News
-
Sep- 2023 -2 September
Insuring a Strong Future: Property Insurance Reforms Aim to Stabilize and Add Competition to Florida’s Market
With this week’s landfall of Category 3 Hurricane Idalia in the Big Bend area, we are reminded that we are at the peak of Florida’s annual hurricane season. Part of being a Floridian is knowing we must personally prepare for the worst and hope for the best, mitigate potential damage by hardening our homes and businesses, and have a plan for the worst-case scenario. As those directly affected by the storm recover and rebuild, thankfully,…
Read More » -
Aug- 2023 -29 August
Small Business Council Member Spotlight: Align Business Advisory Services
We sat down with Dena Jalbert, Founder/CEO, Align Business Advisory Services, to ask a few important questions: What is Align? Align Business Advisory Services is a leading mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) advisory firm serving small and mid-sized businesses. Headquartered in Winter Park, FL, AlignBA completed more than $2B in transaction volume in the past six years with more than $1B in the past twelve months. Align was named the Best Mid-Market M&A Consultancy in 2022…
Read More » -
28 August
Before The Storm: Hurricane Resources & Ways to Prepare Florida’s Communities
Tropical Storm Idalia is rapidly gaining strength and is expected to escalate into a dangerous Category 3 hurricane as it approaches the Florida coast. With projected landfall near the Big Bend of Florida on Wednesday morning, this storm poses a significant threat with its mix of heavy rains, high winds, and potential storm surge. We encourage you to take immediate action to safeguard yourself, your property, and your loved ones. To assist you in these…
Read More » -
24 August
New Florida Chamber Statewide Poll Shows Florida Voters Say Florida’s Economy is Better Off than Other States
The latest Florida Chamber statewide poll finds more than half (53%) of Florida voters believe the Florida economy is better off than other states while only 24% believe it is worse off than other states. Florida has created 44,500 jobs in the last month and 300,600 jobs in the past year. The Sunshine State’s rolling annual growth rate of 3.2% is a full percentage point higher than the national level and July’s 0.5% increase in…
Read More » -
9 August
Coke Florida Launches $2.8M Scholarship Program for Students in Underserved Communities Across Florida
Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC (Coke Florida) announced a ten-year commitment to award graduating high school seniors with scholarships to attend a Florida public four-year university, two-year college, or technical/vocational school. The newly established Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship℠ , a $2.8M partnership with Florida Prepaid College Foundation, will cover tuition and most fees for 250 economically disadvantaged students over the next ten years. This donation is part of the Path to Prosperity Scholarship Program, a partnership our Florida Chamber…
Read More » -
Jul- 2023 -31 July
Florida Experiences Fastest Growth Nationally in Real GDP Among Other Large Economy States
By: Dave Sobush, CEcD, Director of Research, Florida Chamber Foundation Florida continues to make progress not only toward becoming a top 10 global economy but also the largest economy in the nation. As part of the efforts to track the progress on achieving our Florida 2030 Blueprint mission, the Florida Chamber Foundation’s research team has reviewed new information from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and is pleased to provide this deeper dive into Florida’s economic…
Read More » -
20 July
Autonomous Florida Member Spotlight: Blink
Brendan Jones is President and CEO at Blink Charging, a global leading vertically integrated manufacturer, owner, operator and provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment and services. Blink manufactures NACS and CCS solutions for both Level 2 and Level 3 (DC Fast Charging) solutions. Learn more at blinkcharging.com What is one thing Floridians may not know about your industry? Many are not aware of the importance of Level 2 (L2) chargers and how they…
Read More » -
7 July
Florida Chamber Foundation Unveils 2023 Florida Business & Economic Mid-Year Report
Today, the Florida Chamber Foundation released its 2023 Florida Business & Economic Mid-Year Report, a mid-year analysis of the local and national economic trends impacting the way Florida does business. This first edition will be followed by annual editions to keep Florida businesses in the know about Florida’s economic headwinds and tailwinds, serving as a level set to propel them through the remainder of each year and towards 2030. The 2023 mid-year report covers where Florida stands…
