Hello Members:
The last days of summer are upon us. Tourists are going back home, no doubt with a
little sand in their shoes and envy in their hearts for those of us that get to
live here all year. I have met so many
people vacationing here and most, not all but most, tell me of their plans to
get down here full-time. Sure some are
planning to move here after they retire, but the majority plan/need to work,
which highlights the need for economic diversity. Understand that your Chamber always welcomes
and wants to hear your ideas regarding this matter. Understand too that we are doing what we can
with what we have right now to help our area become more diversified.
How? Currently the
emphasis is on getting EDATE passed.
EDATE, the Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption, is important
because it will allow Okaloosa County Commissioners and the Destin City Council
to grant exemptions for new AND expanding business that relocate to or expand
in our area IF certain requirements are met.
Helping to entice businesses to come here or expand here, employing
locals, to me is a giant step in the right direction. So please, vote in favor of EDATE when you
vote this August. I have it on very good
authority that you can only vote once - but once should be enough if EVERYONE
does it!
What else? Paddleat the Porch was a success. We had just
over 100 participants paddling in the one, three, and six mile races. I would love to tell you I won, or even
participated, in one of those races, but I did not.
Instead I roamed around talking with our sponsors (thank
you, Thank You, THANK YOU), observers, and the participants. The Back Porch, our location sponsor, was the
perfect location for the event this year (as it was for the previous two
years). Your Board was represented
there, as were the Chamber's Ambassadors.
While it is obvious and goes without saying, I am going to say it again
and again, we absolutely could not have put on this event without the help of
the VOLUNTEERS. The Chamber staff, Suzy, Elizabeth, Dena, and our new
membership consultant Jacqui were their usual organized, enthusiastic,
efficient, happy selves. Shane had fun,
and yes, he was there from beginning to end - in the sun mostly, so if you see
him, you may want to douse him with some cold water because he may still be a
little warm. Oh no, have I started
something?
If you missed Paddle at the Porch, please join us for
Bourbon on the Bay on Nov. 13. On second
thought, even if you came to Paddle at the Porch, come join us again - there
really is no limit to the number of events you can attend, really. Some new
drinks will be offered. It should be a
fun event once again . . . but we need YOU to make it a success. YOU make this Chamber the success that it is,
we want to hear from YOU and see YOU at our events.
Next time I will tell you about the TCPI, Tri-County
Partnership Initiative, and the good things coming out of it. Since it is still in its infancy, I will
wait just a bit longer so I can give it the props it no doubt will
deserve. Also, coming up (does this
sound like a commercial or what?), traffic news - what will the Council decide
to do about that traffic issue near Marler street? I have learned that so much goes into the
decision to put in a fully signalized traffic light versus a signalized
cross-walk. No matter the decision, know
that your Chamber supports getting pedestrians across Highway 98 safely. We will leave it to the experts to make the
decision as to how that can be done.
As always, thank you for reading, thank you for being a
member and the secret word is "EDATE." If you see me or any other
Board member, staff, or yes, even Shane, say it and we will know you read this
BLOG!!
Best to YOU and YOURS,
Amy Perry
2014 Destin Area Chamber Chairman
Pleat, Perry & Ritchie, P.A.
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