Member News
Florida Chamber of Commerce member press releases/updates.
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Nov- 2022 -3 November
Polk State College adds $215.5 million to Polk County economy
A recent study asserts that even during the midst of a global pandemic, Polk State College’s credit programs add $215.5 million in total income to the Polk County economy. The College commissioned a study by Emsi Burning Glass last year using Fiscal Year 2020-2021 data for degree-seeking students to establish a baseline as it updates its strategic plan and prepares for significant growth in student enrollment, programs, and geographic footprint. Polk State College programs include…
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1 November
Board of Trustees Selects Dr. Ben Sasse as The University of Florida’s 13th President
The University of Florida Board of Trustees unanimously voted today to select Dr. Ben Sasse as the University of Florida’s next president. Sasse, currently a U.S. senator for the state of Nebraska, will become the 13th president of Florida’s flagship public university, pending ratification by the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the State University System and is scheduled to consider the matter on Nov. 10. An accomplished academic with a career spanning both the…
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1 November
The Lake City Columbia County Chamber of Commerce announces the 2022 Business Excellence Awards
The Lake City – Columbia County Chamber of Commerce will hold the 2022 Business Excellence Awards presented by Meskel & Associates Engineering on Monday, November 7, 2022 at The Blanche Hotel starting at 5:30pm. “The Business Excellence Awards event is always a special night as we are able to recognize some of the best and brightest in the Chamber membership,” stated Joey O’Hern, the Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Director. “It’s a celebratory evening and one…
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Oct- 2022 -27 October
Florida SBDC, SBA to open Mobile Business Recovery Centers in Bradenton
Florida SBDC Network – Small businesses in Manatee County impacted by Hurricane Ian will be able to receive help applying for state and federal disaster loans at temporary Mobile Business Recovery Centers opening in Bradenton. The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will open temporary Mobile Business Recovery Centers (BRC) this week and next at the following locations: At these locations, Florida SBDC at USF and SBA disaster specialists will…
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25 October
No Degree? No Problem. Fidelity to Offer Fully Funded Undergraduate Degrees to Many of Its Entry-Level Employees
Fidelity Investments® today announced that it will offer fully funded undergraduate degrees to many of its employees, providing access to education for early-career customer service representativesi. The program will fully pay for tuition, books, fees, and taxes, providing a truly debt-free education for select four- and two-year programs. Fidelity, which hired over 16,000 people in 2021 and is on track to exceed that figure this year, has increased its customer service organization by 127% over the…
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24 October
Student goes from paralyzed to Polk State OTA & Orlando Health
Chase Roberts was told he would never walk again. Now, he’s not only on his own two feet — he is also helping others recover from traumatic injuries. Roberts, a student in Polk State College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, is completing his final clinical rotation at Orlando Health (Orlando) Regional Medical Center Institute for Advanced Rehabilitation, the place where he recovered from his paralysis. The Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School 2009 graduate broke his neck in…
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21 October
You’re invited to learn about the LEGOLAND® Florida Resort/Polk State College Building Higher Pre-Paid Scholarship
Polk State College and LEGOLAND® Florida Resort are hosting an open house on November 1, 2022, on the Polk State Lakeland Campus for the community to learn about the Building Higher Pre-Paid Scholarship Program, which provides LEGOLAND® Florida Resort employees with pre-paid scholarships to Polk State College. Individuals will be able to submit applications to both LEGOLAND® Florida Resort and Polk State College on-site and learn how to qualify for scholarship opportunities. Media and the…
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18 October
University of Florida Economists estimate up to $1.56 billion hit to Florida agriculture due to Hurricane Ian
The combination of seasonal crops, livestock, nursery and aquaculture products potentially lost as a result of category 4 Hurricane Ian will likely be valued between $787 million and $1.56 billion, University of Florida economists predict. The estimate was released as part of a new document, “Preliminary Assessment of Agricultural Losses Resulting from Hurricane Ian,” from the UF/IFAS Economic Impact Analysis Program. “Even though the coast – an area with comparatively less agricultural production than inland areas…
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17 October
Registration starts October 24 for Spring 2023 Semester at Polk State College
Enrollment for the Spring 2023 Semester at Polk State College will start on October 24 with priority registration for students who have completed at least 50% of their program requirements. Open enrollment for students including those who are dual enrolled will start on November 7. Spring semester classes will begin on January 9. Currently enrolled students can check the completion status of their program requirements to determine if they are eligible for priority registration on…
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14 October
UF’s Go Greater campaign tops $4.5 billion for teaching, discovery, outreach and economic development
Schoolchildren, medical patients, farmers, seniors, entrepreneurs, parents, consumers and first-generation college students are just some of the people whose lives and livelihoods will be enhanced because of the University of Florida’s eight-year Go Greater campaign, which was celebrated this weekend with two months remaining before its official conclusion. More than 620,000 Gators made contributions totaling over $4.5 billion during the campaign, significantly more than the original $3 billion goal. Go Greater’s grand total is the…
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12 October
Lake City Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Graduates 2022 Leadership Lake City Class
The Lake City – Columbia County Chamber of Commerce graduates 20 from its Leadership Lake City program. “Leadership Lake City is one of the many top tier programs that the Chamber offers. Not only does it cultivate the next generation of community leaders, it pulls back the curtain on how our community works as a whole,” stated Joey O’Hern, the Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Director. “As you look back through the years of those who…
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12 October
Wertheim Foundation provides lead gift of $100 million to UF Scripps
The University of Florida today announced that the Dr. Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Family Foundation has provided $100 million — the largest gift from an individual donor in university history — to elevate the stature of UF Scripps as one of the world’s leading forces in biomedical research and to advance the leading-edge work of faculty at the campus in Jupiter, Florida. This transformational lead investment will launch a 10-year, $1 billion public-private partnership —…
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11 October
IRSC Enrollment on the Rise, Bucking State and National Trends
According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, total college enrollment for spring 2022 fell (-4.1%)—marking the fifth-consecutive national enrollment decline. Community colleges were hit the hardest, but college-going among students at four-year institutions also declined. Indian River State College (IRSC) is bucking this national trend. This fall, enrollment is up +8.9%, and with more students choosing in-person and hybrid options, all of IRSC’s campuses—Fort Pierce, Okeechobee, Port St. Lucie, Stuart and Vero Beach—are bustling…
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10 October
Resources Available to Small Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Ian
The Florida SBDC Network encourages small businesses impacted by Hurricane Ian to seek available disaster assistance. “We are saddened to see and hear the stories of damage and loss that individuals and small businesses have suffered due to Hurricane Ian,” said Greg Britton, state director of the Florida SBDC Network. “We want our small business owners to know how important they are to our state and that we stand ready to assist them get back…
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7 October
Walmart Is Supporting Hurricane Ian Relief
Walmart believes in supporting the communities we call home and are incredibly grateful to our associates on the ground serving those impacted by Hurricane Ian. Together, Walmart, Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation have committed up to $6 million to support recovery and relief efforts. This support will help provide essential supplies and grants to organizations providing relief. For updates on Walmart’s support for Hurricane Ian relief visit our website: Supporting Hurricane Ian Relief (walmart.com)
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