Business Retention and Expansion Support
The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce's
Program 2013-2014
Goal of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce Business Retention and Expansion Program is to grow and retain the existing base of business and jobs in Dare County and the surrounding area. The Chamber will work to connect businesses to the areas entire tool box of economic development resources and available assistance.
How will the area benefit from having a Business Retention & Expansion program? A better business climate! There is no job as important as the one already here. Over time, the data collected from the surveys and interviews will help us identify the long-term trends in our local business climate. The program will provide the business community with a single point of contact for all their business needs. It will allow us to learn more about our business community and identify resources to help them succeed in today's competitive environment.
The purpose of this survey is to gather demographic information on our existing business community, learn what challenges are facing our businesses, and to connect businesses needing help with resources available through our network. This survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. For questions regarding programs or how the data is used, please contact Karen Brown at (252)441-8144, ext. 225 or [email protected]
Presentations from March 19, 2013 Economic Forecast Breakfast
at the Hilton Garden Inn, Kitty Hawk:
Vann Rogerson, President & CEO
N.C. Northeast Commission for Economic Development
Wit Tuttell, Director of Tourism Marketing
North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development, N.C. Department of Commerce
Dave Whitmer, Director, Business & Career Services
N.C. Northeastern Workforce Development Board (NWDB)
Scott Daugherty, Executive Director & Asst Chancellor
Small Business and Technology Development Center
Our Program
Kip Tabb, Editor of The North Beach Suncovered the Economic Forecast 2013:http://www.northbeachsun.com/2013-economic-forecast-breakfast-predicts-continued-growth/
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March 19, 2013
Survey Will Determine Business Needs
The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce is asking for participation in a Business Retention and Expansion survey to determine what challenges area businesses are facing and what resources are needed to meet goals.
The purpose of the Business Retension and Expansion Survey is to gather demographic information on our existing business community, learn what challenges are facing our businesses, and to connect businesses needing help with resources available through our network. This survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and is open to any area business owner despite their involvement with the Chamber. The survey can be found on-line at www.outerbankschamber.com , at the Chamber office on Colington Road, Kill Devil Hills, or by calling (252)441-8144.
“Goal of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce Business Retention and Expansion Program is to grow and retain the existing base of business and jobs in Dare County and the surrounding area,” said Chamber President and CEO Karen Brown. “There is in existence a tool box of economic development resources and the Chamber is working to better connect business owners and managers with the assistance they need.”
Brown says the data collected from the surveys and interviews will also help identify the long-term trends in our local business climate.
“The program will provide the business community with a single point of contact for all their business needs,” she added. “It will allow us to learn more about our business community and identify resources to help them succeed in today's competitive environment.”
The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit business membership organization with over 1,000 business members in Dare, Currituck and Hyde Counties. For questions regarding the Business Retension and Expansion Program, participation in this survey or how the data is used, please contact Karen Brown at (252)441-8144, ext. 225 or [email protected]
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January 3, 2013
Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce to Kick-Off Business Retention Program,
Announces Grant Award to Local Business Venture
In an effort to better serve our members and the business community the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce is undertaking a Business Retention & Expansion program that will kick-off in early February 2013. This endeavor will begin with the Chamber surveying the business community to learn of their individual issues, challenges, and successes as they continue to do business in the Outer Banks community.
The purpose of this program is to gather demographics of our existing business community and identify areas where the business or organization may benefit from being connected with resources available through our network. These resources include, SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), SBC (Small Business Center at the College of the Albemarle), SBTDC (Small Business & Technology Development Center at Elizabeth City State University), the Northeast Workforce Development Board, the North Carolina Rural Center, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Dare County government and more. These resources have programs and services as well as possible grant and loan programs that businesses can take advantage of.
One such resource is the Reuse and Restoration Grant program available through the NC Rural Center. The purpose of this program is “to spur business activity and job creation by maximizing the economic potential of existing structures.”
The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that a grant in the amount of $48,000 has been awarded to a local business owner whose plans include reusing and developing a vacant building in Dare County to house a new business venture. This grant application and successful award was the result of the Chamber and Dare County government working together with the business to help the pieces fall into place.
“We are proud of the role the Chamber played in securing this grant opportunity for this start-up business,” said Chamber President & CEO, Karen Brown. “We see this as the beginning of a new role for the Chamber in the business community; to act as an advocate and partner for new and existing businesses in our community by connecting those business to resources and programs that can help them grow and prosper.”
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January 28, 2013
Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce to Business Retention Program
to include a link to resources to help businesses.
The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce continues to plan and put into motion its Business Retention & Expansion Program. The purpose of the program is to gather demographic information on our existing business community, learn what challenges are facing our businesses, and to connect businesses needing help with resources available through our network. The program will kick-off in mid-late February with a survey to be sent to our members businesses.
The #1 goal of a Business Retention & Expansion program is to grow and retain the existing base of business and jobs in Dare County and the surrounding area. This program will give businesses a single point of contact, the Outer Banks Chamber, to the areas entire tool box of economic development resources and assistance including: SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), SBC (Small Business Center at the College of the Albemarle), SBTDC (Small Business & Technology Development Center at Elizabeth City State University), the Northeast Workforce Development Board, the North Carolina Rural Center, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Dare County government and more.
How will the area benefit from having a Business Retention & Expansion program? A better business climate! There is no job as important as the one already here. Over time, the data collected from the surveys and interviews will help us identify the long-term trends in our local business climate. The program will provide the business community with a single point of contact for all their business needs. It will allow us to learn more about our business community and identify resources to help them succeed in today’s competitive environment.
Please Contact Me For More Information About This Program:
Karen Brown, President & CEO
(252)441-8144, ext. 225
