March 2008 Newsletter
Gulf County Chamber of Commerce
155 Capt. Fred’s Place
Port St. Joe , FL 32456
850-227-1223
800-239-9553
www.GulfChamber.org
Executive Director
Sandra B. Chafin
Board of Directors
2008
President
Ralph Roberson
Roberson and Friedman, P.A.
Vice President
Tom Gibson
Rish, Gibson, Scholz &Groom, P.A.
Secretary
Loretta Costin
St. Joseph Living
Treasurer
Andy Smith
Hannon Insurance Agency
Members of the Board
Kyle Adkison
Vision Bank
Michael Hammond
Preble-Rish
Randy Raffield
Raffield Fisheries
Newly Elected Board Members
Rex Buzzett
Buy-Rite Drugs
Jeremy Novak
Novak Law Offices
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Upcoming Events
Coast2Coast Printing and Promotions,
What’s Inside…
New Members
2008 Renewing Members
Chamber Events
Kids Win Fishing Tournament
From The Pulpit – Andrew Rutherford, Family Life Church
Gulf County Welcome Center
A Taste of the Coast
Everybody’s Seeing Green for 2008
Local Health Care Leader Joins National Board of Directors
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I am honored to be elected as President of the Gulf County Chamber of Commerce for the year 2008. I would first like to express my respect and appreciation to Jim Norton for the fine job he did in leading our Chamber as president over the past two years. Our Chamber has become a good partner in our business community. I have been a member of this Chamber since 1985, and had the pleasure of serving on the Board for several years and as president in 1993.
Since then a lot has changed. In 1993 we had an industrial based economy.
In 2008 we face new challenges. Our economy is again facing difficult times. But as our history suggests, we will endure. The history of our Chamber has been one of evolvement as well. Through strong past leadership, loyal members and volunteers, our chamber has been there to assist our community and businesses navigate these winds of change, taking advantage of the new opportunities that challenges bring about. I hope you will join me in continuing to support our chamber through your membership, ideas and volunteerism as we work together to help our local business community grow and prosper.
Ralph C. Roberson, President 2008
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Buy Gulf
Pledge to shift 5% of your current out-of-area purchases back into the local community!
What is the
We are asking businesses and local governments to take a look at their purchasing habits and pledge to shift just 5% of their out-of-area purchases back into the local area. That’s right, only 5% and you will help boost the
Why was the
The campaign was created in response to local business owners’ desire to build on
Who is sponsoring the campaign?
What is the goal of the campaign?
Our ultimate goal is to encourage a shift in local business-to-business purchasing so that 5% of the amount now spent outside the
of buying from local businesses and promoting area businesses. We hope to not only improve the bottom line for these businesses, but also improve the local economy overall.
How do you define a ‘local’ business?
We consider any business with operations in the
What is the potential economic impact?
According to our research, if we can achieve a 5% shift in purchasing, that could mean over $1million annually put directly back into our local economy. As this money moves through the community it ‘multiplies’ and could result in $1.5 Million in annual economic impact. That could translate into 100 jobs!
What is the potential impact on the community?
There is tremendous potential! New jobs, business growth and expansion, improved public services, better streets, parks, and schools . . .the list goes on and on! This campaign benefits all of us; the impact on the community is tremendous!
How can I help?
Just pledge to shift 5% of your current out-of-area purchases back into the local community! Whether you purchase $100 or $10,000 worth of goods annually, you will make a difference! And, let us know you’re participating by completing the
How do I find a local vendor to cover my needs?
Start with the list of Buy Gulf County Chamber Members in the directory section of the website www.gulfchamber.org. The Chamber makes its member directory available online. Search the categories there to find the vendors you need, and if you want to be included in that list, just send an email to the Chamber to become a member!
This is something we can all do to improve our community. And best of all, there is no additional cost because it’s money you’re already spending!
Where you spend your money IS someone else’s business.
