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It is my pleasure to present to you the 2009 Manatee Chamber of Commerce’s Preferred Business Directory & Newcomer’s Guide. You are encouraged to keep this guide as a resource for learning about our beautiful community. Once you have become acquainted with our area, you will see why residents and visitors alike call it paradise.

As a Chamber member, I strongly encourage you to “buy locally” when fulfilling your business and personal needs for goods and services. Whenever you contact other members, let them know you’re contacting them because they are fellow Chamber members. It’s good business, and it’s good for our community.

The Manatee Chamber is a proud winner of the National Chamber of the Year Award and is the only three-time winner of the Florida Chamber of the Year Award. These accolades are a product of working with our members each year to formulate our Leadership Initiatives. In 2009 these include forming a Healthcare Committee to address issues identified in the 2008 Healthcare Study, and helping our members and our community in challenging economic times through the creation of new initiatives designed to support economic development and our quality of life. We will educate members and the public on the impact of the proposed “Hometown Democracy” constitutional amendment and on local efforts to advance “smart growth” practices. We will work with local government officials to identify incentives and implement policies that will encourage redevelopment in the County’s and Cities’ core areas. In addition to a full and broad ongoing program of work, the Chamber will enhance the elements that contribute to a positive quality of life and work with the Tampa Bay Partnership and TBARTA to develop a robust and practical multi-modal transportation network.

This is your Chamber, and I encourage you to get involved. Your active participation in community and Chamber activities will be rewarding to you and to your business. I hope to see you at one of our many after hours, coffee clubs and other excellent events throughout the coming year.

Sincerely,

Mac Carraway, President
SMR FARMS, LLC
2009 Chairman of the Board