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HomeMy WebLinkAboutII (C) West Orange Chamber Activites Update - Richard Irwin AGENDA 8-15-95 Item II C • �,1 4•' W/ S T ORANGE J July 26, 1995 Mayor Scott Vandergrift Commissioner Rusty Johnson Commissioner Paul W. Foster Commissioner Jim Gleason Conunissioner Scott Glass City of Ocoee Ocoee, Florida Dear Mayor Vandergrift and Members of the City Commission: A little more than six months ago the West Orange Chamber of Commerce took a significant step forward when it employed its first professionally trained executive director. As you know, the Chamber conducted a nationwide search for that individual, and in hiring Rob Nordin brought to the West Orange community not only an individual with extensive association management skills, but also a man who is a certified and experienced economic development professional. That event could not have happened had it not been for the support the City of Ocoee and the other communities of West Orange provided. Since that time we have seen identifiable and positive change in the direction our Chamber is charting and in its effectiveness within the community. Yet we realize we have only begun our task, and the future promises challenges and opportunites that make it imperative that we maintain strong professional leadership in our Chamber and the Nest Orange area. Recognizing and appreciating the endorsement and support the cities and towns of West c)range have given the Chamber. there is an inherent obligation to provide a status report to those who are assisting in funding our executive director position. To that end, and to solicit your continuing support, we would respectfully provide the following information. WEST ORANGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE P.O. BOX 770522/WINTER GARDEN, FLA. 34777/407-656-1304 MEMBER OF FLORIDA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE UNITED STATES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ITEM: In the last six months, and with valuable input from the executive director, the Chamber has begun to focus its energies on projects that will provide longterm benefit to the West Orange community. ITEM: With the executive director acting as facilitator, the Chamber has established Vision West Orange, a community-wide initiative which will assist in generating a pro-active position to meet present deficiences that may exist within the Chamber's service area, and in dealing with issues that will be inherent in future growth. ITEM: As a priority issue, the executive director has built an excellent rapport with members of the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority and members of the staff of the Orange County Department of Transportation. He has earned acceptance as a part of the Western Beltway work group, and is constantly working as an advocate for construction of that highway project. ITEM.' Through concerted effort the executive director has established a working dialogue with the elected officials who serve the West Orange community on local, county, state and federal levels. Recognized as a representative of the West Orange business constituency base, he has developed an open network of communication with staff contacts. ITEM: As a professionally trained, certified, and experienced economic development facilitator, the executive director has opened exploration with more than a dozen potential new business contacts considering the West Orange area for relocation. Negotiations with many of those contacts continue, as do discussions with a number of local businesses considering expansion. ITEM: As a part of the economic development effort of both the Chamber of Commerce and Vision West Orange, the executive director has been instrumental in formulating real property inventories and business surveys which will assist all West Orange communities in establishing a reliable service base. The results of those studies will be compiled before the end of 1995 and made available to the municipalities. ITEM Recognizing the essential element of networking in economic development, the Chamber and the executive director have established a close working relationship with the Florida Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Commission ofMid-Florida. Working with a "team concept"the executive director has greatly expanded the resource base available to the West Orange community, and is in frequent communication with key individuals from both organizations. ITEM: The executive director, through personal contacts and a concerted media relations program, has raised both the public and political awareness about the West Orange community. Based upon recorded comments and documentation, the West Orange community is enjoying a growing respect that is rightly deserved. That resepct in turn is helping to create a more positive political climate which will benefit every aspect of economic growth. Limitations of space require that only a few highlights of the last six months be covered in this brief presentation. Suffice it to say that the Chamber Board of Directors feels confident it is headed in the right direction and has solid professional leadership. But the work of the Chamber is only beginning, and in order to continue and move forward, we ask your sustaining support. The West Orange Chamber of Commerce is proud of the role it is playing in the communites it serves, and looks forward,to strengthening its relationship with the businesses, Commission, and the people of Ocoee. "CENTER OF GOOD LIVING-PRIDE OF WEST ORANGE" MAYOR•.COMMISSIOKIER Ocoee S.SCOTT VANDERGRIFT � O O COMMISSIONERS _� ipCITY OF OCOEE RUSTYJOHNSON D. PAUL W.FOSTER Co 150 N.LAKESHORE DRIVE S• COTT A.GLASS C.4.* `. 2C� OCOEE,FLORIDA 34761-2258 JIM GLEASON 4 , c''' ,� (407)656-2322 CITY MANAGER Of GOO N` ELLIS SHAPIRO March 31, 1995 Mr. Rob Nordine West Orange Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 770522 Winter Garden, FL 34777 Dear Rob: Pursuant to our discussion,you are scheduled to be placed on the July 18, 1995 City Commission Agenda regarding an update on the Chamber's activities. By copy of this letter to our City Clerk, Jean Grafton, I am advising her to place this item on the July 18, 1995 Commission Agenda under Presentations. If you have any questions, please contact Jean at 407-656-2322, extension 147. Sincerely, // „, apiro Manager ES3:fdg:92 cc: Jean Grafton, City Clerk