Chamber President Jacqueline Robinson
Welcomes You to Baker County


On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to welcome you to Baker County. 2010 marks the 30th anniversary of the Baker County Chamber of Commerce and I believe this year will be the best year yet.

While Baker County might always be called a bedroom community to Jacksonville, we are changing into a community where you can not only live and relax but also work. We will continue to have the rural, small town atmosphere where people cherish the slower pace of life. The type of communities where you not only know your neighbors, you care about them. But we also have new jobs in our future. With the continued development of two large industrial parks in the county, there will be jobs available in the future that we have never experienced before.

The chamber provides many opportunities for you to interact with local business owners, through the many events we sponsor each year. It’s at these chamber events where you can build relationships and friendships that will create a loyal customer base that your business will benefit from for many years to come.

So as we celebrate our 30th year, come join with us and lets all work together to make Baker County the perfect place in northeast Florida to live, work and play.

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An accurate census count in the 2010 Sunshine Census is important to local communities for funding allocations from state and federal programs. An incomplete and inaccurate count can cause revenue inequities that can last a decade, hindering economic development and small businesses.

Here are some reasons why local business owners should do their part to raise awareness:

» Information on population counts and where people live is needed to apportion seats in the House and to determine district boundaires.

» Census numbers directly affect how more than $400 billion per year in federal and state funding is allocated to local and state governments. Accurate census numbers ensure that funds are distributed so that resources can be targeted to the areas in need.

» Censes data helps decision makers plan economic development and assess the need and best location for major projects, such as roads, schools, hospitals, parks and job training.

» Businesses can use the data in various ways like new offices or branches and outlets. Businesses services like job training, small business loans, etc. use the data.

The Baker County Chamber of Commerce represents more than 240 businesses that support our community with goods, services, and jobs. If you are new to this area, we have information available to assist you as you settle into our community. If you are already established in our community, we invite you to stop by and let us know what we can do to help Baker County continue to be the place where people want to live, work and play.

During the past 30 years the chamber has strived to support the local business community and also attract new businesses to locate here. Our goal for economic development is to attract business that not only pay higher wages, but also make large investments in their facilities and equipment, to increase the county tax base.

The success of our economic development efforts depend greatly on partnerships with local governmental entities as well as the State of Florida. The Board of County Commissioners, the Macclenny City Council and the Glen St. Mary Town Council are great partners and have always been very supportive of our efforts. The State of Florida has specific programs to assist Rural Counties of Critical Economic Concern and also stands ready to assist in other ways if necessary.

I want to close by encouraging you to do your part to support the Baker County business community. When you are in need of a service provider or are considering making a purchase, do you consider local options? If you support local businesses, the money you spend in Baker County will probably be used by that business again in our local economy and just might find its way back to you and your business.

When you have a choice, SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES!

» Federal programs also use the census data to allocate funding and grants.

» Many state and federal programs consider census information before making key investments in rural communities.

» The census spotlights how our communities are changing. These changes are crucial to any planning decisions - emergency preparedness, VA services, disaster recovery, public heath, education, etc.

» In rural communites, business owners have a strong voice. Encourage positive participation in the 2010 Census with customers, employees, business colleagues, friends and family. Communities in Florida's small and rural counties need the most complete and accurate Census count possible.

For more information, visit www.SunshineCensus2010.com or if know someone that has not received their questionnaire and have not been counted, please have them call 1-866-872-8686 and they can give their information to a representative over the telephone.

The Baker County Chamber of Commerce is opposed to proposed Constitutional Amendment #4. We encourage you to vote NO in November. For more information please visit Vote No On 4

The Baker County Farmer's Market will be closed until Saturday, October 16th. The market will re-open on this date and remain open through Saturday, November 20th and re-open again the first Saturday in April.

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