New leader wants more active group

By Steve Estes

Long-time Big Pine Key resident, and unofficial Mayor Steve Miller, has been named the newest President of the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce.

And he wants to know from the business community on the islands how the chamber can help them be more successful.

“It looks like it’s going to be an interesting year,” said Miller, who is both co-owner of Big Pine Liquors and a part-time member of the staff at US 1 Radio and Conch Country Radio.

Miller says that for years, “The Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce has told you what they do for you. Now we want to hear from our members and the community as a whole what they would like to see from their chamber. How do we make things better?”

He has heard from various segments of the community that the chamber needs to be more of an advocate for the business community in the Lower Keys, that it needs to be more community oriented, “or do we continue to throw social parties for the business community.”

Miller said he wants to promote more of a sense of community within the Lower Keys by having the chamber partner with civic service groups.

“We have talked about pooling our efforts with the Lower Keys Rotary to enhance the annual July 4 fireworks celebration, getting more involved in things that bring the community together,” said Miller.

Miller said he took the chamber position to do what he could to make the Lower Keys a more attractive place.

“I want to give our visitors the best experience we can, and I want to impress them enough that they want to become locals. I think we do that by instilling pride in our area, by telling visitors how its great to live in the most affordable piece of paradise,” said Miller.

“We want to find a way to get people to stop along the highway and take a look at our pieces of paradise, see what we have to offer,” he said.

One of the ideas Miller has discussed with the new chamber board is the implementation of a grant program for island beautification projects.

A possible art grant to allow local artists to showcase their talents, and by default the feeling of the Keys, with murals on buildings is one of the programs Miller has bandied about. But there are others.

“Perhaps we can install welcome signs for each island, plant some landscape buffers, sponsor beautification contests. We want to hear from folks out there what we can do to make a favorable impression on our visitors with the intent to turn them into locals,” said Miller. “Everyone benefits from that.”

Miller said he knows the goals he has outlined for his year at the top are somewhat ambitious, “but sometimes if you get the ball rolling, momentum can be a wonderful thing.”

“Other chambers do a very good job of promoting their community while advocating for the best circumstances for their business partners. I want us to be like that,” he said.

“We’re ready to make a difference in our community and we need everyone’s help to make that happen. The more voices we have, the easier it is to be heard,” he said.

Miller said he actually wants to her from people. He can be reached through his personal email of bpkparksteve@aol.com, or folks can give their thoughts and opinions by calling the chamber at 872-2411 or by emailing info@lowerkeyschamber.com.