News

Small Business Council Spotlight – Ray Blacklidge of American Traditions Insurance Company

Have a Conversation with Ray Blacklidge, Shareholder, Executive VP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, of American Traditions Insurance Company What does your business do? Since 2006 American Traditions Insurance company has provided insurance coverage for homeowners, condo owners, renters, and manufactured homes in the state of Florida. We strive to offer best-in-class customer service and claims processing while providing Florida residents property insurance coverage. What’s your biggest concern as a small business owner/operator? In the…

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Ret. Lieutenant Colonel David Gillespie named Florida Chamber Foundation as Executive Vice President

The Florida Chamber Foundation continues its planned growth, and after a national search, today announced Ret. Lieutenant Colonel David Gillespie has joined the team as Executive Vice President. In this role, David will lead the Florida Chamber Foundation to secure Florida’s future through the management and execution of the 39 goals of the Florida 2030 Blueprint, including coordinating key stakeholders to ensure Florida’s goal of becoming a top 10 global economy. “Florida is at a…

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Aaron Kinnon Promoted to Vice President of Investor Relations and Engagement for the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Florida Chamber Foundation

The Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Chamber Foundation continue to grow and today announced the promotion of Aaron Kinnon to Vice President of Investor Relations for the Florida Chamber and Florida Chamber Foundation. In his new role, Aaron will lead Florida Chamber investor services, engagement and growth and will expand the Florida Chamber Foundation team to ensure it continues providing premium engagement opportunities for members as we work to lead Florida to a…

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Florida Chamber Foundation’s New Orlando Metro Skills Report Identifies and Evaluates Workforce Skills Gaps in the Orlando Metro Market, where 448,201 Net New Jobs Need to be Created by 2030

As Florida’s economy continues to grow and diversify, talent is key. Florida currently has more jobs looking for people than people looking for jobs. Solving our future talent needs now is the right path. In Florida, we have 545,200 open jobs looking for people and only 530,000 Floridians actively looking for jobs. Future economic development and diversification depends on matching the right skills with the right job opportunities. Targeting workforce development to regional skills gaps…

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Florida Chamber Foundation’s New Miami Metro Skills Report Identifies and Evaluates Workforce Skills Gaps in the Miami Metro Market, where 433,313 Net New Jobs Need to be Created by 2030

As Florida’s economy continues to grow and diversify, talent is key. Florida currently has more jobs looking for people than people looking for jobs. Solving our future talent needs now is the right path. In Florida, we have 545,200 open jobs looking for people and only 523,000 Floridians actively looking for jobs. Future economic development and diversification depends on matching the right skills with the right job opportunities. Targeting workforce development to regional skills gaps…

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Florida Chamber Foundation’s New Fort Myers Metro Skills Report Identifies and Evaluates Workforce Skills Gaps in the Fort Myers Metro Market, where 103,446 Net New Jobs Need to be Created by 2030

As Florida’s economy continues to grow and diversify, talent is key. Florida currently has more jobs looking for people than people looking for jobs. Solving our future talent needs now is the right path. In Florida, we have 528,300 open jobs looking for people and only 523,000 Floridians actively looking for jobs. Future economic development and diversification depends on matching the right skills with the right job opportunities. Targeting workforce development to regional skills gaps…

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New Florida Chamber Statewide Poll Shows Strong Confidence in Local Business and Governor Ron DeSantis Strongly Positioned for 2022

The latest Florida Chamber statewide poll shows likely Florida voters overwhelmingly support Governor Ron DeSantis with a strong job approval rating of 54%, receiving 87% support from Republicans and 52% from NPA’s. “COVID-19, job creation, and the economy are the leading issues Florida voters care about,” said Florida Chamber President and CEO Mark Wilson. “Thanks to the leadership and swift action taken by Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, COVID-19 liability protections were signed into…

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Florida Chamber Foundation’s New Tampa Metro Skills Report Identifies and Evaluates Workforce Skills Gaps in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metro Market, where 314,401 Net New Jobs Need to be Created by 2030

