To Our Members and Community Partners: Last week the Board of Directors for the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce voted to expand the organization’s role as a community leader by redefining its mission.  Our new mission statement reads: The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce: Promoting and developing the economic prosperity of our business community through leadership, advocacy, relationship development and innovation. As Chairman of the Board, I feel that it is important that our members and our community partners understand the context of this decision and why the board felt this change was so necessary. As we all know, our economy is changing at an unprecedented rate and scale. Consumer habits, globalism, technology, education, and investment patterns are all developing into the opportunities and threats of the 21st century economy. Over the past two years the Chamber has been carefully studying these market factors, and how best to meet the challenges they present in a positive way. Our new mission is an indication that the Chamber is taking responsibility to insure a strong, healthy economy on the Outer Banks. Over the next few months we will continue to define the specific projects and outcomes that will be necessary to continue the development of our economy. One thing is for certain, however, that we will not be looking at economic development in the traditional manner of pursuing large outside firms to recruit to the area. We will focus instead on creating the right set of circumstances and support that will allow our current businesses to flourish while encouraging the expansion of new business sectors. While providing networking, education and promotional opportunities to our members will continue to be a focus of our leadership and staff, we will be expanding our focus into the new building blocks of a 21st century economy. Based on our research and work with many other organizations, the best way to spur innovation in our community is to focus on quality of life issues that make our area desirable to businesses, entrepreneurs and investors. Broadband infrastructure, the creative economy, education enhancement, and sustainability are necessary pursuits to ensure a more diversified economy. Within our new mission our leadership understands that we will have to tackle some of the tough issues that face our region. There are constantly federal, state, and local issues that consider the environment, taxation, healthcare, and resource allocation. With an understanding that our community is closely connected to the ocean, the sounds and the land in which we live, the Chamber will lobby for a balanced consideration of the prosperity of our members and partners. In the days, months and years ahead, I hope that you will join us in our pursuit of a stronger Outer Banks economy. The Chamber board believes strongly that there is no better place to live with no better potential for success in the 21st century than the Outer Banks. We will need, however, all the ideas, volunteers, members and community partners working in concert to achieve our goals, and I look forward to the work we have ahead. Paul N. Tine Chairman of the Board of Directors Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce For more information about the chamber, visit: Board of Directors View Our Chamber Calendar Our Membership Who We Are