Together, we have accomplished so much in 2009 and we can finally begin to visibly see the “Good Things” that are truly ahead in our community—in spite of a national recession. The greatest accomplishment this year for the Chamber was launching the Job Generation Fund.  In January 2010, the Foundation Board approved the recommendations of the Loan Committee to offer 40 businesses $2.4 million in low interest/forgivable loans for economic recovery.  This is a direct result of the Chamber's work over the past four years, advocating for a small business program following Katrina.  We never gave up.  And, with the support of our local and state officials, we signed the agreement with the Mississippi Development Authority in September 2009 to implement the program through the Hancock Community Development Foundation.

      
        We're not stopping there.  Already, the Foundation has submitted an application to the US Department of Treasury to obtain funding for technical assistance to provide staffing to work with local businesses on financial planning, marketing and business planning.  If successful, we could be eligible to establish a community development financial institution -  positioning our community to access more capital for our small business owners.  This would not have been possible without the leadership and work of many.   The Mississippi Development Authority has already lauded our methodology as one of the best in the system and we are grateful for the experienced staff we have on board to insure that we are in compliance with all HUD rules and regulations.

        Another successful initiative expanded the Chamber presence north of I-10.  This year, under the leadership of Judith Redshaw, the Kiln Business Council was established.  Each month, the Council focuses on a topic of concern to Kiln business owners and has set forth goals and objectives for 2010 to bring awareness to the Kiln area to promote local businesses. 

In October, after a four year Katrina hiatus, we re-established the popular Chamber Business Expo.  Hosted by the Kiln Business Council, the event has held North of I-10 at the new MS Army Readiness Center.  This location was the perfect venue to showcase more than 60 businesses which enthusiastically participated.  It was a sell-out Expo and close to 500 people attended this high energy event.

In 2009, we made a concerted effort to re-position our member services program as one of the most important initiatives in our annual program of work.  We re-allocated our resources assigning the Vice President of the Board as the chair of this area.  Under the leadership of Tommy Murphy, a new membership recruitment tool was devised and distributed through the Sea Coast Echo, outlining and promoting the many ways the Chamber can support local businesses.  More recruitment efforts are planned for 2010. 

Another priority during 2009 was to move the Bay BridgeFest to downtown Bay St. Louis and fully establish the event as a major attraction for the area and revenue generator for Chamber initiatives.  Moving it to downtown was no easy feat, but we did it—attracting more sponsors and 10,000 visitors to downtown during the one-day festival.  Next year promises to be even more profitable for our businesses and the Chamber.

    
       These are only the highlights of 2009.  There was so much more we accomplished---like monthly Chamber After Hours, ribbon cuttings and membership meetings.  We sponsored other major events like the Awards Gala, Golf Tournament, and Coastal Clean-up.  And we offered teacher appreciation events, student scholarships,  communications and marketing programs,  business seminars,  and, small business advocacy and leadership programs. 

      Not only do we manage all of this for our 600 member companies, we also manage two other organizations- Partners for Stennis  and the Hancock Community Development Foundation;   We provide financial assistance through the Hancock Community Development Foundation to support The Arts -  Hancock County,  Recycle Hancock County,  the Historic Preservation Commission,  Hancock Housing Resource Center,  and the Main Street Program.

       Join us in 2010 as we work toward a brighter and more prosperous future in Hancock County!