As Florida’s economy continues to grow and diversify, talent is key. Florida currently has more jobs looking for people than people looking for jobs. Solving our future talent needs now is the right path. In Florida, we have 528,300 open jobs looking for people and only 523,000 Floridians actively looking for jobs. Future economic development and diversification depends on matching the right skills with the right job opportunities. Targeting workforce development to regional skills gaps…

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Florida Chamber Foundation’s New Sarasota Metro Skills Report Identifies and Evaluates Workforce Skills Gaps in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton Metro Market, where 65,328 Net New Jobs Need to be Created by 2030

As Florida’s economy continues to grow and diversify, talent is key. Florida currently has more jobs looking for people than people looking for jobs. Solving our future talent needs now is the right path. In Florida, we have 528,300 open jobs looking for people and only 523,000 Floridians actively looking for jobs. Future economic development and diversification depends on matching the right skills with the right job opportunities. Targeting workforce development to regional skills gaps…

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Florida Chamber Foundation’s New Pensacola Metro Skills Report Identifies and Evaluates Workforce Skills Gaps in the Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent MSA, where 40,223 Net New Jobs Need to be Created by 2030

As Florida’s economy continues to grow and diversify, talent is key. Florida currently has more jobs looking for people than people looking for jobs. Solving our future talent needs now is the right path. In Florida, we have 528,300 open jobs looking for people and only 523,000 Floridians actively looking for jobs. Future economic development and diversification depends on matching the right skills with the right job opportunities. Targeting workforce development to regional skills gaps…

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Florida Chamber Foundation’s New Lakeland Metro Skills Report Identifies and Evaluates Workforce Skills Gaps in the Lakeland-Winter Haven MSA, where 86,771 Net New Jobs Need to be Created by 2030

As Florida’s economy continues to grow and diversify, talent is key. Florida currently has more jobs looking for people than people looking for jobs. Solving our future talent needs now is the right path. In Florida, we have 528,300 open jobs looking for people and only 523,000 Floridians actively looking for jobs. Future economic development and diversification depends on matching the right skills with the right job opportunities. Targeting workforce development to regional skills gaps…

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Small Business Council Spotlight – Clearwater Gas System

Have a Conversation with Chuck Warrington, Executive Director of Clearwater Gas System What does your business do? We are a municipally-owned (City of Clearwater) Natural & Propane Local Distribution Company that serves nearly 30,000 customers in 20 cities & the unincorporated areas of Northern & Central Pinellas County, Western & Central Pasco County & Northwestern Hillsborough County.  We are a full-service provider, offering “one-stop” commercial & residential installation, appliance sales, and service & repair services…

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Florida Chamber Foundation Launches Statewide Florida Trade and Logistics Study 2030

TALLAHASSEE, FL (July 21, 2021)— It is time to set the course for Florida’s continued leadership in trade, logistics, and export-oriented manufacturing activities through 2030. Over the past decade, the Florida Chamber Foundation published two research reports highlighting the importance of trade and logistics to Florida’s future—Florida Trade and Logistics Study (TL 1.0) and Made for Trade: Florida Trade and Logistics Study 2.0 (TL 2.0)— which both produced recommendations that have been implemented and significantly…

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Florida Chamber Foundation’s New Daytona Beach Metro Skills Report Identifies and Evaluates Workforce Skills Gaps in the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach Metro Market, where 32,221 Net New Jobs Need to be Created by 2030

TALLAHASSEE, FL (July 21, 2021)— As Florida’s economy continues to grow and diversify, talent is key. Florida currently has more jobs looking for people than people looking for jobs. Solving our future talent needs now is the right path. In Florida, we have 528,300 open jobs looking for people and only 523,000 Floridians actively looking for jobs. Future economic development and diversification depends on matching the right skills with the right job opportunities. Targeting workforce…

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Florida’s economy grows to 15th largest in the world, up from 17th

New data shows that today Florida, if it were an independent country, would be the 15th largest economy in the world. Florida overtook Indonesia and Mexico’s economies during the past year. COVID changed the world and the global economy, and the new numbers for 2020 are out, showing Florida’s growth compared to the rest of the world. While it may be temporary as other world economies are continuing to rebound from the global pandemic, Florida…

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