The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce contracted with Buxton's CommunityID division as an important piece of the Chamber's comprehensive redevelopment effort for northwest Jacksonville. At the beginning of the study, three trade areas were profiled where retail and restaurant business have declined substantially over the past 30 years.

"We know that to create a stronger foundation for the community, we have to bring in the kinds of stores and restaurants that people need and that the area will support," said Glenda Washington, director of the Chamber's northwest redevelopment organization.

Based on the findings, Chamber leaders narrowed their focus to a trade area at the junction of Pritchard Road and N. Old King's Road, near I-295. "This intersection shows a tremendous potential for growth based on the shopping habits of the people near this area as well as its proximity to a major highway," said Gregory Owens, the volunteer co-chairman of the Chamber's Core City Phase II Committee.

Using its proprietary methodologies and drawing on its database of 111 million households, Buxton identified the spending habits and lifestyles of customers in the trade area. After comparing this information to core customer profiles of regional and national retailers, Buxton recommended dozens of chains whose client base matched that of the trade area. After working with Chamber leaders to narrow the list to 20 possibilities, Buxton provided the Chamber with detailed recruitment packages for each chain.

Washington said the Chamber will give the Buxton study results to the targeted retailers to alert the companies to the trade area's potential for success. In addition, the Chamber is providing the Buxton data to realtors and developers to spur interest in the area.

"Northwest Jacksonville is primed for an economic revitalization, and we are excited to help the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce in its efforts to target suitable businesses," said Chip Rodgers, Assistant Vice President of Buxton's Eastern Region.

About the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce

The Jacksonville Regional Chamber is a not-for-profit organization managed by a professional staff and led by a core group of volunteers. The Chamber has served the Jacksonville community for 120 years, with the goals of helping local businesses achieve their goals and contributing to a continuously higher standard of living and quality of life for all people on the First Coast. For more information, visit www.myjaxchamber.com