We are building again! Join businesses from around the Greater Clearwater Area in building a home with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas & West Pasco. We are seeking businesses that wish to contribute as little at $500 to helping build our community.

To find out more, contact Alison Riley at ARiley@habitatpinellas.org
This Weekend!
Member News
Member Spotlight on Fairway Independent Mortgage Corportation
The new Clearwater Team from Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation is committed to providing the best home loan solutions for their clients. Backed by excellent operations and a company that truly cares about people, they consider it their goal to help everyone achieve the dream of owning a home.
 
The team prides itself in educating customers. It’s extremely important that their clients fully understand the home buying process and are provided the very best financing options available for their specific needs.
Customer service is a way of life at Fairway. Not only are they dedicated to finding the best rates for their customers, they also offer some of the fastest turn times in the industry. Their goal is to act as trusted advisors, providing highly personalized service and guiding clients through every step of the loan process. It’s all designed to exceed expectations, guarantee satisfaction, and earn trust.
 
Please join Brandon, Kim, Chuck and Curt in a grand opening celebration May 30 th 5:30-7:30 pm at 600 Cleveland St., Suite 300, Clearwater, FL 33755
Congratulations to Morgan Brochetti on her promotion to Director of Marketing and Communications. Over the last year, Morgan has effectively advanced our marketing, social media, branding and communications efforts across the Pinellas and West Pasco area.
Join us in congratulating Val Brinkley on her promotion to Development Coordinator! In addition to her daily responsibilities, Val has recently taken on grant writing responsibilities with our VP of Development. She is also leading our Pride Build initiative and serves as the secretary on our Diversity Council.
VISIT FLORIDA gets one year lease on life

TALLAHASSEE – Florida’s tourism industry and the 140 employees at VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s tourism marketing agency, can breathe easier — at least for a few months.

House and  Senate  budget negotiators agreed Monday evening to put $50 million toward VISIT FLORIDA next year, extending it until June 30, 2020.

Florida to spend nearly $20 million on red tide research

Florida will spend nearly $20 million by 2025 to research ways to control, if not alleviate, the red tide blooms that devastated Southwest Florida’s beach economy for 15 months spanning 2017-18.
The Senate late last week unanimously approved the proposed "Florida Red Tide Mitigation & Technology Development Initiative," which would provide $3 million a year for the next six years for the state Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and Mote Marine Laboratory’s Red Tide Institute in Sarasota to form a research partnership.
The initiative is incorporated into Senate Bill 1552, sponsored by state GOP Chairman Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, which was endorsed by the Senate in a 37-0 floor vote and transmitted for endorsement to the House.

IMAGINE CLEARWATER UPDATE

Clearwater's downtown revitalization effort is months behind schedule. Its leaders still want to be thorough.
The city council's challenge: how best to strike the balance between timeliness and thoroughness?

Clearwater's next emerging neighborhood? North Marina district

North of downtown Clearwater on North Fort Harrison Avenue, empty storefronts and for rent signs mix in with thrift shops, furniture stores, and carpeting businesses.
In spite of the close proximity to the waterfront, the North Marina area has long struggled with a revolving door of businesses, vacant properties, and dilapidated buildings.
But city officials and private investors think a revival is brewing.
On May 4, a craft beer brewery, the  Clearwater Brewing Company , will open in a newly renovated 1958 building that has been a Gulf service station, an auto detail shop, a carpeting store, and a stucco business over the years.

Upcoming Public Meetings
Click on links below for meeting agenda and location details.
Government Affairs Committee Meeting
Tuesday June 18 - 7:45 am

Presentation: BayCare Health System.

BayCare offers a wide range of programs and services to meet the health care needs of individuals and communities throughout Florida. Our goal is to offer exceptional service at every level and in many forms. Whether you require emergency surgery, prenatal counseling, or outpatient imaging, you can always turn to BayCare as your single trusted source for comprehensive care. We are proud to be known throughout the Tampa Bay area for 15 not-for-profit hospitals, in addition to more than 300 facilities that offer a wide variety of additional medical services and more.


Transportation Committee Meeting
Tuesday June 18 - 9:00 am


Location:
"The Ring" Workspaces
600 Cleveland Street Suite 300 Clearwater, FL 33755

Questions?

Call: 727.461.0011 ext. 222
NATIONAL TRAVEL & TOURISM WEEK
MAY 5-11
National Travel and Tourism Week 2019, the 36th annual celebration of the contributions and accomplishments of the U.S. travel industry, will take place on May 5-11.

Participate with us by hanging posters and wearing your "We Love Visitor" Pins available for pickup from the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Contact Kristina Alspaw with any questions about how to participate
PIE AIRPORT HOSTS VETERANS HONOR FLIGHT

On Tuesday, May 7th, PIE’s 35th Honor Flight with 68 Veterans will depart St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport on an Allegiant charter for a day long visit to Washington D.C. and the war memorials. Another Honor Flight is scheduled for June 11 th .

FL's LARGEST COASTER OPENS AT BUSCH GARDENS

Opening Spring 2019 at Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay – Take on Tigris®, Florida’s tallest launch coaster, with an exhilarating triple launch, and a 150-foot skyward surge.
In the US, an estimated 210,000 cancer patients travel more than 40 miles to their treatment each year. Find out how you can assist in reducing the financial burden to these patients
Details HERE
Warm wishes,
Kristina Alspaw
Vice President of Tourism

600 Cleveland St. Suite 204
Clearwater, Florida 33755
O – 727 461-0011 ext. 233
Division Partners
Kind Regards,
Jeni Borrow
Vice President of Membership
727.461.0011 ext 226
jborrow@clearwaterflorida.org


To submit content to future Membership Newsletters, please email to Jeni