provided to The Santiva Chronicle
From banks and internet providers to accountants and wellness facilitators, nearly 20 vendors set up for the Sep. 3 inaugural SanCap Chamber Business Resource Fair at The Community House on Sanibel Island. Two speakers in leadership positions with the Lee County Economic Development Office (EDO) spoke at the business luncheon meeting portion of the event, sponsored by Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI).
“We are grateful to CFI for floating the idea of this first-time fair and partnering with the chamber to make it happen,” said John Lai, president and chief executive officer of the SanCap Chamber. “Island small business owners certainly left with a new set of tools to take the next step toward resiliency and growth.”
While attendees enjoyed lunch catered by Rosalita’s Cantina of Sanibel Island, EDO Director John Talmage and Senior Business Developer Tatum Walker brought them up to date on commercial development throughout the county and a new resource tool now available to small businesses.
Talmage talked about the good news: the numerous health care and other high-employing companies moving into the county; and the not-so-good news: the challenges facing the county as it grows less rural, more metropolitan. Quality of and access to water, sufficient workforce, and affordable housing count among issues the county works to resolve, he said.
“On the housing front, Lee County has now spent money for 3,800 new affordable housing units….” Talmage said. “You’ve got your own wonderful CHR right here… I’ve got to tell you between FISH, CHR, and the Charitable Island Foundation, that’s what makes the island go around.”
Walker introduced a new online Business Continuity Planning Guide to serve as a checklist and resource for businesses to prepare, not just for hurricane disasters, but any circumstance that changes or interrupts the course of a small business. Access to the guide is at horizoncouncilfoundation.com/business-continuity-resources/.
“I think a lot of small businesses consider ‘resources’ as money, but it’s all of us in this room,” said Walker. “It’s every business that you create a relationship with, it’s every business that you connect with, and it’s part of the planning for resiliency and for sustainability.”
Following the speakers, the chamber opened the vendor fair to attendees, giving them the opportunity to connect with local businesses and organizations for the betterment of their own businesses. The chamber raffled prizes to those who checked off at least seven visits during their rounds.
The next monthly business luncheon will take place Wednesday, Oct. 15, at Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel Island, featuring speaker Eric Eikenberg, The Everglades Foundation chief executive officer.
ABOUT SANCAP CHAMBER
The SanCap Chamber is dedicated to promoting the prosperity of its members and preserving the quality of life of our community. The Chamber plays a key role in facilitating communication and cooperation between business, residents, and government to enhance the economic health of the islands. Its website, sanibel-captiva.org, receives over 1.3 million visits per year. For more information about the chamber, visit sanibel-captiva.org or contact John Lai, president and CEO, at 239-472-2348 or John@sanibel-captiva.org.