Six Pillars Framework

Welcome to a cornerstone of our commitment to Nassau County's growth and prosperity - the Six Pillars Framework.

As the voice of businesses in Nassau County, the Chamber of Commerce prides itself on not just representing, but also shaping the future of our community. The Six Pillars Framework underpins our strategy, guiding our initiatives and defining our approach to ensuring a flourishing economic landscape. These pillars are the embodiment of our aspirations for Nassau County - a reflection of what we believe are the essential components to build a resilient, prosperous, and inclusive community.

For decades, the Chamber has been at the forefront of community and business advocacy.

Our role has evolved to be more than just a representative; we are now a catalyst for change. With the Six Pillars Framework, we've distilled our goals, experience, and vision into guiding principles that will navigate Nassau County towards unparalleled growth and success.

As you delve deeper into this section, you'll discover each of our pillars, understand their importance, and see the concrete initiatives we've rolled out in alignment with them. Together, let's build a Nassau County that future generations will be proud to call home.

Innovation & Economic Development

The Chamber supports emphasis on Business Development and Retention in a coordinated and efficient process and program. The Chamber recognizes the importance of an updated and comprehensive Economic Action Plan which would include:

Assess current conditions
Indexing, Benchmarking and Economic Competitiveness
Define and leverage community/business input
Include Vision 2032 Economic Development element update
Determine systems improvement
Address equity and inclusion in plan
Implement Action Plan
Effective regional participation with JaxUSA and Enterprise Florida

The Chamber recognizes that available industrial land is the center of an economic engine for Nassau County. We support actions that maintain industrial land from the current available inventory.

The Chamber supports continued funding for programs which support community character, asset protection and investments.

Initiatives

Focused marketing
Modernized lead focus
Women/veterans + diversity outreach
Local innovation grants

Funding Sources

Nassau County Board of County Commissioners Grants

Business Climate & Competitiveness

Nassau County, City of Fernandina Beach, towns of Hilliard and Callahan must be an attractive place to do business. First and foremost, focus must be on providing first-class customer service to be business friendly. To create and retain jobs, our community must be perceived as a place that is worthy of business investment.

The Chamber recommends that all local governmental entities adopt a 'local purchasing' preference policy.

The Chamber supports a clear, concise, accurate and expedient permitting process across all Governments.

The Chamber urges the City of Fernandina Beach to review current government processes for duplicative and unnecessary regulatory and permitting requirements on business.

The Chamber supports the updating of local purchasing policies to include a 5% allowance on competitive bids and request for proposals and tie-bids automatically awarded to local business.

Initiatives

Funding Sources

ARPA
Grants
Nassau County Chamber of Commerce contribution

Civic & Governance Systems

The Chamber encourages local governments to include business leaders on committee and task force assignments.

The Chamber encourages fairness across political boundaries (county vs. city/towns).

The Chamber recommends Government officials engage, collaborate, and participate with the business community through the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce.

Recognizing the population growth, the Chamber encourages a Charter Review for Nassau County to specifically consider adding two 'at-large' seats to the Commission.

The Chamber supports holding government more accountable for property tax increases and opposes the continued shifting of the property tax burden onto businesses and rental properties.

The Chamber supports a clear, concise, expedited and streamlined permitting process for new and existing businesses.

There must be cooperation and effective communication among political subdivisions such as the City, Towns, County, and surrounding communities. It is important not to make decisions in isolation and to be aware of the regional impact of local decisions.

Any time decisions are contemplated that affect a particular segment of the community, representatives of that affected sector should be invited to the table for dialogue and input. Their input should be used as a meaningful direction in the process of developing sound public policy.

City and County government officials should consider functional consolidation to achieve improved administrative efficiency, streamlined processes, and elimination of duplication of administrative and regulatory functions. Ultimately, appropriate functional consolidation will improve customer service and reduce compliance costs for business and citizens.

The Chamber of Commerce welcomes and encourages pro-business candidates of all political affiliations and backgrounds to run for public office. For that reason, the Chamber of Commerce encourages the election of persons who understand both the central importance of what it takes to run and grow a business, as well as the business community’s role in providing a livelihood for its citizens.

Initiatives

Funding Sources

Nassau County Board of County Commissioners
Nassau County Chamber of Commerce

Talent Supply & Education

Support provisions for adequate workforce housing, including low, very low- and moderate-income housing options in Nassau County.

The Chamber supports local government in the implementation of surplus land disposition to benefit the development of essential housing.

The Chamber supports workforce development and training for current and future business and industry which will supply the workforce of tomorrow.

The Chamber encourages having accurate and timely local labor market data as a means for planning

Recent studies have indicated that the increasing rates of poverty in Nassau County pose a threat to our community’s future economic growth. The Chamber encourages a frank, community-wide discussion on this issue with a focus on the need to invest in early childhood education and job training initiatives to prepare those in poverty for full participation in the local economy.

Initiatives

K-12 initiatives
Teacher internships
On-demand training
Opportunity new hope

Funding Sources

ARPA
Grants
Nassau County Chamber of Commerce

Infrastructure & Growth Leadership

The Chamber supports local control of planning and orderly growth outlined in the comprehensive plan(s).

The Chamber supports long- term growth planning and management.

Transportation is a key concern of the business community. Efficient movement of people and on- time delivery of goods and services is essential to keep area employers competitive.

As a top priority, we urge the County to continue its current expedited plans to develop auxiliary roadways as alternate routes to SR200/A1A in partnership and cooperation with the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO).

The Chamber supports facilitating a stable environment where utilities can support the community, with a goal of eclectic energy self-sufficiency on Amelia Island while allowing faster electric service recovery from hurricane/storm caused outages, as well as providing an atmosphere that promotes economic development.

Impact and permit fees should be held to a minimum, as excessive fees deter utilities in making investments that will strengthen the infrastructure, lower rates, and provide reliable service.

The Chamber supports the continued development of infrastructure for Crawford Diamond.

The Chamber supports improving digital infrastructure.

Initiatives

Funding Sources

ARPA
Grants
Nassau County Chamber of Commerce

Quality of Life & Quality of Places

The Chamber supports Nassau County funding for beautification projects and regular maintenance of the main thoroughfares.

It is important to maintain the natural resources and scenic beauty in partnership with business and industry. Reward environmental stewardship and sustainable practices in business, government, and development are more effective than mandating regulation. Local government officials, business leaders, and other stakeholders must continue to work together to address emerging water issues (such as surface and groundwater quality and quantity, as well as storm water management) and to encourage and reward innovation and conservation.

The Chamber supports water and environmental projects to improve Nassau County's natural resources.

Initiatives

Community Land Trust housing initiative
DEI initiatives

Funding Sources

FDOT
JTA
ARPA
Grants State/federal appropriations