"What is the Chamber doing for economic development?" I hear this more often than not. People wonder what the Chamber does to promote economic development for Southeast Volusia. I can tell you, "plenty."
A lot of what we do is behind the scenes traveling to Tallahassee, sifting through the legislation that is currently moving forward, attending and speaking at numerous city council or city commission boards, city economic development boards, and Volusia County Growth Management commission meetings.
We don’t tout our many supportive economic development activities because we are too busy doing rather than tooting our own horn. The following are just some of the many activities we perform on a daily basis by staff and volunteers of the Chamber of Commerce. Last week and ongoing for the next month, the Chamber Board of Directors and executive vice president volunteered to participate in Junior Achievement at the middle school.
The class that I taught was Lesson 1 in the Economics for Success Program. The lesson is geared toward helping students determine their skills, interests and values as they decide which high school they will attend, college and career path.
How does this help economic development?
That's easy to answer: These are our future employees that we will hire and future business owners for our local economy. We need to help them be successful. I encourage all to volunteer at a school. We have some great young people and wonderful educators in the area.
A few days later, I attended the Workforce Freedom Initiative sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosted by our neighbor to the north, Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce. The meeting informed the business community about upcoming legislation in Washington D.C. especially regarding how organized labor may affect businesses. The meeting was attended by business people and union representatives.
The U.S. Chamber suggested a few key actions so that you can stay informed and protect your business. US Chamber suggests that everyone get educated on the issues on both sides.
You can visit www.workforcefreedom.com and www.uschamber.com; submit comments on regulations; submit letters to the editors of local newspapers on priority issues; Support the Secret Ballot Protection Act (H.R. 972, S. 217). Contact your Members of Congress www.house.gov 202-225-3121 and www.senate.gov 202-224-3121.
Visit your Congressional district offices; and most importantly stay involved with your state and local chamber and the U.S. Chamber.
How does this help economic development?
By supporting our fellow local Chamber of Commerce, we are strong in numbers and can help pool our members and businesses voices as one strong voice for Volusia County in Washington D.C., if needed, as we support business.
The same day, I spoke on behalf of the City of New Smyrna Beach’s application to change the zoning for the property along US 1 known as the FEC (Florida East Coast Railway) property before the Volusia County Growth Management Commission.
How does this help economic development?
This application approval paves the way to revitalize our down town and promote economic development for not only New Smyrna Beach, but all of Volusia County. We are hopeful for a possible train depot in the future with shops, stores, restaurants, offices, light industrial and housing on the big track of land that runs from Canal Street to ParkTowne Industrial Park in Edgewater.
These are just what we did last week for Economic Development.
Ongoing, we are conducting the Business Survey Program for the City of New Smyrna Beach, traveled to Tallahassee to support the “Restorations Project” for the City of Edgewater, now have honorary non-voting seats for the New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater and Oak Hill city managers on the Chamber Board of Directors to maintain the ongoing flow of information with regard to economic development, attend economic development advisory board meetings, work with local Battle By the Beach promoters to help secure accommodations for the tournament players and supporting Premiere Development as they develop the hotel on Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach and support our local businesses, clubs and organizations.
This is a great time to become a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Please call 386-428-2449 for more information.
Best Regards, Samantha Bishop