Even a small shift in the amount of money now spent with companies and organizations outside the
~$1 million
Direct amount a spending shift of just 5% could add to the local economy
~$1.5 Million
Total economic impact the spending shift could have on our local economy
~100
Number of new jobs that could be gained from a 5% spending shift to area and organizations
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New Members
Fish’n Xpress
Cindy Little, Owner
Port
Phone: 850-227-8200
Phone: 850-510-4649C
Fax: 850-579-4793
Healthy Start
Sharon Owens, Executive Director
Phone: 800-895-9506
Phone: 850-872-4130
Phone: 850-832-7165C
Fax: 850-747-5435
Perfect Wedding Guide
Dave Johnson, Publisher
Phone: 850-249-7941
Phone: 800-337-7767
Fax: 850-234-5275
The Thirsty Goat
Kaycee Krum, Manager
Port
Phone: 850-229-7678
Phone: 866-825-7175
Fax: 850-229-2930
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2008 Renewing Members
5 Star 2000 Paint and Collision Centre
A & A Homecare
Above Par, Inc.
Ake’s Septic
Aline’s Coiffures/ Merle Norman Cosmetics
Allemore, Ellen
Allen and Associates of Port St. Joe
Amanda’s Bistro
’s Mini Storage and Office Complex
Bay Walk-in Clinic
Bayside Lumber and Building Supply
Bayside Savings Bank
BaySolutions
Beach Baptist Chapel
Beach Bartenders
Beach to Bay Interiors
Beachwalk
Better Business Bureau of NW
Big Fish Construction
Big Time Charters
Bluewater iNet Group
Bluewater Outriggers
Bluewater Realty of
Boardwalk Realty of NW
Boyer Signs & Logo Designs
Broke-a-Toe Horseback Riding on the Beach
Burg Management Co.
Cape San Blas Realty
Cape San Blas Vacation Rentals
Capital City Bank
Carrabelle Area Chamber of Commerce
Cathey Construction and Development
Century 21 - Collins Realty
Century 21 –
Century 21 –
Christian Community Development Fund
Coastal Community Bank
Coastal Design and Landscape
Coastal Foot and Ankle Clinic
Coastal Joe Vacation Rentals
Collins Vacation Rentals
Charters
Costin Development Corp.
Costin Insurance Agency
Covenant Hospice
Cox Pools
Culligan Water Service
David Whitfield – Physical Therapy Services
Debbie Hooper Photography
Decorative Flooring
DiLorenzo, Joseph
Dixie Belle Motel
Donamelia
Donna Spears Realty
Duo - Trio Internazionale
El Governor Motel
Emerald Waste Services
Expressions from the Heart Florist & Gift Shop
Farnsley Financial Services
First United
First United Methodist
Frost’s
GALA – Gulf
Gaskin Graddy Insurance Agency
Girl Scout Council of Apalachee Bend
GM Appliance
GPM Financial
Great Wall Chinese Restaurant
Gulf Coast Panel Homes
Gulf South Self Storage
Gulf to Bay Construction and Development
GW Service Heating and Air
Haddock, Gail
Hannon Insurance Agency
Health Check
HomeAway Port St. Joe Vacation Rentals
I-C Contractors
Keith L. Jones, C.P.A.
Kerrigan, Estess, Rankin, McLeod & Thompson
L.L. Lanier and Son
Magidson, Mel C. Jr. P.A.
Magnolia Lodge and R/V Park
Mahlkov, Gregg H.
MainStay Suites
May, David and Marjorie
May, Frank D. D.M.D. P.A.
