July 11, 2017

Infrastructure Affects You and Costs You Money, So Speak Up at Tomorrow's i3 Public Forum!

Since April, the chamber has held two public forums attended by more than 140 people to explore the infrastructure needs of Alachua County and how to best balance and fund them. 

The Chamber's first two i3 (Putting Children First Infrastructure Investment Initiative) sessions brought more than 140 citizens to the table to discuss and prioritize various infrastructure needs, including K-12 public school and the communications system used by first responders. These topics, in addition to infrastructure for roads, and parks and recreation are among those that have been identified by the i3 Steering Committee after months of research and public engagement as areas to explore.


If you are reading this email, this issue affects you, so come out, get educated about what we have learned, and hear from Deputy Manager for Public Works James Harriott and County Engineer Ramon Gavarrete, who will review our roadway repair needs and the currently available funding sources.


Have we heard from you? If not, consider this: Funding for road resurfacing needs to be increased five-fold for timely maintenance and avoidance of increased costs. The price of delay eventually removes resurfacing as an option and the cost to reconstruct a failed road is three times that of resurfacing. 


Register here to take advantage of the next opportunity to speak up tomorrow.


The meeting will be held at North Florida Regional Medical Center's South Tower Conference Center located at 6500 W Newberry Rd., Gainesville, FL 32605.


If you have questions, please contact Grassroots Engagement Manager Vicki Gervickas at vicki@gainesvillechamber.com. 


Free parking is available in the West, Medical Arts and Women's Center garages, and at the valet for those with a handicap decal. Please register today!
UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS:

TODAY! July 11  Business Before Hours

TOMORROW! July 12 i3 Forum #3 


GRU Customers to see Rate Increase
Beginning in October
GRU electric rates will increase by 2 percent on bills beginning Oct. 1. The rate increase is due to equipment maintenance and technological updates.  City Commissioners are expected to tentatively approve GRU's proposed budget at this week's July 13 meeting.

As of May 2017, GRU's residential electric rates are the highest of all municipally owned utilities in Florida, according to the Florida Municipal Electric Association, and are higher than in 84% of cities represented in the 2016 Annual Cost of Living Index. 


Nominate New Chamber Board Members by July 31


The Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce's Nominating Committee is now accepting recommendations for the Chamber Board of Directors for the term beginning in the 2018 calendar year. Board director terms are a three-year commitment.

All recommendations for persons to serve on the Chamber Board are due to the Chamber no later than Monday, July 31, 2017. The Nominating Committee will then review the candidates and a slate of new directors will be proposed at the August 24, 2017, regular Board meeting. New members will be elected at the Sept. 28, 2017, regular Board meeting. 

Recommendations for Board nominations should be addressed to Kevin Monroe,  Board Chair-Elect at the following email address:

nominations@gainesvillechamber.com; or by direct mail to:

Kevin Monroe, Board Chair-Elect
Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce
300 E. University Ave., Ste. 100
Gainesville, FL 32601

As always, thank you for your support of the Chamber's efforts to facilitate economic opportunity, business success and community progress. 

July 24 Distinguished Speaker Luncheon to Feature City Commissioner David Arreola

Please join us on Monday, July 24th, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Parrish Board Room, 300 E. University Avenue, Suite 100, Gainesville, FL, 32601. Our Distinguished Speaker, Gainesville City Commissioner David Arreola, will provide a Commission update, and a Q&A will follow his remarks.

The cost for this member-exclusive event is $25.00, with lunch included.

Register today! 


Public City and County Meetings This Week
CITY MEETINGS 

  • Commission meeting THURSDAY: Commissioners to Vote on GRU's Proposed Budget and more. Details here...
COUNTY MEETINGS 

  • Commission meeting TODAY: Startup Quest proclamation, Surplus Property Auction and more. Details here... 
Join us TODAY for Business Before Hours




Join us for Business Before Hours TODAY from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at  Sam’s Club .   Admission is free with your Chamber membership.
 
Business Before Hours is a structured yet relaxed environment for making effective connections within the Chamber business community.
 
You may find a strong referral source, a new vendor, the perfect client or simply get a foot in the door for connecting at larger events. Come build lasting business and personal relationships at Business Before Hours. We hope to see you there!”

Click Here  for more information.



