Alachua Chamber of Commerce
to Open Office

Alachua Post, August 30, 2001

by Constance L. Heuss

The Alachua Chamber of Commerce will now have a place to call "home".  Jim Brandenberg, has made office space available in the Families & Children's Services building near the Alachua Elementary School. 

The "just off 441" location will be an easy find for new arrivals seeking information about Alachua.  President Jim Shaw plans to have a sign pointing the way for newcomers.

"We are very happy to have this space and a receptionist to answer the phone and greet callers." said Shaw  "It's a starting point that we can grow from and become more visible and viable as a Chamber and part of the community. Our regular monthly meetings are the first Tuesday of each month.  Next month's (September 4th, 2001) meeting will be held at noon at Conestoga's Banquet room on Main Street in Alachua. We would like to invite anyone that would like to get to know more about the Chamber to come and join us."

There is a membership drive underway at this time and a challenge to every member to recruit three new members each.  A recent survey of about 80 existing Chamber members indicated a desire to have more business to business support between members, a varying of meeting times and a brochure about the community.  Many members expressed difficulty in attending  a lunch time meeting and would like to see a rotation between morning, noon and evening get-togethers for Chamber functions.

The Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Annual Christmas Parade and participates with the City of Alachua in the extraordinary July 4th fireworks display, and has an overwhelmingly successful Sports Fest Golf tournament each year. The recent Sports Fest Golf fund raising event, combined with proceeds from last years tournament will go air condition the Alachua Recreation Department.

The Chamber of Commerce membership application can be completed on line at the Chamber of Commerce website at: Alachua.com.