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Our Story

Mission

The Nassau County Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based association of businesses, professional leaders and individuals working together to sustain a favorable business climate that enables existing and new businesses to prosper. The Chamber will provide leadership that aggressively promotes responsible economic growth, employment opportunities, responsible government, excellence in education and quality of life.

Vision

We will contribute to a higher standard of living and quality of life for the citizens of Nassau County by maintaining and promoting a prosperous and vibrant business community.

Values

We will act with fairness and integrity. We will represent our membership as responsible citizens in the business communities that they serve. We will work as a team in our membership-based association of businesses, professional leaders and individuals. We will value countywide membership. We will take leadership positions to promote responsible economic growth, employment opportunity, responsible government, excellence in education and quality of life. We will hold the business needs of our membership to be our highest priority and will deliver high-quality and timely cost-effective programs, products and services that meet these needs.

History & Milestones

1925

Establishment of the Fernandina Chamber of Commerce, created to advocate for merchants in our community

1927

Fernandina Chamber of Commerce fights against Railroad Cutoff Bill in Tallahassee

1956

Fernandina Chamber of Commerce now recognized as Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce, expanding service area 

1970

Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce supports appointed School Board Superintendent

1975

Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Fernandina Beach, created welcome station at waterfront for visitors

1978

The Chamber of Commerce agreed to share the Depot Building, and the first Museum opened in the old train depot

1995

Founded the Nassau County Economic Development Board

Partnered with the Sierra Club for conservation and designation of Egan's Creek Greenway

Partnered with the City of Fernandina Beach and submitted a plan for an independent, multi-purpose bike path/trail, known today as Egan's Creek Greenway Trail

2000

Founded the Leadership Nassau program, created to assist in the development of community leaders by providing participants from diverse backgrounds with an understanding of the problems, opportunities and issues facing the community

2002

Purchased the office condo at the Gateway Commons office park and moved the Chamber office from the downtown train depot to its current location

2003

Produced the very first edition of the Discover Nassau Life & Leisure Guide

2005-2007

Advocated and lobbied state officials and Florida Department of Transportation for the three lane expansion of A1A/SR 200

2006

Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 50th anniversary

2007

Awarded Florida Chamber of Commerce of the Year from the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals (FACP)

2008

Purchased Discovery Map of Amelia Island, making the Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce the only Chamber in the country to own its own franchise

2011

Hosted the very first Public Officials Appreciation Reception, an exclusive event created to bring local, state, and federal elected officials and business owners together in an informal and relaxed setting

2015

Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce submitted application for Fernandina Beach Main Street acceptance and designation as a Florida Main Street community; founded Fernandina Beach Main Street

2017

Advocated for and solidified first Public Transportation Study for Nassau County

2018

Merged with the Greater Nassau County Chamber of Commerce, officially changing organization name from the Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce to the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce, expanding services to the entire county

Opened the Business Resource & Innovation Center, commonly known as the BRIC, as the first co-working space in Nassau County

2020

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chamber responded by using thousands of dollars from the CARES Act to provide sanitizing supplies, paper towels, masks, and other necessary items to every business in the county, regardless of their membership status 

2023

With workforce housing becoming one of the most prominent issues facing our community, the Chamber formed the Community Land Trust, a foundation created to provide opportunities for very low, low, and moderate-income individuals to secure quality, affordable housing that is controlled by the residents on a long-term basis

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