Rising Capital LLC, a New Jersey-based self-storage developer, has joined StoreLocal Corp., a co-operative of private self-storage operators in Canada and the United States, as a founding member. The company is developing a portfolio of storage sites to add to StoreLocal’s membership of more than 775 facilities, according to a press release.

“As I’ve watched StoreLocal’s dramatic growth over the past two years, it’s been impressive to see how well they’re delivering on their mission of helping independents compete effectively with the increasingly sophisticated public companies,” said Craig Karasin, founder of Rising Capital. “The combination of cost-savings through group buying, technology to improve operations, and education to manage better seems to me exactly what is needed for their members to continue to prosper in this changing industry. As I then learned about StoreLocal’s many exciting plans for the future, I felt that I could bring a lot of value to help the organization move forward, so I welcomed the opportunity to become a founder.”

Every prospective founder is subject to an approval process by the StoreLocal Board of Directors, and the co-op’s bylaws limit founder membership to 30 companies. Rising Capital is the 25th company to receive the honor, and more companies are under active consideration, the release stated.

“We are pleased to add Rising Capital to our list of distinguished founding StoreLocal members, and look forward to working with Craig as he builds his portfolio and uses the tools available to him that will help trim operational costs, increase his profit and provide his customers with the highest standard of service,” said StoreLocal CEO Lance Watkins. “Craig is a dynamic person who has built businesses, launched innovative new products—literally including a better mousetrap—and also coached others on business success. Quite simply, the future of self-storage is in the people like Craig and the technology that powers it.”

StoreLocal leverages the combined strength of its membership for services such as customer acquisition, financing, marketing and technology, according to the release.

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