Join Us As We Celebrate Two Ribbon Cutting Events This Week


On Thursday at 5:30 p.m., join us to celebrate the grand opening of UBS Financial Services with a Ribbon Cutting Celebration!  UBS Financial Services Inc., part of the world's largest wealth management firm, is excited to open its new office in Gainesville   Stop by to meet the team of highly experienced professionals who are bringing the strength and resources of the global firm to our local market.    This event will include drinks, hor d'oeuvres, and tours.  Learn more…

TGI Friday’s officially opens their newly built TGI Fridays in Butler Plaza North with a Ribbon Cutting celebration at 4 p.m. As the original casual dining bar and grill, TGI FridaysSM offers authentic American food and legendary drinks, served with genuine personal service. Bringing people together to socialize and celebrate the freeing and liberating spirit of "Friday" was the concept's founding premise, from which the brand promise "In Here, It's Always Friday" was born.
Immediately following the ribbon-cutting event, join us on the new private party patio for a sampling of their Endless Appetizers.  Learn more…


UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS:
July 13  Gainesville Black Professionals Networking Mixer

July 14  Creative B Movie Series : The Time Machine

July 15 Let's Do Brunch
Boost Your Exposure - Opportunities for Chamber Sponsorship Available

The Gainesville Chamber’s sponsorship and partnership packages offer you the opportunity to align your business with the ‘voice of business’ in the Gainesville region. As a 5-star accredited chamber of commerce, this strategic partnership will allow you to raise your visibility and heighten your exposure to a key target audience, business owners, professionals, and community leaders.

There are two great ways to become a sponsor:

  1. Become an Annual Sponsor - Join our Circle of Champions and have your company recognized as one of our premier partners
  2. Sponsor a specific program or event that aligns with your organizations goals and objectives


Representing your business to Chamber membership is significantly valuable to establishing your business as a leader in your industry.  Click here to learn more about our sponsorship and partnership opportunities.


Did you know that the Chamber can customize sponsorships to fit your business needs? Contact us today to see how sponsoring can benefit your business. Contact Steve Cannon at stevec@gainesvillechamber.com.
Florida Ranked 6th Best Place to Start a Business by Wallethub

Florida was recently ranked the 6th Best Place to Start a Business by Wallethub. In order to determine the best and worst states to start a business, WalletHub’s analysts compared the 50 states across three key dimensions: 1) Business Environment, 2) Access to Resources and 3) Business Costs.


Wallethub evaluated those dimensions using 20 relevant metrics, with each metric graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for new-business creation. Read more here...


Participate in GAIN Start-up Survey 

The Gainesville Area Innovation Network (GAIN) is collecting data about the startup community to be able to attract investors to the area and better understand the state of each startup in town.The data will be used to make insights between a number of factors including the make up of Gainesville Startups as a whole, their pain points, revenue, profitability, funding needs, and use of mentors. Overall, measuring these factors will be used to show different correlations and give us valuable insights into what best helps startups succeed. All individual responses will remain private. Responses will be shared in aggregate only.

By better understanding the state of the startup community, we can move forward together. Take the survey here.

Santa Fe College Shores Up Plumbing Technology Talent

The Accelerated Plumbing Certificate Technology Program at Santa Fe College is making advances in growing a ready talent pool for North Central Florida's plumbing industry.

The Gainesville Sun reports that North Central Florida needs hundreds of plumbers, who can expect to earn up to $22.65 per hour depending on skill level. More here...

Avery to Serve as Interim Executive Director as Favre Moves on to Oversee Statewide Construction Workforce Task Force

CareerSource North Central Florida Board Chair Patricia Evans last week announced that Anne Favre is stepping away from her role as the organization's executive director to purse a role directing the statewide Florida Construction Industry Workforce Task Force.The 22-member task force was established in 2016 by the Florida Legislature to address the growing shortage of labor in the construction industry since the most recent rescission. 


"Anne will bring exceptional hands-on experience as a past workforce board director, assisting this group of industry leaders in determining their future efforts, what structure they will pursue, and how best to grow a skilled construction workforce within Florida," Evans said.  


The CSNCFL Board of Directors appointed Frank Avery as Interim Executive Director on June 20. Avery will serve until at least September 2017, when a candidate will be presented to the Board of Directors. Avery has served CSNCFL for two years as its Director of External Affairs. 
Avery will serve as Interim Executive
Director of CSNCFL
Favre will Head Up Construction
Workforce Task Force
Hot Jobs at CareerSource North Central Florida

Each week, CareerSource North Central Florida staff members identify Current Hot Jobs that employers are eager to fill.


If you’d like a vacant position to be included on this list, please call (352) 244-5112. ...See this week's Hot Jobs

2017 Fierce Award Winners Recognized


Business in Greater Gainesville Magazine last night hosted the 2017 Fierce Awards at the University of Florida’s Emerson Alumni Hall.


The event, which was presented by D. E. Scorpio Corporation, recognized and applauded talented, transformative women in our business community by identifying their work in the corporate, nonprofit, governmental and entrepreneurial sectors of our region for their ability to inspire and ignite change in their respective arenas.


