by David Chapman
Staff Writer
When the economy gets tough, the tough – or advantageous – get going to Downtown Council.
That’s what Jim Love believes he’s seeing with membership numbers for the Downtown chapter of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s networking and idea-sharing organization that meets the first and third Friday of every month.
“You’d think with a down economy, we’d be down,” said Love, 2008 Downtown Council president. “But, actually, we’re up. I think people are really coming in and looking for other ways to generate business.”
Downtown Council is one of nine councils within the Chamber’s Small Business Center and provides networking opportunities, topical speakers and social functions for Downtown business leaders.
Love, a State Farm insurance agent in Riverside, has been there every step of the way and even served on its original board.
As president, he hopes to continue the organization’s tradition of engaging speakers while contributing ideas to make Downtown more successful and increase membership. His plan for the year is a 10 percent net increase; halfway through the year, it’s around a 5 percent increase.
“You’re going to lose some members every year,” he said. “It’s inevitable. People drop out of business and move all the time, especially in times like these. Even with that, we’re growing.”
Though business and local news and issues are usually a focal point, Downtown Council isn’t your ordinary humdrum affair – mainly because of the aforementioned speakers, which have included mayors, City and State officials and local sports figures among others.
“The meetings are really a lot of fun,” said Love. “There’s usually never a dull moment and the whole place is energetic.”
Jepp Walter of Redline Services, the Downtown Council 2008 president-elect, echoed that sentiment. He’s been with the organization for five years, with the Chamber for over 20 and was a founder of the Chamber’s Information Technology Council.
“I’ve been to a few of the different Councils but have enjoyed the one Downtown the most,” said Walter. “I really enjoy the speakers and the overall mix of people... you see and hear about change more often.”
It’s that potential for change both Love and Walter cited as reasons they enjoy Downtown Council.
The group participates in the Chamber’s yearly excursion to cities across the country – and even an international destination or two – that provide a firsthand look at successful infrastructures Jacksonville can implement and improve upon.
Love mentioned past Chamber trips to Baltimore’s riverfront area for ideas on Landing improvements and a trip to San Antonio for ideas on the riverfront area.
This year’s Chamber trip will be to Seattle, where Love, Walter and others will get a look at the Emerald City’s thriving port and Fisherman’s Wharf for ideas.
Infrastructure and business changes aside, maybe the most popular changes the organization partakes in are the feline-inspired cosmetic ones Downtown. The paw prints painted on Bay Street every year have become a recognizable and new tradition for the Downtown Council, said Love.
On the first Saturday of the first Jacksonville Jaguars preseason game, members of the civic organization gather at the Bostwick Building on Bay and Ocean streets in the morning and put a fresh coat of paint on each of the yellow painted cat paws that go all the way down Bay Street to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.
The painting usually takes a little over an hour and is scheduled for Aug. 9 at 8 a.m. – the morning of the Jaguar’s first home preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons.
“It’s a tradition now and always a lot of fun,” said Love. “We’re doing it again this year and we’re encouraging everyone to come out.”
For more information on the Downtown Council, call Dawn Brown at the Chamber at 924-1100 ext. 237.
356-2466