Member News
Florida Chamber of Commerce member press releases/updates.
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Mar- 2022 -25 March
SeaWorld Orlando is Doubling Efforts to Care for Manatees in Critical Condition
In response to the ongoing Unusual Mortality Event (UME) impacting manatees, SeaWorld Orlando is expanding its rescue facilities which will effectively double the size of our critical care space, creating the largest capacity in the state of Florida and in the U.S. Once finished, our team will be able to help more than 60 manatees in need of emergency veterinary care. The news was announced at a press conference hosted by SeaWorld in Orlando on…
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23 March
Small Business Spotlight: Barbara Wilson with Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad, LLC (FGA)
Have a Conversation with Barbara Wilson, President & CEO with Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad, LLC (FGA) What does your business do? FGA is a freight railroad based in Tallahassee with over 400 miles of track running between Baldwin in the east and Pensacola in the west. Our railroad parallels Interstate 10 and is critically important to serving industries that need to transport bulk materials. FGA moves about 30,000 railcars of freight each year, effectively…
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21 March
Osceola Commission Gifts 2022 Seniors with More than $12 million
Osceola County, Florida – Gathered in gymnasiums and auditoriums across Osceola County’s public high schools Monday – the first day after Spring Break — students, teachers and administrators had no idea why. It was a life-changing announcement. Osceola County Commissioners’ launch of a more than $12.4 million transformational program known as Osceola Prosper will allow every 2022 graduating senior a free college or technical education through Valencia College and Osceola Technical College (oTECH). CareerSource Central…
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18 March
NASA SLS Moon Rocket Rolls Out to the Launch Pad
For the first time in 50 years, a rocket capable of going to the moon is on a launchpad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Space Launch System (SLS), NASA’s most powerful rocket, rolled out of the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39B for the first time on March 17. The teams will soon conduct a countdown test called the wet dress rehearsal, where they will fuel the rocket and simulate a launch…
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14 March
UF announces Artificial Intelligence Academic Initiative Center
In its latest step to promote artificial intelligence (AI) and data science and integrate AI across the curriculum, the University of Florida announced today it will create an Artificial Intelligence Academic Initiative Center. The new center, led by Associate Provost for Strategic Initiatives David Reed, will be the campus focal point for academic activity at the university related to AI and data science, including the coordination and development of programs and certificates; the identification of…
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10 March
10 Endangered Turtles Make Triumphant Return to Warmer Waters
Day in and day out, SeaWorld Orlando continues to provide exceptional levels of care to all animals under our supervision – whether it’s manatees, sea turtles or even penguins! We always strive to return rescued animals to their natural habitat and last week our Rescue Team successfully returned ten critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles to the ocean. The sea turtles were found stranded and cold-stunned off the Cape Cod coast. Working with a network…
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4 March
Boeing Commits US$2 Million to Support Humanitarian Response in Ukraine
Boeing [NYSE: B.A.] today announced a US$2 million emergency assistance package to support humanitarian response efforts in Ukraine. The assistance package will be directed to organizations working to bring food, water, clothing, medicine and shelter to displaced Ukrainians – including those seeking refuge in neighboring countries. In addition, Boeing will match all qualifying employee contributions made in support of Ukrainian humanitarian relief through the company’s charitable matching program. “The conflict unfolding in Ukraine is leading to a significant humanitarian emergency,…
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4 March
Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Announces Move
LAKE CITY, FL, March 4, 2022 – The Lake City – Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce it has purchased a new location and will be relocating their office to 875 SW SR 47 Summer of 2022 once renovations are completed. “Our new location is not only an investment into the future of the organization, but an investment into our members. The new facility gives us the opportunity to expand services, increase…
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3 March
IRSC Launches Promise Program
In response to a pandemic that has disrupted lives and derailed plans for so many in our community, Indian River State College today revealed its most significant investment ever in eliminating barriers to higher education. At a special assembly for 12th-grade students at Fort Pierce Central High School, the College launched the IRSC Promise Program—announcing tuition-free Associate degrees for qualifying 2022 high school graduates from public and public charter schools in Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee…
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Feb- 2022 -25 February
Wells Fargo Donates $20 Million to Strengthen Small Businesses in Miami-Dade County
MIAMI– February 25, 2022 – Wells Fargo announced today a $20 million grant to The Miami Foundation, the nonprofit’s largest grant received to date, to help historically disadvantaged small business owners own more of their businesses’ assets and improve technology to better serve customers. The Miami Foundation plans to use the funding to support diverse small businesses and nonprofits through a combination of capital and technical assistance. The donation comes from Wells Fargo’s Open for…
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24 February
Small Business Spotlight: Wendy Gattis with DITEK Surge Protection
Have a Conversation with Wendy Gattis, Chief Executive Officer, DITEK Surge Protection What does your business do? For over 30 years, DITEK has designed and manufactured surge protection, UPS solutions, and networking hardware for the commercial and industrial market. Our primary objective is to keep vital business systems functioning and communicating at all times while preventing the escalation of problems caused by a surge, spike, or loss of power. What’s your biggest concern as a…
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18 February
CareerSource Florida, Florida Department of Corrections Celebrate Graduates of Florida HIRES Commercial Driver License Program
Tallahassee, FL – Today, CareerSource Florida highlighted the success of the Florida Helping Inmates Realize Employment Success (HIRES) program, a pre-release career pathway to employment for returning citizens including nearly 30 new commercial truck drivers. “Ensuring Florida businesses are able to move their products through the supply chain is vital to Florida’s economy and a priority for Governor Ron DeSantis,” said Michelle Dennard, CareerSource Florida President and CEO. “The Florida HIRES CDL training program is creating a pipeline…
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12 February
FAIRWINDS Foundation Announces Recipients of 2022 Grants
ORLANDO, FL (February 12, 2022) – FAIRWINDS Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that serves as the philanthropic arm of FAIRWINDS Credit Union, will announce on Thursday, February 17 the recipients of its 2022 grants at a breakfast event held at Full Sail Live which will be attended by Orange County Mayor, Jerry Demings, community leaders and twelve organizations embodying the Foundation’s core purpose of improving lives through financial well-being. “We are proud to support each…
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1 February
Small Business Spotlight: Tiffany Barfield with NAF
Have a Conversation with Tiffany Barfield, Senior Director, Policy & Advocacy with NAF What does your business do? NAF helps solve some of the biggest challenges in education and the workforce by transforming the high school experience to include work-based learning and career-focused education. We are committed to providing access to opportunities for all students. What’s your biggest concern as a small business owner? Bridging gaps in education and career development, as we continue to…
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Jan- 2022 -28 January
Florida Power & Light on Track to Complete its Solar Panel “30 by 30” Goal Five Years Early
Florida Chamber Foundation Community Development Partner Florida Power & Light (FPL), recently announced that they are on track to reach their “30-by-30” goal of installing more than 30 million solar panels – by 2025! This latest milestone highlights the company’s tireless pursuit of building a more resilient and sustainable energy future all FPL customers can depend on – now and in the future. “Importantly, our solar expansion is expected to save customers approximately $2.5 billion…
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