Southern Ocean County Chamber Regional Business Development Council Completes First Year

SHIP BOTTOM, N.J. - Aug. 4, 2014 - PRLog -- Beginning in 2009, changes in the economy have continued to affect how Southern Ocean County does business. Super Storm Sandy in 2012 caused sustainability issues for local businesses due to lack of staffing, rising cost of operations and relocation of clientele. For the past year, key stakeholders from Lacey, Barnegat, Stafford, Ship Bottom, Beach Haven, Tuckerton, Ocean County and State Governments have been serving on the Southern Ocean County Chamber's Regional Business Development Council reviewing plans and best practices to insure future growth of our area.

"There are so many incremental challenges that are happening within potentially strong business districts, it will take concise action from within each area to effect positive change" states Lori Pepenella member of the Regional Business Panel and Communications and Destination Marketing Director for the 100 year old regional chamber of commerce. The Southern Ocean Chamber has always worked with and supported local business action groups, and hopes out of necessity more groups will become part of the conversation in overcoming specific roadblocks to building successful and vibrant revitalization plans where they have their place of business.

The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce has licensed Roger Brooks webinars, sharing them at open forums in local libraries and key business meetings to introduce paths to 21rst century business development. The Regional Business Development Council is underway preparing their 2020 Vision plan and has been releasing findings quarterly with the overall report scheduled for Fall 2015. The Southern Ocean County Chamber has spent 2013 and 2014 working with local Chambers of Commerce spotlighting Stafford, Barnegat, Lacey and Tuckerton as well as working with organizations for ongoing Centennial Summer events on and off Long Beach Island.  The Southern Ocean County Chamber is presenting a free Business Boot Camp on September 9 sponsored by SBA and WCEC, providing the community with ongoing professional and business related programming close to home. The organization, which is supported by business membership, is investing in regional resources to help build a stronger Southern Ocean County for those who have interests here. For more information about the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce and the LBI Region it serves contact their office at 609 494 7211, www.visitLBIregion.com or stop in at 265 West Ninth Street Ship Bottom NJ.