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What is the Chamber of Commerce WHAT IS THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE T he St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce maintains various roles in our community: First, to be the voice for business; to unite the business and professional people in our community in an effort to expand the economy of the area; and to build upon our membership diversity to provide businesses numerous opportunities. Our mission is to help businesses prosper through advocacy, education and exposure. Consider joining our 1,000 members in order to take advantage of numerous opportunities. We offer exposure of your business through networking events, ribbon cutting ceremonies, and valuable marketing opportunities at no charge to the business. We also host events throughout the year which help with business to business marketing as well as business to consumer marketing. With three (3) visitor center locations, we provide an easy outlet for your business to reach out to visitors or residents looking for information or referrals within our community. In order to educate the business community about issues having a direct impact on our business climate, we hold monthly workshops with guest speakers on topics ranging from tax preparation and planning to the economic impact of a new power plant in our community. Our monthly newsletter also provides pertinent business information. Finally, the Chamber of Commerce serves as a business advocate. Our Local, State and National Affairs Committee along with our Board of Directors carefully monitor all aspects of government regulations impacting our businesses and community. We travel to Tallahassee at least once a year to meet with legislators. We watch local ordinances and get involved with economic development issues such as the recruitment of the Wal-Mart Distribution Center, the facilitation of a hurricane assistance loan fund and the passage of a bond referendum for construction of the West Virginia Corridor. Building upon our community partnerships and with the work of various Chamber committees, the Chamber is able to serve its diverse membership with planning and assistance in the areas of education, tourism, business and industry, minority affairs, Hispanic affairs, local and state government affairs and membership. Chamber membership provides an effective way to advertise your new or existing business. Those that are active in the events and with our committees enjoy the greatest success for their business. Anyone can join the chamber, so please call 772-340-1333 for more information. We look forward to hearing from you soon and making you a part of our wonderful, vibrant community. Linda W. Cox, President Live, Work, Play... 2 StLucieChamber.org
History OF THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE T he Fort Pierce-St. Lucie County Chamber began in 1906 as the local board of trade. Sometime later, the name was changed to the Fort Pierce- St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce. Its office was located at various sites throughout the years, most notably on North U.S. 1 in the space most recently occupied by the Jaycees. In 1977, an office was constructed on land owned by the City of Fort Pierce on Virginia Avenue next to the County Administration complex. In 1977, the G.O. Team was formed and entered into a contractual relationship with the Chamber. The Chamber provided staff, equipment and office space for the management and implementation of the G.O. Team’s programs. That relationship was ended in 1990, with the G.O. Team, known at that time as the St. Lucie County Economic Development Council, moving into office space of its own. In 1982, the Greater Port St. Lucie Chamber was formed to better serve the interests of the businesses in southern St. Lucie County. The Greater Port St. Lucie Chamber constructed an office in the mid-80’s on Port St. Lucie Boulevard. The St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce, Inc., its present form, resulted from the merger of the Fort Pierce-St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce, Greater Port St. Lucie Chamber of Commerce and the economic development council known as the G.O. Team, Inc. on October 1, 1993. The merger occurred because businesses recognized the value of having one business organization to represent them. The central offices were then established in the Virginia Avenue office; consolidating management and reducing expenses. At that same time, a Fort Pierce Area Council and Port St. Lucie Area Council were formed to insure that the needs of both cities were adequately represented. Those Councils also enjoy an Executive Level seat on the Chamber’s Board of Directors. In November, 1999, the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce entered into an agreement with the City of Fort Pierce to operate a Fort Pierce Visitor Center in the Seven Gables House in historic downtown Fort Pierce. Over forty dedicated volunteers assist residents and visitors with local tourist information and a historical perspective of our area. In 2009, the Chamber’s contract with the city was not renewed. However, chamber members are still able to display their information at the Visitor Center now operated by the Treasure Coast Manatee Foundation. The Chamber spun out its industry recruitment efforts, formerly the G.O. Team, and formed the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County in 2000. The EDC is separate and independent of the Chamber; however, to insure cooperation, the presidents of both organizations serve on the Board of Directors of the other. In order to meet the needs of our growing Hispanic population, the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce formed its Hispanic Council in 2005. This Council was formed to continue the Chamber’s goal of having one, unified Chamber serve the businesses of St. Lucie County. This Council has an Executive level seat on the Board of Directors. Its Mission is to offer the St. Lucie County business community an opportunity to understand how best to enhance business relationships with the Hispanic Community and promote the understanding of our cultural diversity. The council will also assist the Hispanic Business Community to adequately integrate into the St. Lucie County Business Community at large. In 2006, the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce sold its building on Port St. Lucie Blvd., and relocated its Visitor Center Services to the Port St. Lucie City Hall where we maintain a wonderful brochure display. In 2007, the Chamber relocated its Administrative Offices to St. Lucie West, directly across the hall from the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County, the St. Lucie County Government Economic Development Division, and Senator Ken Pruitt. This move allowed the Chamber to consolidate its management, administrative and sales staff under one roof while maintaining our Visitor Centers in both downtown Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie City Hall. Today, the Chamber has 1000 members, five staff members and three visitor displays. We continue to serve as the “Unified Chamber of St. Lucie County”, proudly serving Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, and all of St. Lucie County. StLucieChamber.org 3
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Page 6 and 7: St. Lucie County Overview ST. LUCIE
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