The following individuals both made the 2017 Fierce List and represent Chamber companies:


  • Carly Barnes Dodd, Assistant Director for the University of Florida Diabetes Institute

  • Tara Blythe, Associate Vice President for Talent Management and Chief Strategy Officer

    for University of Florida Advancement

  • Dr. Naima Brown, Vice President of Student Affairs, Santa Fe College

  • Joleen Cacciatore Miller, Executive Director, Gainesville Sports Commission

  • Mary Chase, Media Consultant, Cox Media

  • Marcia Conwell, President/CEO, Bread of the Mighty Food Bank

  • Magi Crawford, Communications Director, Gainesville Regional Utilities

  • Sara Emmanuel, Office Manager/Marketing Manager, Scherer Construction

  • Traci Gresham, City Manager, City of Alachua

  • Amy Howard, Owner, Venture Realty

  • Leanna Iacobellis, Business Development Manager, Regis HR Group

  • Kim Jamerson, Vice President of Marketing, SharpSpring

  • Amber McClave, Vice President Operations/General Counsel, Info Tech, Inc.
  • Barzella Papa, President & CEO, Community Foundation of North Central Florida
  • Kathey Porter, Director, University of Florida Small Business and Vendor Diversity
  • Relations
  • Norinda Rosario Yancey, Director of Community Impact, United Way of North Central Florida
  • Tiffany Thomas, Co-owner/Broker Associate, Thomas Group Realty
  • Nicole Yucht, Assistant Vice President of University of Florida Communications
  • Staccie Allen, Regional Strategic Operations Director, Med-Trans Corporation
  • Deidre Dodd, Program Manager, Girls on the Run
  • Kathleen Joseph, Mental Health Counselor and owner of Kathleen Joseph & Associates, LLC
  • Melissa Mamatas, Owner/Founder, Mamatas Counseling Associates
  • Jenn Powell, Office Manager/Bookkeeper for Car Keys, LLC

Front Street Expands to Offer Commercial Insurance


 Front Street Commercial Real Estate Group has formed a new partnership to begin offering commercial insurance services to clients. Joining Front Street as the firm’s Managing Director of Insurance is Greg Banks who will lead Front Street’s initiative to grow its commercial insurance business in markets throughout North Central Florida.

“Offering insurance services to our brokerage and management clients allows us to deepen our relationships by becoming even more of a complete solution provider,” said Nick Banks, Front Street Commercial Real Estate Group Managing Director. Banks added, “On a personal note, I’m excited about having my brother join our company to lead this new initiative.”

Greg joins the Front Street team with 13 years of insurance experience throughout Florida. He founded Banks Insurance Group in 2014 and has built lasting client relationships through his consultative and results driven approach.  Prior to starting the agency, Greg owned Banks Claims Services, an independent insurance adjusting firm, where he investigated claims for several insurance companies throughout Florida.

“Front Street has established a reputation for being the market leader for commercial real estate in North Central Florida and I’m proud to be a part of the amazing culture here,” Greg said. He went on to say, “Front Street’s team approach, commitment to clients, and dedication to the communities we serve are deeply aligned with my values and I look forward to making an impact.”

For more information, please contact Nick Banks at nickb@frontstreet.net or 352.505.3884.

Gainesville Black Professionals Presents Movers & Shakers Networking Mixer


June 13, 2017 at 6 p.m.

The Gainesville Black Professionals is hosting a "Movers & Shakers" Networking Mixer Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Twisted Peacock, located at 3610 SW 13th St., Gainesville, FL 32608. 

The event is hosted by Michael Cox, Executive Director of Black Men United and Sponsored by the Twisted Peaock, Magic 101.3, and the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Florida Gators and Davis Automotive Group Announce New Partnership


In a partnership of unprecedented scale, Davis Automotive Group has joined the Gator Nation as the one and only Official Hometown Automotive Partner of the Florida Gators.


The University of Florida Gators and Davis Automotive Group, including Davis Gainesville Chevrolet/Cadillac, Davis Acura, and Palm Chevrolet Ocala, announced today a multiyear contract that promises significant exposure to local residents and Gator fans for the dealerships.


The deal carries with it several key new spokespeople for the automotive group, including multiple Gator coaches. A new marketing campaign is set to launch on July 1st in print, radio, television, and digital, breaking ground on Davis Automotive’s most ambitious partnership to date.


Rick Davis, owner of Davis Automotive Group, said, “We could not be more proud to be partnering with the Florida Gators. We’re joining a team that does things the right way on and off the court and we believe that we can help take each other to the next level.”


“I’m excited to be a part of this new relationship with Davis Automotive Group,” said Mike White, men’s basketball coach of the Florida Gators. “They have stepped up and shown a true commitment to Gator Athletics and, personally, I’m looking forward to driving their vehicle around the Gainesville community.”


