Volume 48 l November 2019

Weekly eConnection
801 West Bay Drive, Suite 602 Largo, FL 33770
Tel: 727-584-2321 Fax: 727-586-3112
Economic Development & Advocacy Edition
The Weekly E-Connection is made possible by the following generous sponsors:
Central Pinellas Chamber Upcoming Events
Check our home page for registrations, times and locations

12/13 - Chamber Annual Holiday Luncheon - 11:45a - 1:15p   
1/23 - Focus on 2020: A Tampa Bay Economic Forecast - 7:30a - 9:30a   
Happy Thanksgiving!
Our best wishes to you for a wonderful holiday and sincere thanks for all your support during the year!
 
Tom Morrissette, President
Kelvin Mack, Events & Community Outreach Director
Rezarta Marini, Receptionist-Visitor Desk Associate

  Chamber Thanksgiving Holiday Break
Thursday, Nov. 28 – Office Closed    Friday, Nov. 29 – Office Closed
Limited sponsorships now available
A Chamber signature event!
A win for the Chamber!
Florida orders cut in workers' compensation insurance rates
Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier has signed off on reducing workers’ compensation insurance rates for Florida businesses beginning Jan. 1. Altmaier signed a final order earlier this month, reducing average rates by 7.5% for new and renewed workers’ compensation policies. That is a deeper rate cut than a 5.4% reduction initially recommended this summer by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, which makes rate filings for workers’ compensation insurers. These rate cuts have been a part of the Chamber’s Legislative Agenda for the past several years. 
Florida’s record tourism continues, but growth slows
Florida is continuing its best tourism year ever, welcoming another 31.6 million visitors during the third quarter of 2019. But while gross numbers are at all-time highs, year-to-year growth numbers for the third quarter are the lowest they’ve been in any quarter since 2010. That’s according to numbers released Wednesday by Visit Florida. More from  Florida Politics .
FL Budget experts still expect revenue slowdown
A big question for state budget estimators is not if, but how much, Florida’s revenue will lag expectations in the next two years as the budget conference prepares for next year’s Session. The State Revenue Estimating Conference met Wednesday to prepare its annual year-end report that writes estimates for the next 10 years. The meeting focused on the second half of that next decade. [Source:  Florida Politics ]
Got something to say about Tampa Bay transit? Take this e-survey
Envision 2030 is Tampa Bay's first Regional Transit Development Plan. It’s both a vision and a strategy to improve the quality of life in Tampa Bay through world-class regional transit service connecting Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco and Pinellas counties. More information about Envision 2030 can be found on TBARTA’s website:
               How can you provide input? Help plan Tampa Bay's transit future by taking the MetroQuest survey:  https://envision2030.metroquest.com/
               It’s open now through December 31, and results will be incorporated into TBARTA’s Envision 2030 plan. As a bonus, those who take the online survey can also enter for a chance to win a pair of Tampa Bay Lightning tickets to a game in early 2020.
Reserve your space now!

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Contact Kelvin at the Chamber, 727.584.2321 or events@centralchamber.biz