April 14, 2008 — While there's always been a St. John in the St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce, St. John residents recently organized their own chapter.
"The benefit is more business for St. John businesses and a better understanding of what the business climate is and how things happen in it," Kate Norfleet, owner of Kate N Design said.
Norfleet is a member of the St. Thomas/St. John chamber board of directors and a moving force in getting the St. John chapter organized.
She said that in addition to herself, Fraser Drummond, Jose Penn, Debbie Hime, and Andrew Rutnik got the chapter underway about nine months ago.
Norfleet said that while there has been "up and down" participation from St. John businesses over the years, the growth in St. John's business community calls for the development of its own chapter.
Norfleet said that while St. John business owners are "wonderfully independent," the connection to the St. Thomas business community can only help.
She said that St. John needs its own chamber chapter because the island's issues are different than those on St. Thomas.
The chamber has put tourism high on its list of issues.
"It's about developing a more welcoming experience," Hime, who is working on the chamber's tourism initiative, said.
For example, Hime said she regularly sees tourists who are unsure about which way to go when they get off the ferry. Hime said the chamber is discussing solutions that may call for a large map of Cruz Bay, a booklet that provides information about what to do on St. John or even hiring greeters for St. John and Red Hook, St. Thomas.
Other projects on the front burner include public safety, and Norfleet said a committee is working with the Police Department and a security company to evaluate the situation with surveillance cameras.
She said the St. John chapter is also working on health issues, including the Star of Life Ambulance boat, and has put education on its list of issues that need to be addressed.
And she said the chamber is working in concert with the Tourism Department and V.I. National Park.
The chamber wants to improve membership and let businesses know about its benefits. Norfleet said there are currently 41 members and that while active participation is always good, just joining helps.
"It gives your business a voice," she said.
She said membership provides networking opportunities for businesses as well as social opportunities. For example, she said the Chamber of Commerce is honoring Stanley Selengut, owner of Maho Bay Camps and other St. John properties, at its annual dinner dance on May 31 at St. Peter Greathouse. She said Selengut will get the Bill LaMotta award for his outstanding contribution to improving the quality of life on St. John.
Norfleet said that the St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce website gets many hits from people who are looking to start businesses on St. John and from those who are planning vacations and looking for reassurance that a business is legitimate. Norfleet said this is especially important with vacation villas.
The St. John chapter meets for an hour at 5:30 p.m. every third Thursday at St. Ursula's Multipurpose Center.
Call Norfleet at 693-9099.
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