COMMITTED TO BUSINESSES IN OUR COMMUNITY

Dedicated To Your Success

The Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce is committed to our businesses and community!  As a chamber we are dedicated to not only promoting our great destination to visitors and tourists but also to those who would like to become residents, open and/or relocate businesses; as well as engage in initiatives and programs that will support, benefit, and empower our businesses & community.

The Marathon Chamber of Commerce currently operates two groups that are charged with economic development initiatives:
I. Marathon Economic Development Committee (MEDC)
II. Marathon Red Carpet Tours Program

Both groups are committed to taking action(s) to improve the economics and development of business and tourism in Marathon, both present and future. For more info on relocating to our islands check out our relocation website for helpful information, statistics, demographics, and more.

Couple having coffee and sharing a moment

Goals:

1

To work together to ensure the sustained economic development of the City of Marathon & the Middle Keys.

2

To attain funding via grants and other various methods to assist in the development, improvement, and beautification of properties within Marathon.

3

To effectively develop, implement, and manage the marketing of Marathon to potential tourists, businesses, and those who plan to relocate to Marathon.

4

To encourage, market & recruit new business & commerce to Marathon.

Current Projects, Programs, & Initiatives:

This is a 2-4 minute promotional video for Marathon and the middle keys.  Focuses on all the great activities, attributes, and atmosphere our destination has to offer visitors and newcomers.  Will be available to all members as well as member’s websites. The video will be placed on various internet sites to promote Marathon (YouTube, FaceBook, Twitter, Chamber Website, etc.) as well as displayed at various tradeshows around the world! The video is completed and active, click here to watch the video!

The MEDC is working on a new program that will award winners for the best “business-plan” as well as a “new start-up business” here in Marathon!  Awards will consist of a cash prize, discounts with local businesses/vendors as well as a team of advisors that will help the new start-up business.

The MEDC started a monthly email blast in the Spring of 2009. These email blasts go to over 250 travel writers as well as over 20,000 recent Marathon visitors! Our database continuously grows, and business members have the opportunity to place ads in these emails every month. The emails are designed to inform and attract visitors to our destination and include an events calendar.

Annual grant program created in 2011 to help improve the aesthetic and visual appearance of our US1 corridor in the Middle Keys/Marathon. Each year we award up to ten (10) matching grants up to $2,000 each.

MEDC has conducted research and interfaced with various professionals in the industry to help redefine Marathon’s identity to better position ourselves for the future and to potential visitors. New slogan developed is The Islands of Marathon, the Boating Destination of the FL Keys.

We have also successfully made recommendations to our district marketing committee to advertise in more publications in-line with our desired demographics and identity such as boating & yachting as well as general aviation publications.

The MEDC has successfully made recommendations and worked with our city to allow for a smoother, quicker, and more efficient building permit allocation/attainment process as well as reducing the amount it costs to transfer building rights. Both initiatives serve to increase the number of building projects which results in job creation, increased population, and the exchanging of professional and commercial services/products.

We worked with the city and county on attaining customs & immigration services at Marathon Airport & Boot Key Harbor (opened 2016). This has already resulted in more general/private air service/traffic as well as increasing the number of visitors that can and have visited our destination.

Formed the Marathon Red Carpet Tours program which actively markets and recruits new business, ventures, investment(s), and people seeking to relocate to Marathon and the Middle Keys. Visit this program’s useful website for additional info: www.relocatetothefloridakeys.com/

WE ARE PROUD TO HELP WITH YOUR NEXT VISIT

Come Play In The Florida Keys

If you are planning a vacation to the Heart of the Florida Keys, this is the place to start! We have something for everyone – wonderful food, tropical lodging, family-friendly attractions, and more.

See What You Can Enjoy

Questions? We’d love to help. ›