News

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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Florida Chamber Foundation’s New Jacksonville Metro Skills Report Identifies and Evaluates Workforce Skills Gaps in the Jacksonville Metro Market

TALLAHASSEE, FL (July 14, 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 503,000 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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Baskerville-Donovan’s Fred Donovan, Jr. Appointed as Regional Chair of Pensacola/Destin Region of the Florida Chamber of Commerce

(TALLAHASSEE, Fla.) July 8, 2021 — Fred Donovan, Jr., Executive Vice President of Baskerville-Donovan, Inc. has been appointed Regional Advancement Chair for the Pensacola/Destin region of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. The region, made up of Florida Chamber member businesses from Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, needs to create 50,392 net new jobs by 2030 to prepare the region for future growth and opportunity. “Fred is a recognized leader and job creator in Northeast…

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Nautique Boat Company’s Greg Meloon Named to Florida Chamber Safety Council Advisory Board

TALLAHASSEE, FL (July 7, 2021)— Nautique Boat Company President Greg Meloon is the newest Florida Chamber Safety Council Advisory Board member. “The Florida Chamber Safety Council Advisory Board guides the vision and strategy behind creating national standards for workplace safety, implementing first-in-the-nation programs to prevent injuries, reduce operational costs, and improve production, performance and corporate culture,” said Florida Chamber Safety Council President Katie Yeutter. “Greg’s leadership, and his track record of safety in manufacturing, adds…

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Florida Institute for Political Leadership Launches First of its Kind Statewide Database of Upcoming Elections

TALLAHASSEE, FL – July 7, 2021 – The Florida Institute for Political Leadership (FIPL) has created a first of its kind comprehensive database of local elections across Florida to help Floridians take the next step in their political career. FIPL offers free access to this database using a new search feature under the “Elections” tab on its fipl.org website (www.fipl.org/elections). The tool, a first ever in Florida and offered exclusively by FIPL, allows users to…

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New Florida Chamber Foundation Research Project Unveils First-of-its-Kind Workforce Needs Study and Skills Gap Analysis

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (June 29, 2021)— As the Florida Chamber Foundation works to achieve the goals outlined in its Florida 2030 Blueprint and grow from the 17th to the 10th largest economy in the world by 2030, Florida’s workforce needs to continue evolving to meet the needs of the future of Florida and its job creators. To help Florida job creators, educators, lawmakers, job seekers, students and residents forge a path forward to creating the workforce…

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Small Business Council Spotlight – Dr. Jonathan Reed, Strategy First Consulting Group

What does your business do? We help small to medium-size businesses develop strategy, management processes, and talent like a Fortune 500 company. What’s your biggest concern as a small business owner/operator?  I am concerned about the polarized political climate in the U.S. and the volatility it has created for my small business clients. It seems like new rules, regulations, executive orders, and lawsuits are being filed almost daily, now at the state level in addition…

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Nic Carter Joins Florida Chamber of Commerce to Head Up Insurance Services Division for Chamber Members

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (June 23, 2021)— In keeping with its board driven, six-year strategic plan, the Florida Chamber of Commerce today announced the launch of a new Insurance Division that will be offering a suite of insurance options for its members under the group benefits and property & casualty umbrellas. The Chamber’s new division will be providing solutions for Chamber members in areas from life and health to workers compensation insurance and other areas of insurance…

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Senate President Wilton Simpson Awarded Florida Chamber of Commerce 2021 Most Valuable Legislator

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (June 23, 2021)— The Florida Chamber of Commerce has awarded Senate President Wilton Simpson with the 2021 Most Valuable Legislator (MVL) award. Leadership has consequences and with President Simpson’s unwavering leadership, the Florida Chamber of Commerce had 22 legislative priorities make it to Governor DeSantis’ desk this Session. Some key examples why President Simpson has been awarded the Florida Chamber’s MVL include his leadership in the passage of COVID-19 liability protections for Florida…

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Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Hosting Online Campaign School & Community Leadership Training June 22 – 24

SARASOTA, FL – The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Florida Institute for Political Leadership (FIPL), an initiative by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, is hosting a virtual Campaign School & Community Leadership Training June 22 – 24, from 5:30pm – 8:00pm. This no-cost and nonpartisan 3-day program is open to everyone and recommended for elected officials, current or future candidates, campaign workers, and anyone interested in serving in an appointed position. As…

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City Furniture’s George Zamora Joins Florida Chamber Safety Council Advisory Board

TALLAHASSEE, FL (June 21, 2021)— The Florida Chamber Safety Council today announced City Furniture’s Director of Safety George Zamora has officially joined its statewide Advisory Board. “Creating a culture of safety is so much more than simply having safety protocols in place,” said Florida Chamber Safety Council President Katie Yeutter. “The Florida Chamber Safety Council’s Advisory Board plays a leadership role in moving the needle towards making Florida the safest, healthiest and most sustainable state…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Releases 2021 Legislative Report Card

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (June 18, 2021)— The Florida Chamber of Commerce today released its official 2021 Florida Chamber Legislative Report Card, showcasing grades earned by all 160 legislators in the Florida House and Senate based on their votes during the 2021 Legislative Session. “Florida’s economy won with the Florida Chamber-backed, pro-jobs policy passed during the 2021 Legislative Session,” said Florida Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Mark Wilson. “The actions taken by Governor DeSantis and Florida’s…

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