Lake City lost a good man that loved his community and enjoyed making a difference. We will all miss Billy Campbell and his friendly face. The Lake City-Columbia County Chamber offices are located in the childhood home of Billy and his family. Billy enjoyed dropping by and telling us about his home and what it was like to grow up in Lake City. His work on developing Campbell Park on Lake Montgomery was a matter of pride. My last visit with him was when he dropped by to tell me about the changes to the park that had just been made. I went by to look but never had the chance to tell him how great everything looked. The park will be enjoyed by many for years to come. Too bad they will not have the chance to know the man that made the park a work of love for his community.

Congratulations to the Downtown Action Corporation on having the mural completed on the Kuykendall building. The mural is definitely a source of community pride and should draw visitors to the downtown to see this. Thanks to Mr. Mont for his donation in making this a reality for Lake City.

Columbia High Principal Terry Huddleston met with the Chamber and TDC to talk about career academies and the role they will play for preparing our young people that might not opt for college after graduation, a career path to enter the work force following graduation. Mr. Huddleston has also asked the Chamber to assist CHS with a career day at the high school to show the different careers that are available in Lake City and Columbia County. The businesses that participate will show not only available careers but the education and training required to receive one of these jobs.

The Lake City Leadership Class of 2008 is staying busy. They have completed tours of local businesses as well as a tour of the Ichetucknee Basin. By the end of the class, the participants will have a better understanding of what it takes to make a community operate. The Chamber appreciates the businesses, government representatives and social service organization that have helped to make this program a success. CCA Lake City and Mercantile Bank provided specific leadership training for the group.

U S Cold Storage is open and operating. The company plans to work with the Chamber in the near future to have an open house and tour for the Chamber. The facility is a good addition to the community and really brightens up the area out by the airport.

The North Florida Economic Development Partnership will have a meeting on April 2nd to discuss how the fourteen counties will share revenue from the two catalyst sites planned for the area. One of the sites will be in Suwannee County and the second in Columbia County. Both sites are designed to have a regional economic impact.

The recent tornado and the impact it had on the community was devastating to the area that was hit. Big thanks to the City, County, Churches and other organizations that responded quickly and provided assistance to those in need. The impact will be around for some time as many of those that were impacted will have to rebuild, repair and in some cases relocate. Once again, the community demonstrated that it can unite in a hurry to deal with events that impact our residents and homes. When you see this cooperation of so many you are proud to live in Lake City and Columbia County. Our people care about each other.

The Chamber is pleased to welcome the following new members: Curves for Women; Kent Harriss Const., Inc.; Hinkson & Assoc., LLC.; Island Shack – West; Moses/Gateway Cleaners; Pro Motion Physical Therapy; Restoration Specialists; Swift Creek Realty & Investment Corp.; and Windsor Arms, LLC;ERA Advantage Realty – Cindy Kirby; Family Focus Eye Care; Arbor; Morse Chiropractic; Lundy Septic; Freeman Design Group, Inc.; Fence Masters; North Florida Divorce & Mediation Services; Suwannee River Area Health Education Center, Inc. For information about the Chamber, you may visit us in person at 162 S. Marion Ave, call us at 386-752-3690 or you can visit our website at www.lakecitychamber.com.