February 26, 2016 
Legislative Reception 
Advocacy

Chamber members and future members are invited to an interactive opportunity to discuss business victories and ongoing priorities with the Pinellas County Legislative Delegation. Senator Jeff Brandes, Representative Kathleen Peters, Representative Dwight Dudley and Representative Darryl Rouson are featured guests.
 



Bicycle Friendly Business Initiative
Transportation Task Force

The City of St. Petersburg presented a bicycle friendly business initiative that is a collaborative effort under the Healthy St. Pete initiative. The City staff's presentation educated Task Force members on the use of bicycles as a transportation option for tourist and for the potential to attract and retain a talented workforce in St. Pete.   
 
Chamber Explores 'Cheese Grater' Building  
Public Policy Council

The Chamber has been asked to take a position on whether the 400 Block of Central Avenue should get a fresh start, or if we want the current situation to remain. Members will have the opportunity to discuss the Chamber's position at the Public Policy Council meeting on Tuesday, March 1st at 7:30AM.  
 
 
In the News 
Picture by CityofStPete
Transient Boat Slips on the way to St. Pete's waterfront
Tampa Bay Times

Daytripping boaters looking for a place to dine, drink or stroll on the shores of Tampa Bay will soon have a welcome mat to St. Petersburg's waterfront--- or at least a floating dock with slips---unfurled for their convenience.

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Picture by CityofStPete
St. Petersburg launches "Baseball Forever" website
SaintPetersBlog 
 
St. Petersburg in coordination with the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce launched its "baseball forever" website this week. The website contains little information into the details of the collaboration, but is a swank first step in creating a robust coalition of stakeholders to make the case for baseball in St. Pete. 
 
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Picture by Tampa Bay Times
Tampa Bay weather no worry for gondolas, experts say
Tampa Bay Times

Gondolas have suddenly become a thing in Pinellas County, as officials in both Clearwater and St. Petersburg are mulling the sky crawlers as an alternative to cars and buses.

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Picture by The Tampa Tribune
Residents around Gandy fought good fight, but it looks like it's over
The Tampa Tribune
 
They learned to accept the rumble overhead of jets from MacDill Air Force Base and Tampa International Airport as part of the cost of living so close to Tampa Bay. They dodged barrels during a long construction project on Gandy Blvd., only to wait now through a series of traffic lights that seems designed to stop the flow of cars instead of moving things along. 
 
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Upcoming Meetings
Public Policy Meeting

Tuesday, March 1st 
7:30AM - 9:00AM
Chamber Boardroom 
 
Chair:  Ryan Griffin Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel, Burns, LLP 
 

Sustainability Task Force Meeting

Thursday, March 17th 
8:00AM - 9:00AM
Chamber Boardroom

Chair:  Daryle Hamel, Maher Chevrolet
Co-Chair: Steve Smith, Custom Hospitality 

  
Transportation Task Force Meeting
Gondola System

Tuesday, March 22nd
1:00PM - 2:00PM
Chamber Boardroom

Guest Speaker: Darryl LeClair,  Echelon, LLC

Chair: Jim Dickson,  Adams and Reese 
Co-Chair: Ben Diamond,  Williamson, Diamond & Caton
 


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