About the Chamber…

1. About the Chamber… MAYOR’S ECONOMIC SUMMIT May 8, 2003 Presented by: Cheryl Nerrissa Gonzalez, President

2. About the Chamber… Chamber Membership Chamber Board Chamber ChampionsAdvisory Council C4EDC Executive Committee President Asst. to President Admin. Volunteers Budget and Finance Committee Gov’tl Relations Committee Festivals, Events and Sports Membership and Marketing Committee Community Building

3. From 1994 to 2001… • C4 Youth Chamber of Commerce (2001) - Collaboration with the Greater Frenchtown Front Porch Collaborative • Knock Out Tobacco Campaign (2001) - Support from the Florida Department of Health  • Sister City Chamber Alliance (2000) - Participation in the Caribbean Carnival International’s (CCI) Tourism, Educational, Cultural and Trade Mission to St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles and other programs • Crosstown Community and Economic Development Initiative (1999) – Funded by the Office of Trade, Tourism and Economic Development • Statewide Investment and Real Estate Conference (1997) – Co-sponsored by the African American Real Estate Association and partially funded by the Tallahassee Leon County Tourism Office, Leon County and the City of Tallahassee Economic Development Department • · Statewide Black Chambers Conference (1996) - This conference was organized in conjunction with statewide and national Black chambers of commerce and was co-sponsored and supported by the Tallahassee Leon County Tourism Office, City of Tallahassee Economic Development Department and Leon County

4. Since February 2002 to present… • Updated its Strategic Plan for Sustainable Growth and Development • Restructured its Organization, Member Focus and Operations • Developed, Designed and Launched its website • Linked with the St. Maarten Business Association to form new alliances in the Caribbean and Latin America marketplaces, NBCC et al • Entered into memoranda of understanding with the FSU Jim Moran Global Entrepreneurial Institute to augment employee /employer training and boost its youth entrepreneurial interests • Developed needed training programs with descriptions for immediate implementation with the FAMU SBDC • Helped to plan a business incubator project known as the SMBA Cooperation Office in St. Maarten as part of the Sister City Alliance • Conducted monthly business networks • Developed a new focus for the C4-CDC

5. Where do we go from here?… Strategic Imperative 1: Reduce the Overlap of Different Economic Development Initiatives through more collaboration between community stakeholders. How? Develop a mechanism and process for ensuring that future redevelopment and community initiatives include impacted neighborhoods and communities at the beginning of the process. Ex. Governor’s Front Porch Initiative Strategic Imperative 2: Continue to Build the Capacity of Neighborhood Associations within Bond/Southside and Greater Frenchtown communities. How? Increase the ability of neighborhood associations to shape decisions that impact them. Ex. ARENA

6. Where do we go from here?… Strategic Imperative 3: Ensure the Appropriate Mix of Social Services to Meet Diverse Needs in the Community; Distribute These Equitably. How? Determine social services needs in the target areas, identify gaps in services and provide necessary support to attract/develop required need. Ex. Bond Health Center Strategic Imperative 4: Encourage and Support Micro- and Small Business Development, Technological Enhancement. How? Provide financial and other resources to stimulate growth and development of small businesses that will inherently increase job development. Ex. Micro-lending, SEC504D program, business incubators

7. Where do we go from here?… Strategic Imperative 5: Revisit the Boundary Lines for Bond/Southside and Greater Frenchtown Communities to ensure inclusiveness of neglected areas for economic and community development. How? Annex, and acquire support to extend, the boundaries of the target area(s) where economic development is highly sustainable. Strategic Imperative 6: Attract New Businesses to Fill the Voids in the Bond/Southside and Greater Frenchtown Communities. How? Encourage collaboration between neighborhood associations, business associations et al to identify needs and actively recruit such businesses for the community. Build upon local, regional,national and international contacts and resources.

8. Where do we go from here?… Strategic Imperative 7: Expand the Role of the Church in Community/Economic Development. Strategic Imperative 8: Improve Customer Service, Quality and Pricing of Goods Sold by Small Businesses. Strategic Imperative 9: Enhance and Support Local Public Schools Within the Bond/Southside and Greater Frenchtown Communities. Strategic Imperative 10: Maintain reasonable beauty and serenity found in the natural environment while pursuing community and economic development initiatives.

9. …Where Business is Viewed From a Distinct Point of View - will continue to serve as a community builder and change agent for inclusive economic and community development; - will continue to serve as a conduit to implement identified strategic imperatives while recognizing the diverse voices of economic and community development; and - will continue to serve as a minority business clearinghouse to help identify firms and businesses “glocally” to conduct various activities and projects, and act as an arm of other minority and Caribbean chambers of commerce and industry