of many retailers working together to promote the benefits of shopping locally; share best practices; and to better advocate for the needs of this essential segment of our economy.”

The Charles River Chamber adopted its current name in 2021, but it’s been serving Newton since 1915 and currently includes more than 1,000 businesses from Newton, Needham, Watertown and Wellesley.