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Chamber Seeking Nominations for New 2018 Board Members
Nominations due 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:
Kevin Monroe, Board Chair-Elect
Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce
300 E. University Ave., Ste. 100
Gainesville, FL 32601
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July 24 Distinguished Speaker Luncheon - Commissioner David Arreola
July 31 Chamber Board Nominations Due
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Column Highlights University of Florida as a Local and Global Catalyst for Good
From the announcement of its plans to hire more than 500 new faculty, to its success in garnering a record $791 million in research funding, and more, the University of Florida has been a consistent source of good news for our region.
The Sunday issue of the Gainsville Sun features a column by Chamber Board Chair Rory Causseaux on the reasons the region and the world are better of because of UF. Read the column
here.
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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!
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GRU Update: Commission to Deliberate GRU Budget Proposal Today; Bielarski Speaks to Proposed Increase
City Commissioners met twice last week to discuss GRU's budget proposal--which includes a proposed 2 percent rate increase -- and will meet today to deliberate whether or not to approve it. If approved, utility bills would begin reflecting the increase after October 1.
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Healthcare Innovation: UF Health's First Retinal Implant Gives Patient New Window to the World
UF Health recently performed a revolutionary artificial-vision procedure that has given a patient who had been blind for more than 20 years a new window to the world.
UF Health Physician Gibran Khurshid, M.D.-- UF Health's first retina surgeon to have expertise in this area -- perform the surgery that made the patients's new vision possible.
More here...
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Third i3 Forum Explores Roads
The Chamber's July 12 i3 (Putting Children First Infrastructure Investment Initiative) public meeting drew more than 50 members of the community out to discuss the state of the county's roads, needed repairs and upgrades, and what it would cost to implement them.
Attendees also had an opportunity to participate in break-out sessions to talk about other infrastructure priorities in Alachua County as well as possible options to fund addressing them.
Since October 2016, the 10-member i3 Steering Committee—with community leaders from the Gainesville Chamber, the African American Accountability Alliance, the Alachua County Chapter of the NAACP, the Builders Association of North Central Florida, the Alachua County Council of PTAs, the Education Foundation of Alachua County, the Gainesville-Alachua County Association of Realtors and the Alachua Chamber of Commerce—has conducted research and participated in meetings public officials and staff to uncover what the County's greatest infrastructure needs are.
Additionally, including the July 12 meeting, the Chamber more than 200 citizens have participated in conversations about the county's infrastructure needs and possible solutions.
During the i3 process, school infrastructure, public safety communications, roads and parks and recreation were identified as areas to explore. Now that the final public meeting of the initiative has concluded, the steering committee will deliberate the outcomes of its research, dialogues and public feedback and draft a report that will summarize what we have learned and include recommended next steps to approaching the issues. The report is expected to be released in September.
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City and County Meetings This Week
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CITY MEETINGS
- Commission meeting TODAY - Commissioners to Vote on GRU's Proposed Budget and more. Details here...
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COUNTY MEETINGS
- Rural Concerns Advisory Committee, Local Planning Commission, Development Review Committee, and more. Details here...
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InterCity Leadership Exchange
The Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Intercity Leadership Exchange is a three-day educational and highly interactive business leadership trip that supports efforts by our community to learn about best practices from cities across the U.S.
On
October 16-18, 2017 the Chamber will lead a group of community and business leaders on a trip to study one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., Columbus, Ohio. Vibrant and progressive, Columbus’ dynamic yet stable economy is the envy of many other U.S. and international cities. Its collaborative business environment makes it a place where entrepreneurs can take risks, and small businesses and major corporations can thrive – earning it the distinction as
one of the top metros for job creation. Click
here to view the
event flyer.
Registration is $1,650 per person (spouses are welcome to attend for $800) and includes hotel, food, sessions and ground transportation. Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. Reserve your spot and register today at
gainesvillechamber.com.
WHY COLUMBUS?
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Join Us This Week for Ribbon Cutting Events at Baker Auto Repair and Bahama Breeze
On Friday at 11 a.m., join us to celebrate the grand opening of Baker Auto Repair with a Ribbon Cutting Celebration! Bake Auto Repair is a Gainesville-native, brother/sister venture. They are committed to affordable auto repair and to serving their customers with honest, quality and value. The event will include food, drinks, giveaways, tours, music, speeches and a blood drive. The official Ribbon Cutting ceremony will commence at 11:30 a.m.
Learn more…
Meanwhile, Bahama Breeze officially opens its newly constructed location in Butler Plaza North with a Ribbon Cutting celebration beginning at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 24. The ceremony will begin at 2:10 p.m. Bahama Breeze offers a Caribbean-inspired setting, hand-crafted tropical drinks, and a vibrant island atmosphere that lets you feel a million miles away from home any day of the week. Join us! The address is 3989 Plaza Blvd. Gainesville FL in Butler Plaza North. Questions about the event should be directed to
Vanessa Tostes.
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UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS:
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July 21 Ribbon Cutting at Baker's Auto Repair
July 24 Ribbon Cutting at Bahama Breeze
July 15 Let's Do Brunch
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Boost Your Exposure - Opportunities for Chamber Sponsorship Available
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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:
- Become an Annual Sponsor - Join our Circle of Champions and have your company recognized as one of our premier partners
- 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.
