Tallahassee's Three Chambers Need Better Coordination

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Tallahassee is home to three chambers of commerce - the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, the Capital City Chamber of Commerce, and the Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce - each working to support the local business community. However, the lack of coordination between these organizations makes it difficult for new business owners to navigate the system and access the resources they need. The author, a workforce development professional and community strategist, argues that Tallahassee needs a more streamlined approach to connecting businesses with the right chamber and programs.

Why it matters

Tallahassee's economy is growing rapidly, with the metro area's real GDP reaching $21.3 billion in 2024. However, the support system for small businesses has not kept pace. Improved coordination between the three chambers could make it easier for entrepreneurs to access valuable resources like contracts, training, certification, and mentorship, ultimately supporting the city's continued economic development.

The details

The author cites the example of a catering business owner who had to navigate multiple chambers to get certified for city contracts, leaving voicemails and waiting weeks for a response. This trial-and-error approach is common, as the three chambers serve different audiences with different approaches. The author suggests four steps to improve coordination: 1) build a shared intake portal to route businesses to the right chamber, 2) create a public 'start-here' hub outlining each chamber's focus, 3) adopt a shared response standard to ensure businesses hear back within two business days, and 4) jointly publish a quarterly scorecard on response times, referrals, and businesses served.

• In 2024, the Tallahassee metropolitan area reached $21.3 billion in real gross domestic product, up 4.3% and ahead of both state and national growth for the first time since 2007.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Office of Economic Vitality is the natural convener to turn the cooperation between the three chambers into something business owners can use. Tallahassee needs to implement the four steps outlined in the article to create a more streamlined and accessible support system for local businesses.