![From left are Chamber of Commerce member service representive Nicole Frenk, the head of the building committee Archie Collum, Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce President Donna Tucker in front of planned design of new Chamber building. [KEVIN BOYER | Press Gazette]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-6a48bdec-4a9d-36b9-e053-0100007fde88-e63ad64d-scaled.jpeg)
MILTON — In a ground breaking ceremony April 17, the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce officially began construction for its newly planned headquarters located on Avalon Boulevard across the street from Avalon Baptist Church.
Involved in the event were Chamber President Donna Tucker, Chamber Chairman Ed Carson, Santa Rosa County Commissioners Bob Cole, Don Salter, and Sam Parker, Bruce Baker, Larry Strain, head of the building committee Archie Collum, and Jim Dennum.
According to Chamber President Donna Tucker, the funding for the new building has all been cash donations. Through donations, the Chamber has raised $690,000 toward the completion of the project.
“(I am) very excited about our future,” she said.
The new building will be able to accommodate a larger audience with more parking and bigger facilities.
“The current building has only 15 parking spots and a boardroom that only holds 23 people,” she said.
The new building will have a boardroom with enough room for 50 people and more parking spaces. Avalon Boulevard was chosen for the site of the new building because of the amount of traffic the area receives.
“We have a wonderful community and great chamber members,” Santa Rosa County Commissioner Don Salter said.
Salter, a past Chamber president, has been involved with the Chamber for 29 years. He said that that Avalon Boulevard was the best place for the building because of new business growth nearby.
“Look at the infrastructure," he said. "Look at the power lines, underground sewers, everything you need to accommodate a facility like this.”
Salter said he hopes to have a new courthouse next to the new chamber house in the near future.
Construction began Thursday and will take between 12 and 18 months to complete, according to Tucker. She thanked Archie Collum, head of the building committee, she said, for standing by her through the entire process as well as the entire committee and community for their help.
The design of the home is based on the plantation home Asa May House located in Capps, Fla., which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: New Chamber of Commerce building underway