“We are extremely appreciative of Davis Automotive’s support of the Florida Gators,” said Lee Douglas, General Manager of Gator IMG Sports Marketing. “Rick Davis and his team worked hard in creating a comprehensive, fully integrated sponsorship featuring Mike White and Karen McElwain in advertising and promoting two of their brands. The Gator Nation will enjoy all of the creative ways that Davis Automotive will activate this sponsorship with all of the Gator teams.”


Davis Automotive Group, located on North Main St in Gainesville and 2300 SW College Rd in Ocala, hopes to foster strong ties to the local and Gator communities. All aspects of the partnership relating to the Florida Gators will be handled by IMG, the exclusive multimedia rights provider of the Florida Gators. IMG worked extensively with Davis Automotive’s marketing and management teams to put the deal together.


For additional information or questions, please contact:


  • Freddie Wehbe
Wehbe Marketing 352-284-3733 freddie@wehbemarketing.com

  • Brandon Maynard
Davis & Palm Chevrolet, VP of Operations 352-286-1858


  • Rick Davis
Owner, Davis Automotive Group

           352-672-4047

Welcome New Members!


8 Degrees Fahrenheit Ice Cream


Elite Flooring of Alachua


ExcelRight Financial


AXA Advisors


C & W Professional Tree Service


LocalEdge Media



Hearst Media Services 


TGI Friday's 


Menchie's Frozen Yogurt
Thank You Renewing Members for Your Continued Support!

Tomlinson Motor Co.

North Florida Regional Medical Center

Pranges Plantscapes & Florist

Holiday Inn University Center- Gainesville

P & J Marine

Renasant Bank

Endoscopy Replacement Parts, Inc.

City of Waldo

GatorTec

Office Environments

Linda VistaPerry Roofing CoClay Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Island Grove Wine Company

StorterChilds Printing Co.

Venture Realty of Florida, LLC

Custom Home Entertainment, LLC

W. W. Gay Mechanical Contractor

Bertie Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc .

OPIE Software

The Stiles Family Offic e

Best Water Solutions

Pepine Real Estate Team Named Among Top 250 National Real Estate Teams



REAL Trends Inc., in conjunction with The Wall Street Journal, has released its 12th annual “The Thousand” list, naming the top 1,000 real estate professionals and teams, and this year, Pepine ranked in the top 250 teams. This achievement marks Pepine Realty as being in the top one-half of one percent of more than 1.25 million licensed real estate professionals nationwide.


The numbers don’t lie; Pepine Realty has grown to an astonishing level of notoriety at the national level. However, this team is so much more than the statistics alone can show. Betsy and her team rose to this level by upholding the values that Pepine Realty was founded on, and by continuing to demonstrate excellence, integrity, service in the community, accountability, and professionalism, the team will continue to have a significant impact on the families within the community.

Free Open Session at G!T F!T

G!T FIT! Coaching presents a FREE Open Session of Galloway Run/Walk/Run Training and instruction on Saturday, July 15th at 7 AM at the Center for Performing Arts lot (Bledsoe & Hull Roads). If you are struggling to get in shape or you've tried to run and got hurt, this is the solution! Plus you will meet people just like you who want to look and feel better without the risk of injury. For more information contact Elizabeth Hanselman at 352-214-6836 or gainesvillerunwalkrun@gmail.com.
Foresight Construction Group Announces Joey Mandese as Preconstruction Director

Foresight Construction Group, Inc. announced that Joey Mandese has joined the firm as the Preconstruction Services Director for Foresight’s three locations in Gainesville, Tampa and Jacksonville, Fla. He will be based at Foresight headquarters in Gainesville, Fla. 

Joey has over 26 years of experience in design, construction, and development. He was previously the owner of Mandese White Construction, Inc. and MW Bender Architecture, Inc. He has over 15 years’ experience with other national firms as well as firms in the North Florida area.

Joey’s experience encompasses all facets of construction and methods of delivery, including construction management and design-build methods. His design background and field experience create a unique, well-rounded perspective. 

Joey is an active member of the community. He currently serves on the Capital City Bank’s Board of Directors, as well as a current board member of the Gainesville Quarterback Club; an organization that supports the University of Florida Athletic Association. In addition, he was the past Board Chair of AMIKids, a non-profit school for at-risk children that serves all of Alachua County. 

Joey has a Bachelor’s of Science in Building Construction from the University of Florida and is a Certified General Contractor in the state of Florida. 

“When I founded Foresight, I wanted to build a company that made a significant impact on our staff, clients, community and industry,” said Foresight President/CEO Juan Segarra. “I believe we are successfully doing just that. We are always striving to add team members that will perpetuate a service-focused culture within our company, and Joey is a significant addition towards this goal. His extensive knowledge of the construction industry and in-depth understanding of the preconstruction process allows us to add an even greater level of service to our clients, and supports our vision to lead our industry by how we deliver our services.” 

For more information about Foresight Construction Group, Inc., visit www.foresightcgi.com.
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