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Chamber membership is profitable for your business!

A national study reveals that membership in a local chamber of commerce significantly boosts a business’s image among consumers and other businesses.

The study by The Schapiro Group, an Atlanta-based market research firm, shows that when consumers know that a business is a member of the local chamber, they are 44 percent more likely to rate it favorably.

The study is good news for all Chamber members:

·         Consumers are 63 percent more likely to buy goods and services from a company they believe is a member of the chamber of commerce.

·         When decision-makers believe a business is a chamber member, they are 59 percent more likely to buy goods and services from that business.

·         When consumers believe a restaurant chain is a chamber member, they are 40 percent more likely to eat at the franchise.

Invest in the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce today and grow your business!

Volusia and Flagler's taxable property valuations dropped about 18 percent and 16.6 percent respectively in 2008, according to preliminary figures recently released by county property appraisers. These declines range from 10.6 percent in DeBary; 16.8 percent in Palm Coast; and almost 24 percent in Deltona and Ponce Inlet. (The determinations are based on property values as of Dec. 31, 2008.)

These figures (and subsequent adjustments) will be used by local governments during the next several months to prepare their budgets and property tax rates for the upcoming year.

VCARD's June 5 forum analyzed this process of assessing property values, particularly focusing on the recent economic downturn's impact on property valuations and the assessment process. The forum include an indepth presentation by Volusia County Property Appraiser Morgan Gilreath. Thanks also to the other participants: Attorneys Mark Watts (Cobb Cole) and Mark Hall; Appraiser Cliff Fisher; and Program Coordinator Ron Nowviskie (Root Organization).

FYI - Legislation passed during the reecnt session (HB521) lends more support to property owners who challenge a county property appraiser's assessment of their property value. The new law refines the "presumption of correctness" for property appraisers when their assessments are challenged, thus giving the impacted property owners equality in the process. Previously, they held the burden to prove the assessor was wrong.