Katherine Allen
Contributor
Economic development and downtown revitalization are not new concepts to our community. Just ask Lee Harvard or Brantley Helvenston. They were part of the Pride in Action group that, in 1984, moved the 1909 Union Passenger Depot, the present home of North Florida College’s Live Oak location, to its current site. This group established the Veterans’ Park downtown (across from Millennium Park) on the South side of U.S. Highway 90 in Live Oak. In fact, if you look at the exterior between the Pack and Ship and Live Oak Realty downtown, you might see one of the last remaining plaques given to owners of properties who spruced up their locations. How many of you remember when the Community Redevelopment Agency was created?
Fast forward to 2013
After Tropical Storm Debby’s devastating flooding in our area, efforts were made to help bring businesses downtown. UF/IFAS Suwannee County Extension received a grant from The Citizens Institute on Rural Design, which brought experts to help us learn more about walkability, branding and strategic recruitment for our rural downtown.
Now
The efforts continue to make our downtown a vibrant part of our community. One of the most recent efforts is the Sip ‘N Stroll. We know small businesses are critical to economic success. Nationwide, the U.S. Small Business Administration estimates that small businesses generate 44% of all economic activity. We know that small businesses keep revenue within the local community. We know that small businesses can foster innovation because they are more agile than larger companies. We know that they contribute to job creation. In the U.S., small businesses account for approximately 66% of all jobs.
Decision makers and our leaders need to hear everyone’s voice. Because each of us has outside expertise, information, partnerships, etc., we need to understand our community and leverage resources, build more partnerships, and make more informed decisions. We are all a part of the support system that ensures entrepreneurial business success. When was the last time you made a post about your favorite local business? Have you shared your experience either by word of mouth or online? Tagging a business expands its reach to a wider audience. Through the North Florida Economic Development Partnership, Live Oak won a small grant to continue these efforts.
Not if, but when
Not only is an online presence crucial for small business visibility (can you say 24/7?), but it is also crucial for enhancing customer engagement. Social media allows for direct interaction with customers and feedback, which can help respond to market changes. According to the Pew Research Center, 76% of adults have purchased products and services via mobile devices. So, to help our local businesses, we have access to online training modules through the grant. Once you sign up (at smallbusinesssupport.learnupon.com/users/sign_up), you will have a year to access them. They are short, bite-sized chunks of information. Look for opportunities to attend in person at the Extension office in Live Oak starting in the spring.
For more information, contact Katherine Allen at the UF/IFAS Suwannee County Extension office, an Equal Opportunity Institution, at 386-362-2771.