The Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce laid off four employees this week and placed its downtown office up for sale as it restructures following a fourth-quarter financial shortfall. 

Dr. Theresa Beachy, chair of the board of directors, said the chamber faced a $250,000 shortfall caused by multiple factors coming together coincidentally. She said the primary reason was lower than projected economic development and membership revenues.  

Besides fiscal reshuffling, chamber CEO Eric Godet announced in October that he would resign after seven years at the helm. Godet’s tenure will end Dec. 31, and the chamber will start a search for a replacement in the spring. 

Beachy said the chamber’s annual budget fluctuates but often sits around $1.1 million to $1.6 million. She said the shortfalls came together in the fourth quarter, and once the board realized an issue, it began to act. 

The chamber asked members for aid to fill the shortfall, and along with a bridge loan from the Community Foundation of North Central Florida, Beachy said the deficit was corrected. 

“We’re optimistic about coming through the transition in the first quarter of next year and hoping to be a stronger, albeit smaller, chamber to tackle the post-COVID world,” Beachy said. 

Losing four staff members is a 25% cut in the staff, and Beachy said the chamber aims to focus on member priorities, which could mean programming changes. She said the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce had previously discussed moving from its current building (300 E University Ave. # 100).  

Beachy said the center of business in Gainesville has shifted over the years, and the chamber will try to relocate to a strong commercial area, like off US 441 or NW 43rd Street. 

She said as local businesses get bought by national companies, the chamber sees the impact as those new owners interact with chambers differently. She said the economic climate and a few investments that failed to come through also hurt the financials. 

Immediately adjusting staff levels and building needs allows the chamber to prevent any long-term problems, Beachy said, versus trying to keep all staff and survive in the same building, which could elongate the issue. 

The Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce hasn’t had a recent audit. Beachy said no one funding the chamber has required one, but the board always received regular financial updates.  

She said an audit of the 2026 books will happen to ensure the new CEO enters with full awareness of what’s happening with the chamber. Beachy said the chamber doesn’t plan to further reduce staff.