June 2, 2020

Greetings! We can't wait to see you! Our June 12 Business Before Hours Sponsored by Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC will be held in person at Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village. Safety precautions, including limited capacity and social distancing, will be taken. Jennifer Adams, Director of Destin - Fort Walton Beach Tourist Development, will update us on summer tourism, the increased marketing efforts for end of summer/fall business, and the new Venture Out program. Register and see all of the event safety precautions.

City of Destin Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program is Open The application period for the City of Destin's Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program ends Friday, June 5. See qualifications and download application here .

Current COVID-19 Data Now Available on DestinChamber.com Visit our website for up-to-date, local COVID-19 metrics.

Want a Hands-On, In-Depth Destin Learning Experience? Applications for Destin Forward, our community education and leadership program, are now available. What have recent graduates said about the program? "I really enjoyed Destin Forward. It does not matter what stage of your career you are in, whether it’s the beginning, middle or towards the end. This experience still teaches you new things especially about Destin, and you meet some great people that you’ll share a common bond with for years to come. I highly recommend participating!" - Stephanie Larabee, Hancock Whitney Bank "Destin Forward is certainly a time to be treasured. From learning so much about Destin and its history, to the bonds formed with classmates. Destin Forward also offers each class the opportunity to make a long lasting impact on the community, which makes it very unique. I encourage anyone no matter where you are in your life and career to take time out and join a class." - Dena Critch Find details and the application here. $75 scholarships are available upon request.

PPP Loan Forgiveness: A Step-By-Step Video Explanation The US Chamber released a new video, which provides a step-by-step explanation of the Payment Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness process, including calculations and repayment terms. Watch the video here. The latest data shows that the US Small Business Administration approved 336,539 PPP loans in Florida, totaling $30.4 billion in approved funding for Florida businesses.

Are You Ready for Hurricane Season? Please use these guides to help update your business' hurricane preparedness plan: City of Destin Hurricane Information Guide Okaloosa County Hurricane Guide Florida Division of Emergency Management Emergency Planning Guide FEMA Evacuation Procedures & Supplies During COVID-19 Pandemic Don't forget the 2020 Florida's Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday ends June 4. See what is included.

Leadership Okaloosa Applications Available Now Leadership Okaloosa is an esteemed leadership training and development program with a 30-year history of being a vital part of Okaloosa County’s growth and development of its leaders. This 9-month experience is designed to enhance the participant’s leadership skills and provide community awareness. Find details and application here.

Your Census Makes A Difference From directing federal funds to local communities to determining political representation in all levels of government, accurate census counts are vital. Destin is only reporting a 29.8% response rate to the 2020 Census. Please take time to complete the census today! Call (844) 330-2020 or complete the Census online at  www.My2020Census.Gov .

City of Destin COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Grant Program Emerald Coast Theatre Company Resumes In-Person On-Site Summer Camp 2020 Programs Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Announces Rescheduled Concerts in the Village Line-Up Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon Treats Hospital Staff to Ice Cream CRC Data Technologies Blog: How Dark is the Dark Web? #youcanhelp Fight Food Insecurity Along the Pandhandle Whataburger Delivery is Here! Northwest Florida State College is awarded $1.15 Million Dollar Department of Labor Grant to Fund the NWFSC Job Corps Scholars Program Auditions for NFB Académie Third Grade Students Rescheduled for June 27 AB+Production Offers Customer Value Journey EDC Touts Manufacturing Advantages to National Audience Okaloosa Arts Alliance Virtual School Poster Contest Winners Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida Receives $20K Grant Thank you to those businesses and organizations stepping up to help each other and the community. We want to share your upcoming events and highlight your good works. Please send updates to espies@DestinChamber.com .

Business Before Hours Sponsored by Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC Friday, June 12 | 7:30 - 9 a.m. Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village Registration is required! Jennifer Adams, Director of Destin - Fort Walton Beach Tourist Development, will update us on summer tourism, the increased marketing efforts for end of summer/fall business, and the new Venture Out program. Attendance is limited to 72 guests. Register and see all of the event safety precautions.

Powerhouse Women Series: Marcia Hull, Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Wednesday, June 17 | 12 - 1 p.m. Virtual Event Register here! In 2020, Ladies Who Launch is highlighting impactful women in our community through the new Powerhouse Women Series. On June 17, Marcia Hull, CEO of the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, will share her love of the arts and preserving the legacy of Destin matriarch Mattie Kelly.

Okaloosa County Commission Candidates Virtual Forum Tuesday, June 23 | 5:30 - 7 p.m. Virtual Event Register here! The Destin Chamber Board of Directors is hosting all candidates for the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners for a virtual forum. Do you have a question for the candidates? Please email them to espies@DestinChamber.com or be prepared to post them into the Q&A during the event. You must register to receive login instructions.

Military Affairs Council (MAC) Meeting Wednesday, July 1 | 12 - 1 p.m. Destin Chamber Find details here.

Annual Golf Tournament Sponsored by Renasant Bank Thursday, October 1 | Noon Shotgun Start Emerald Bay Golf Club Find details here. Half Shell Oyster House will join us for a cookout featuring oysters, hamburgers and hotdogs before the tournament begins, and Acme Oyster House will be shucking oysters all afternoon. We will also have a putting content and prizes for longest drive and closest to the pin. Check out sponsorships and team registration here.

Cavinder Elevator Company Latitude at Hammock Bay

Save $ On Office Supplies Did you know Destin Chamber members save money on office supplies with Office Depot? Click here to print a store purchasing card to use in the Destin location or visit www.mychamberadvantage.com/Chamber_SignUp to sign up online.

DestinChamber.com | (850) 837-6241

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