As the Director of the Monticello-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, and the Jefferson County Tourist Development Council (TDC), I have been asked to periodically write a column giving an update on our activities.
The Chamber’s mission is to be the frontline advocate for the Jefferson County business community. We support activities that encourage economic growth and prosperity, while protecting our natural, historic and cultural resources. Additionally, we partner with area organizations to market a positive and progressive image of our community.
In 2015 our Chamber Membership comprised 195 members. This fiscal year, 2021-2022, ended with 299 valued members. That is a 65 percent increase. We have increased the number of events/opportunities each year making a huge positive impact on the economy as well as promoting each member. To enhance our fundraising goals, we added a BBQ Festival, Corn Hole Tournament, and Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament.
Offering a One Blood donation opportunity every other month is a community service event that we provide along with a couple other smaller events. By offering more events/opportunities for our members, they are able to develop new professional contacts and take advantage of being part of our referral network.
The Chamber provides the tools to grow a business and educate our members. Our newest addition for education and networking is the Power Breakfast. In 2021-2022 we focused on marketing and advertising opportunities for our members and met several times throughout the year.
Our weekly newsletter is a marketing tool that allows members to advertise their business free, which is an incredible. It goes out every Monday morning at 9 a.m. If you would like to join the 1300+ that receive the eblast – email me at info@monticellojeffersonfl.com and ask to be added to the list. You will then be “in the know” in Monticello. The best news is that you don’t have to be a chamber member to be on the list.
Our M2M (Member to Member) program is another marketing and networking tool. Members get a discount at other members businesses, as well as businesses in Taylor and Madison Counties. This gives us a tri-county networking opportunity.
Have you noticed our strong social media presence? Isn’t it great? Our ability to network with other non-profit organizations and civic clubs in town makes sharing their “happenings” like one big happy family – which we are.
Some of the local events bring in thousands of people to shop, dine and experience Monticello. We are always willing to help and offer opportunities to advertise promotions and specials, while we promote business.
Switching hats to the TDC – do you know how the TDC is funded? The “out of towners” that stay in our lodging facilities, whether it is a hotel, bed and breakfast, camping facility, or other, pay a 3 percent bed tax that is sent to the TDC monthly. This past fiscal year we collected $91,031 in bed tax. Did you know that the TDC offers $1500 in grants to local non-profit organizations when they have an event that puts “heads in beds” out of the bed tax money? Southern Music Rising, the Opera House, Experience Monticello, MainStreet & Jefferson Arts are just a few that take advantage of this opportunity. The grant monies must go to out of county advertising for their event. Jefferson Countians do not pay this tax so it is a win-win for us. We all pay a bed tax when we travel and stay in lodging facilities in other counties and I promise you it is much more than 3 percent!
Tourism is not an easy job but it is a fun job. That being said, I would encourage readers to have a STAYCATION right here in Jefferson County. Take a day or two and pretend to be a tourist. Check out how friendly our community really is and experience our restaurants, retail stores, adventure outfitters, lodging and Country Club. Please get back to me with an analysis of how friendly you think our county is and with recommendations for improvement. If we can continue to put heads in beds, cheeks in seats (theatre), feet on the floor (shopping), and gas in tanks with a friendly demeanor then people will return to our friendly town over and over.
I’d like to suggest you go to the TDC website: visitjeffersoncountyflorida.com and scroll down to the bottom of the home page, where there are three brochures for you to scroll through to get ideas of places to go. The TDC just produced new brochures for one and two-day itineraries that may be helpful: 1) Find Your Next Adventure in Jefferson County, 2) Jefferson County’s History and Heritage and 3) Staying in Monticello Makes Happy Campers. The Chamber also just published the new Visitor’s Guide that will be helpful as well. Please feel free to stop in and get copies of these. I’d love for you to visit.
I hope this update gives you a better understanding of the significance of becoming a Chamber member and gives you a better idea of how important the Chamber and Tourist Development Council is to our county. One of the rules that I implemented when I became the Director of the Chamber nine years ago, is that when we get a call for information and don’t have the answer, we take the caller’s number and get back with them once we have obtained the requested information. The Chamber Staff is proud of our reputation and love serving the community.
Finally, the Annual Chamber Christmas Party is Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022 at 5 p.m. at the Chamber. All chamber members are welcome and if you are interested in becoming a member you are welcome to come see what we are all about.
Executive Director
Monticello-Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
Jefferson County Tourist Development Council