Mediacom Southeast
Miller Heating and Air Conditioning
Miller Marine
Mize Plumbing Services and Supply
MUST SEE Magazine
NHC Homecare
Norton, Charles and Caroline
NVDi –
Oak Grove Assembly of
Oyster Radio and Oyster Country 106.5FM
Panache Tent and Event
Parker Realty of
Peaden Air Conditioning and Heating
Petals by the Bay
Pineapple Plantation Vacation Beach Home
Port Inn
Port St. Joe Lions Club
Port
Port St. Joe Port Authority
Port
Preble-Rish
Prosperity Bank
Realtors’ Association of
Rich’s IGA
Roberson and Friedman, P.A.
Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell
Scallop Cove BP
Scott’s Quality Electric
Seahorse Water Safaris
Server Solutions
Shoreline Medical Group
Southern Resorts / Remax Southern
St. Joe Ace Hardware
St. Joe Company
St. Joe News Network
St. Joe Timberland
Sunset Coastal Grill
Superior Bank
Suzanne Doran Photography
Tall Tales Fishing Charters
The L’s Place
The Port Fine Wine and Spirits
Tim McFarland, P.A.
United Way of
VMS
Waldo, Patty
Ward, Brenda
Warriner, David and Trish
Watson Brothers Construction
Weston, Betty Ray
Whitfield Timber
Wood’s Fisheries
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Chamber Events
Photos Courtesy Sandie Yarbrough, Sonny Chafin, Suzanne Doran
Bay
Meet and Greet Charlie and Betty Ray Weston
Send-Off Party for Lee and Betty Sue Vincent
Friends of
Novak Law Offices Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting
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The
The Gulf County Tourist Development Council is delighted about the opportunities to support tourism activities in our area. Their new home will host a variety of activities hat range from monthly meetings in the conference room to Snowbird receptions on the beautiful 2,000 square foot deck overlooking
Visitors will have access to brochures promoting local activities and venues, a multi-media kiosk so that they can customize their vacations, unlimited wireless internet access for the many vacationers how want to keep in touch; or simply enjoy a glass of Florida Orange Juice will sitting in a rocker enjoying the perfect sunset.
The Center has a large reception room for visitor information and gallery area to promote local art. Additionally, the state of the art conference room will be available for public/ civic use. Paula Pickett, Director of the Gulf County Tourist Development Council, stated that, “We fully expect that this center will provide a much needed civic space of our community, and are eager show it off. Windolf Construction has been doing a beautiful job on the renovation and I think the community will be very proud of this facility.” Indigenous materials such as heart of pine and cypress will be used throughout the reception and conference areas. “Our heritage is a direct result of the timber industry and we wanted to honor that.” says Pickett.
The project is on schedule and is expected to open in late March. A grand opening celebration is being planned and the Tourist Development Council can’t wait for all to see.
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2008 A Taste of the Coast- An Artful Affair
We are getting ready for the 5th year of “A Taste of the Coast”, which promises to be yet another exciting event of delicious restaurant tastings and viewing of fantastic art. In addition to providing a fun-filled evening, the total proceeds in 2008 will provide funding for scholarships for
The weekend kicks off on Friday, April 11th at
Saturday heralds in the day long “Art by the Bay” at
On Saturday evening, the alliance of great food and great art continues. The finale of the weekend, the Main Event, kicks off at the
A special thanks goes out to our 2008 sponsors; Superior Bank, Gulf County Tourist Development Council, Mexico Beach Community Development Council, El Governor Motel, Costin and Costin, Frank D. May, DDS, Cape San Blas Realty, Capital City Bank, Prosperity Bank, St. Joe Company, Preble-Rish Inc, Bayside Savings Bank, Norris D. Langston Foundation, Port St. Joe Lions Club, Mel Magidson, and GAC Contractors. We appreciate your support of this wonderful event.
For more information, please visit our website at www.atasteofthecoast.com . A Taste of the Coast is just plain FUN; we hope to see you there.
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From the Pulpit
Believe
It is so refreshing when you come across someone who believes you. I don’t mean believes “in” you, I mean believes what you are saying; people that take hold of what you are saying and truly accept it and are willing to act on it, solely based on the fact that it came out of your mouth.
