Dean Weaver of Watson Realty accepted chairmanship of the board of the North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce at the organization's annual membership banquet on Saturday.  This year's board of governors is a diverse one, Weaver told the members present. Every area served by the chamber is represented by a businessperson from that community-Starke, Lake Butler, Keystone Heights and Melrose.  The wide-ranging area has best of everything, even if it is not all in one place, Weaver said. There are some of the best schools, some of the best tax rates, some of the lowest electric rates, he said.  "Anybody who wanted to move to Florida, I think our chamber could find a place for you."

The chamber board met during a retreat earlier this year, and one of the requests made of chamber CEO Ron Lilly was to put together a team that could draw people to the area and look at opportunities to make the chamber grow. In turn, the businesses that make up the chamber will grow.  A large number of events are planned, from the recurring Friday Festivals at the end of each month in downtown Starke to the return of the Strawberry Festival and Bike Fest. Weaver encouraged the chamber members to attend the events, but also to volunteer.  These events draw people to the area and make money for local businesses, so increasing tourism is high on the list of chamber priorities this year.

Other goals discussed during the retreat were:

• Working towards a unified downtown, including more promotions and events.
• Visioning for the region to address projected changing business trends as well as a session to address controlled growth, affordable housing, local government taxes and electric costs.
• Increasing commitment to Workforce development and retention.
• Increasing chamber and educational information to outlying cities.
• Increasing business foot traffic for our local businesses.
• Marketing the tri-county area.
• Working with workforce organizations to expand opportunities for students.
• Networking and informational meetings in; Keystone Heights, Lake Butler and Starke.
• Adding quarterly meetings for the entire membership.
• Creating a career day program to help with job placement.
• Providing more information about ongoing projects to the public.

John Cooper, chairman for 2007, turned over the gavel to Weaver at the banquet, and three departing board members, Brad Carter, John Miller, Phillip Johns and Matt Stucky, were thanked for their contributions on the board.  Members returned Miller to the board, and he and was sworn in alongside other new and ongoing board members, including Cooper, Darrell O'Neal, Bill Adams, Virgil Berry, Rusty Greek, Harry Hatcher, Jeff Oody, Amber Roberts-Crawford, Tommy Tomlinson and Kay Waters. Judge George Pierce swore them in.  Cooper also recognized the catering crew from Western Steer, including Hatcher and Ken Weaver, and brought up the chamber staff who's hard work make the banquet possible, including CEO Ron Lilly, Kim Skidmore, Pam Whittle and CFO DeAnna Adams.  He also thanked Lila Sellars from the education foundation, which raised thousands for its efforts through the night's silent and live auctions, as well as tickets sold for the truck giveaway. Jimmy Davis won that drawing and was presented the keys to the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado from Bill Adams Chevrolet.

Chamber accomplishments, 2004-07

• Relocated the chamber office to the historic bank building on Call Street.
  Formed Main Street Starke Inc. to handle redevelopment of downtown Starke.
  Increased business opportunities though street festivals and increased marketing of area.
  Grew chamber membership to more than 500 members.
  Improved membership retention to 88 percent (third best in the state according to Florida Chamber of Commerce recent statistics).
  Increased chamber staff to better serve the membership.
  Raised awareness in the communities of who and what the chamber is and what it does.
  Created the Best Places to Work program, providing valuable workforce information to help keep local businesses in touch with the current trends and practices.
  Renewed the FloridaWorks program, providing training and job placement for local residents.
  Increased business training and educational seminars for the membership.
  Produced a tri-county map, highlighting regional cities.
  Produced new membership and relocation directory that markets the tri-county area.
  Developed a chamber Web site, www.northflorida chamber.com, which has received more than 1 million hits to date.
  Produced a full-color magazine The Tri-County Connection as a newsletter, winning an award in 2005 for its publication.
  Helped purchase and remodel the Charley E. Johns Conference Center.
  Sponsored of the Starke Strawberry Festival since 2004 and the second annual Starke Bike Fest.

Above article, as seen in the Bradford County Telegraph.