Where Worlds of Opportunity Begin!
Welcome!
Welcome to our brand new web site! We are still building a feature-rich web presence for our members and visitors. Please check-in often! So that you can stay on top of our changes, and receive other important communications, please subscribe via the "Get Updates" section, located in the column to the right.
Also, our interactive membership directory is under construction and will be published shortly.
Newly added: Immokalee & Ave Maria Interactive Maps. Click on the graphic to the right and see a larger version with the businesses link to their own web site.
In April 2009 the Board of Directors approved the name change and expansion of the Chamber of Commerce. We are now the Eastern Collier Chamber of Commerce, (formerly Immokalee Chamber of Commerce).
For further information please contact Richard Rice, Executive Director, phone: (239) 657-3237 or e-mail: ecoc@comcast.net.
Our office address: 1300 N 15th Street - Suite 2, Immokalee, Florida 34142
View Map & Get Directions
What's New?
Restoring Lake Trafford
Wildlife officials are working to restore Lake Trafford in Collier County, and they are hoping 50,000 bulrush plants will help accelerate the process. These plants create a desirable habitat for bugs, fish and other wildlife. Learn why this is important to the community in this Studio 55 video report.
Are the Fireworks Over or Just Beginning?
Collier County Medical Society Forms New Partnership
Naples, Florida, [May 12, 2009] – Collier County Medical Society and the Medical Staffing Division of Express Employment Professionals have entered into a strategic alliance to provide comprehensive staffing and HR solutions to members’ practices.
Express offers practice management tools that help manage employment costs and improve office productivity through the various stages of the economic cycle and seasonal cyclicality. [More]
Reserve your seat now for the next Project Innovation program!
One of the foremost experts of economy building, Dr. Richard Florida will be speaking at the next Project Innovation program, "It Pays to Be Creative", on May 20, 2009, at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club.
Check-in starts at 5:00 p.m. THIS IS A MUST SEE EVENT FOR EVERYONE INTERESTED IN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY! [More]
PSA - Swine Flu Information from EDEN
The Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) has prepared a web site that may help to answer many of your questions about Swine flu.
[More]
May 8th Proclaimed as Birthed-Day of Collier County
All County Commissioners enthusiastically supported Commissioner Donna Fiala's nomination to proclaim May 8th as the Official Birthed-Day of Collier County at the April 28 County Commissioner's meeting.
To celebrate and raise awareness of this historic day some 86 years ago, local Chambers of Commerce of these respective areas and the EDC will ask their memership to serve cake to their employees on May 8th in honor of this day, as well as participate in an on-line Backyard History Quiz sponsored by Naples Backyard History. [More]
Mark Your Calendar - An Evening of Dance!
On Friday, May 1st, 7:00 PM, the United Arts Council of Collier County (with a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts) presents the Brazz Dance Theatre - "A Dance Divertimento", under the direction of Augusto Soledade.
This exciting evening of entertainment is FREE, and will be held at Immokalee High School, 701 Immokalee Drive, Immokalee. Doors open at 6:30 PM. [More]
Save the Date! Ave Maria School of Law Lecture Series
Former U.S. Solicitor General Ted Olson will be the featured speaker at Ave Maria School of Law’s “A Conversation With” lecture series on April 14, 2009 in Naples, Florida.
Olson, who is a partner with the law firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, in Washington, D.C., will also receive a medal of honor for national excellence from the Law School. [More]
Commercial and Business Banking Today...Get the Facts!
A luncheon/workshop on “Banking Today” will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2009,12:00 PM, at the iTECH Center, 508 N. 9th Street, Immokalee, FL 34142.
Get the facts about commercial lending and small business banking in today’s economy; local bankers will be there to inform and answer your questions. All information presented will be specific to Southwest and rural Florida.
[More]
Get REAL with the Small Business Development Center and Workforce Development
Attention all Small Business Owners and Potential Owners! Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board and The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Florida Gulf Cost University are offering the second series of Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning (REAL) Classes this year.
Classes will be held from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM beginning on Thursday, April 30 at the Career & Service Center, 750 South 5th Street in Immokalee. [More]
Save the Date - Career Day at Pinecrest Elementary!
Pinecrest Elementary School in Immokalee seeks your participation in their 'Career Discovery Day', being held Friday, May 15, 2009.
Involvement from local businesses in this endeavor will provide our students with a vision for their future. [More]
Backyard Economics - Local Spending Works!
On March 24, Florida Governor Charlie Christ unveiled the Florida Backyard Card initiative, giving Florida businesses the opportunity to take part in a statewide consumer discount program.
Businesses wishing to participate, can offer discounts to Florida consumers and take advantage of a unique advertising opportunity. [More]
Applicants Sought for Oversight Committee
16 million of your tax dollar need oversight...we need you! Be sure your tax dollars are spent wisely; serve on the Independent Community Referendum Oversight Committee (ICROC).
The committee will monitor the expenditure of referendum dollars over the four-year referendum implementation period (July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2013), specifically as it relates to funding of the current non-mandated educational opportunities for students. [More]
Immokalee businesses have more time to fix noncompliant signs
NAPLES — Small business owners in Immokalee can exhale, but not for long.
The Collier County Commission this week bought them a little more time to bring their signs into compliance.
Some 80 business signs were cited in a December sweep by Collier’s Code Enforcement Department. Once just an agricultural community, Immokalee has a large immigrant population.
The sweep was bad timing, said community activist Fred Thomas.
Thomas called County Manager Jim Mudd and asked if the agency could call off its sign inspector, at least over the Christmas-New Year holiday period.
Mudd agreed, but told Thomas the issue would have to go before Collier commissioners this month.
Tuesday, commissioners grappled with time-lines in a struggling economy: of the 80, 40 business owners promptly complied. But some didn’t understand what was required, or had other economy-driven burdens.
TAPS Automotive owner Thomas Patterson said he’s been in business since 1996.
“We were on the EDC fast-track,” Patterson said, referring to special efforts made by Collier County’s Economic Development Council in blighted areas.
Upcoming Events
Wed, Jul 08, 2009:
Board Meeting
[more...]
Fri, Jul 24, 2009:
Education Committee Meeting
[more...]
Wed, Aug 05, 2009:
Membership Breakfast Meeting
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Wed, Aug 12, 2009:
Board Meeting
[more...]
Fri, Aug 28, 2009:
Education Committee Meeting
[more...]
Wed, Sep 02, 2009:
Membership Breakfast Meeting
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Wed, Sep 09, 2009:
Board Meeting
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Fri, Sep 25, 2009:
Education Committee Meeting
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Get Updates
More News
Tue, 12 May 2009 16:00:00:
Rasmussen College Presents 2 FREE Workshops!
[more...]
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