Read More » -
Jun- 2023 -29 June
Half of Florida’s Third Graders Are Reading at Grade Level – The Path to Prosperity at Risk for Nearly 111,000 Third Graders
The Florida Chamber Foundation created the Florida 2030 Blueprint with one goal in mind– outline a path for Florida leaders to help lead the effort in Florida becoming the 10th largest economy in the world by 2030. As part of that effort, it is vital we ensure Florida has a talent development pipeline that produces the workforce necessary to drive those economic outcomes, and no milestone on that educational journey is more important than third-grade…
Read More » -
29 June
State Budget & Tax Package Move Florida Forward
By: Carolyn Johnson, Vice President of Government Affairs, Florida Chamber of Commerce July 1 marks the beginning of Florida’s fiscal year, and the recently signed $116.5 billion budget includes a number of investments that will continue Florida’s momentum toward becoming a top-10 global economy by 2030. Boosted by revenues resulting from Florida’s rapidly growing economy, the FY 2023-2024 budget funds the 5-year Transportation Work Program at a record $13.6 billion and includes an additional $4…
Read More » -
12 June
Healthcare Partnership Spotlight: Lee Health
Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA, President & CEO, serves as the Chief Executive Officer and President for Lee Health. Dr. Antonucci was a practicing obstetrician and gynecologist who joined the Lee Health Medical Staff in 1983. He joined Lee Health in 2007 as Chief Administrative Officer for the health system’s Cape Coral Hospital. He was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Hospital Services in 2009 and assumed responsibility for Physician Services in 2010. In October 2011, he…
Read More » -
12 June
Representative Tommy Gregory Named Florida Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Most Valuable Legislator
The Florida Chamber of Commerce has named Representative Tommy Gregory as its 2023 Most Valuable Legislator for his leadership in rebalancing Florida’s civil justice system and strengthening Florida’s competitiveness through historic lawsuit abuse reform. “The Florida Chamber could not have asked for a better partner or more tenacious champion for Floridians to work shoulder-to-shoulder with Florida’s united business community to accomplish the strongest lawsuit abuse reform package in Florida’s history,” said Florida Chamber President &…
Read More » -
12 June
Florida Chamber of Commerce Unveils 2023 How They Voted, Naming Representative Tommy Gregory as Most Valuable Legislator
Today, the Florida Chamber of Commerce unveiled its 2023 How They Voted. A comprehensive review of what passed this legislative session, what didn’t, and what remains unfinished business, How They Voted reveals the Florida Chamber’s 2023 Legislative Report Card, showcasing grades earned by all 159 legislators in the Florida House and Senate based on their votes during the 2023 Legislative Session, and recognizes the Florida Chamber’s Most Valuable Legislator and Distinguished Advocates. “Florida welcomes $4.48M…
Read More » -
May- 2023 -31 May
Recently Released Kindergarten Readiness Numbers Show the Importance of Prioritizing Early Learning
By: Dave Sobush, CEcD, Director of Research, Florida Chamber Foundation Across the Sunshine State, end-of-school-year celebrations have largely concluded. For many families, their child’s K-12 experience reached a joyful end with commencement ceremonies. It’s an opportunity for families to not only to embrace the opportunities awaiting their graduate – whether that be post-secondary education, military service, or direct entry to the workforce – but also to reflect on and recall the very beginning of that…
Read More » -
30 May
Small Business Council Spotlight: Florida Nurses Association
Willa Fuller, Executive Director Business Name: Florida Nurses Association What does your business do? We are an advocacy group for nurses and the patients they serve. What is your biggest concern as a small business owner? Membership, which is impacted by people’s perception of how we are doing financially as a community. Right now, our membership is growing. Tell us why you joined the Small Business Council and what you would say to other business leaders…
Read More »