New Jackson County Chamber of Commerce President John Deane said he wants to see more growth in the Chamber’s work.
Deane named president after the former Chamber President Darren Meyer resigned. Deane is the founder of Wildwood Resort and Marina and has served on the chamber board
“Considering we have one FTE (Full-Time Employee) chamber executive and a ton of volunteers, I think we are doing really good work,” Deane said. “But the opportunity over time as we grow membership and as the county continues to prosper and the hotel motel tax continues to expand we will have the resources that are needed to do even more.”
Deane said learning from late County Mayor Randy Heady and his experience on the chamber board has equipped him to lead the chamber.
“To be honest with you, in the early days, I was attracted to being at chamber meetings because that’s where Randy Heady was and that guaranteed me a monthly interaction with Randy, which I found very useful,” Deane said. “He was a great partner in helping us to develop our business, and you know, a fantastic leader for Jackson County, especially in tourism. The chamber was a great venue for having those conversations and staying connected to the mayor’s office, and it’s sort of a natural fit for me given my role.”
Deane said he would like to see a greenway and a boardwalk in Jackson County. Deane said the boardwalk would connect Wildwood Resort and Marina, Historic Granville, the County Courthouse, and Roaring River Park.
“Opportunities to enhance connection between all the wonderful things that are happening in our county, the ability to walk from one place to another without getting in your car, as the green ways would provide, is pretty spectacular, and it puts us on par with development that resembles places like Nashville,” Deane said.
Deane said continuing to focus on tourism efforts will essentially create more economic growth opportunities for the county.
