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General Business Assistance <br />Assisted 48 individuals, including those interested in starting a business, with information <br />on local demographics, statistics, and details on establishing a business in Indian River <br />County. These requests for assistance are via phone calls, email, and walk-ins. <br />Pre- and Post -Hurricane Irma Activities <br />• Participated in daily statewide Emergency Operations conference calls, asking <br />questions, relaying information on how our office is helping local businesses, and <br />receiving information on state/federal assistance programs. <br />• Contacted key manufacturers to check on physical and/or economic damages after the <br />storm. There were few reports of physical damage though many had no internet for <br />several days following the storm. <br />• Coordinated with the IRSC Small Business Development Center, and encouraged <br />businesses that needed short-term financial assistance to apply to the state's <br />Emergency Bridge Loan program. The application process was coordinated through the <br />SBDC network. <br />• Sent information on disaster recovery programs to Chamber members, and via media <br />releases; relayed this information on the Local News Magazine radio show. <br />PROGRAMS <br />ACCRA Cost -of -Living Survey <br />The EDO has participated in the survey since 1996, with Chamber volunteers assisting in <br />the data collection. The program compares the relative price levels for 60 consumer goods <br />and services among 300 communities nationwide. The Council for Community and <br />Economic Research (C2ER) produces the subscription -based ACCRA Cost of Living Index <br />report three times per year. The data is used by business executives and site selectors in <br />comparing the cost of business in select communities. The EDO maintains a cost -of -living <br />calculator on the "Business Assistance" page of our website, and media releases are sent <br />highlighting data from the report. <br />October 2017 <br />Indian River County <br />Ft. Lauderdale <br />McAllan, TX (lowest) <br />Manhattan, NY (highest) <br />*Based on a national average index of 900.0 <br />Overall <br />Housing <br />Apt. <br />Gas <br />Index* <br />Costs <br />Rents. <br />Prices <br />97.4 <br />$298,321 <br />$937 <br />$2.02 <br />119.8 $538,324 $1,845 $2.32 <br />76.7 $225,593 $608 $1.94 <br />242.9 $1,853,004 $4,654 $2.39 <br />1A <br />0 <br />