Description

As part of Economic Development Week 2025, we invite you to join us at Alligator Lake Trail for A Taste of Tourism, where we’ll highlight the vital role tourism plays in our local economy. This casual morning gathering invites you to walk the scenic trails, enjoy light refreshments, and hear from community partners who help showcase the natural beauty and recreational assets of our region. Whether you’re a business owner, community leader, or outdoor enthusiast, this event is a refreshing way to connect and reflect on how tourism supports jobs, drives traffic to local businesses, and enhances quality of life for residents and visitors alike. 

About Economic Development Week: In collaboration with the Columbia County Economic Development Department, the Chamber of Commerce is proud to present Columbia County Economic Development Week 2025, a celebration themed “Celebrating Connection: The Business of Building Community.” This dynamic, week-long series of events—taking place May 5–9—highlights the partnerships, projects, and progress shaping Columbia County’s economic future. 

The week kicks off with the Fiesta for Development, Commerce and Tourism, an energetic evening reception growing opportunities in our community. From there, attendees will enjoy a walking tour of Alligator Lake Trail during A Taste of Tourism, celebrate collaborative business development at TownePlace Suites, and witness the power of infrastructure investment at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park Wastewater Treatment Plant ribbon cutting. The week concludes with a special luncheon at the Blanche Hotel featuring keynote speaker Shellie Phelps, Executive Director of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Economic Development Week serves as both a tribute to the businesses and industries that continue to invest in Columbia County and a shared visioning experience as we work together to build a stronger, more connected future.