The Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit corporation whose main function is to promote progress and a positive business climate in Glynn County. As a volunteer organization working alongside businesses in Glynn County, the Chamber has helped shape the Brunswick area into a thriving economic environment that takes full advantage of the multitude of natural assets available here. As business, industry and tourism have grown, so has the Chamber's commitment to sustained progress.
The Chamber does not operate as a department of the city, county or state, as it is a membership organization. Membership investments and expenses are tax deductible as a business expense rather than a charitable contribution, and businesses of every size and description are part of the Chamber. The Chamber's membership is composed primarily by small businesses with 80 percent of the membership made up of businesses with 10 employees or less.
The Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce utilizes several committees to help advance their goals and programs. Committees like:
The committees set individual goals that help to further the overall aims of the Chamber. In addition, the Chamber shares a building with and maintains close ties to the Brunswick-Golden Isles Visitors Bureau and the Economic Development Authority. Together, these three organizations lend even more support to the development of the tourism industry, new and existing business, and new industry which may be interested in building within Glynn County.
Chamber activities promote business and put business people in contact with each other to make things happen.
Visitors Bureau
The Brunswick Golden Isles Visitors Bureau is an arm of the Chamber, created for the purpose of promoting Brunswick & the Golden Isles as a visitor destination. Its funding is from the Transient Occupancy (Bed) Tax collected through Glynn County and the City of Brunswick with participation from the Jekyll Island Authority.
The Bureau participates in group tour and travel trade shows, hosts travel writers and video production companies, and responds to over 250,000 requests for information annually. For moe information visit www.bgicvb.com.
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center provides one-on-one business consulting to local small business owners and prospective entrepreneurs. Assistance is provided in the areas of financial analysis, marketing, record keeping/taxes, business planning, market research and others.
Additionally, the SBDC conducts regular business related workshops at the Chamber of Commerce. Twice monthly, "How to start a Business" workshops are offered to the public. This workshop explains the nuts and bolts of getting a business venture off the ground.
The Brunswick and Glynn County Development Authority (EDA)
The purpose of the Development Authority is to promote new industry and existing industry expansion. In order to fulfill this responsibility, the Brunswick and Glynn County Development Authority is engaged in various economic development activities, which include but are not limited to the following:
Conducts an aggressive marketing campaign for industrial and commercial prospects
Develops industrial parks and freestanding industrial sites for use by expanding and new businesses
Maintains legislative liaison with local, state, and national legislative delegations