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Sports Illustrated names One Love Cafe among places to eat and drink in Gainesville
Sports Illustrated's "SI Eats" column recently hailed One Love Cafe -- a Chamber member since 2015 -- among three places to eat in Gainesville. Authored regularly by Andy Staples, the column explores food, drink and culture in different locales.
In his column, Staples recalls his challenge in finding restaurants that are both fun for kids and offer cuisine that adults genuinely enjoy.
"It turns out that place exists in Gainesville, Fla.," Staples writes. He also goes on to outline why this innovating dining concept is possible in a place like Gainesville, but would not be possible in New York or San Francisco.
The article also named Root & Pecker and Pearl's Country Store and Barbecue as places to eat.
Read more here...
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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.
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Alachua Among Counties with 12.5% Higher FAFSA Completion Rates
Counties supported by Local College Access Networks saw FAFSA (Federal Application for Free Student Aid) completion rates increase 12.5% higher than counties not supported by Local College Access Networks (LCAN).
The Alachua County Education Compact--which serves as the LCAN for Alachua County--last fall issued a local FAFSA Challenge as part of a larger nationwide effort. In response to the call, Jennifer Taylor, Supervisor of Guidance and Student Services led the efforts of guidance counselors at seven Alachua County Public High Schools to meet the goal of achieving a 5 percent increase. The counselors' collective work paid off, increasing the number of completed applications by 9.6 percent, nearly twice the goal of the challenge.
Florida fared well overall in its response to the challenge, with the third-highest year-to-year increase of any state in the number of total Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) filings during the 2016-17 school year, according to the National College Access Network. The state’s 19% improvement trailed only Utah (33%) and Wyoming (22%). Florida is the third most-populous state in the country, compared to Utah (30th) and Wyoming (51st, after D.C.). Read more here...
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Hot Jobs at CareerSource North Central Florida
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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
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Rodney Tatum of Mirror Reflections Auto Spa is the Newest Blog Writer For Auto Detailing Distributor
Rodney Tatum, owner and operator of Mirror Reflections Auto Spa LLC, has been chosen be a part of the Ask-A-Pro blog writing team for Detailed Image. Rodney will be one of 15 professional auto detailers included in this exclusive group. Detailed Image is a supplier of high-end car care supplies. The Ask-A-Pro blog writing team writes product reviews, how-to articles, and write-ups of their auto-detailing projects. This platform is in alignment with Rodey's vision of not only providing a premium level detailing service, but to teach and demystify the auto-detailing process to those who may not always be able to afford a professional level of service.
For more information, visit Mirror Reflections Auto Spa's website or the Detailed Image Ask-A-Pro website.
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Francheska Gonzalez of McGriff Williams Insurance Awards $2,000 to Plenty of Pit Bulls
McGriff Williams Insurance has been awarded $2,000 to donate to Plenty of Pit Bulls, as a participant in the Safeco Insurance® Change Agents campaign. The program rewards independent agents whose volunteer efforts make a difference in their communities and recognizes that small, everyday steps can have a big local impact.
The goal of the Safeco Change Agents program is to recognize that significant change doesn’t always require huge projects or massive time commitments. Francheska Gonzalez of McGriff Williams Insurance was one of two agents nationwide who garnered the most attention on social media for their charitable efforts related to animal welfare in order to receive the $2,000 donation from Safeco Insurance.
“Independent agents give back in all kinds of ways: As insurance professionals, they serve as trusted advisors to help people protect what matters most. As agency owners, many provide jobs and other benefits to the community,” said James Dingle, Safeco Insurance Southeast Region Territory Manager. “Safeco Change Agents recognizes the individual’s passion project to support causes and organizations that are meaningful to them.”
Throughout the year, the Safeco Change Agents program is focusing on different charity themes, encompassing community issues of food security, animal welfare, health awareness, fire safety and veterans’ services. During each theme period, agents are asked to submit photos of their volunteer passion project with their selected community nonprofit organization focusing on the theme.
Photo Caption: (L to R) – Kia Hendrix, foster mom/volunteer; Katherine Rivera, foster coordinator/mom; Blanca Carbia, treasurer/vet coordinator; Jamie Dingle, Safeco Insurance; Francheska Gonzalez, McGriff Williams Agent, Plenty of Pit Bulls Social Media Operations/volunteer; and Chrissy Caron, foster mom & volunteer. Pups: Raja and Keegan
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Welcome New Members!
A&M Errand Service, LLC
iCARE:International Consortium for Affordable Rehabilitation & Education
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Thank You Renewing Members for Your Continued Support!
New York Life Co. - Martha Kearns
The Thomas Sound Group
Jason's Deli
Student Maid
Waste Pro Inc.
Foresight Construction Group
The ITM Group
Kiwanis Club of the University City
Miller Real Estate
Adam's Rib Co. North
James Moore & Associates, CPAs
Sun Country Sports Center
D.L. Hulse Consulting LLC
A&M Corporation
Austin, Gillman & Lovano
G.W. Robinson Homes
Oak Hammock at the University of Florida
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