POSTPONED! Annual Meeting & Awards Breakfast 

The Chamber’s Annual Meeting & Awards Breakfast has been postponed until Tuesday, October 18. All reservations for that date will be honored. The Chamber office will be closed starting today, Tuesday, Sept. 27 and will reopen when conditions allow. 

Please heed all recommended precautions and be safe!

Here’s a link to the Pinellas County Storm Center to monitor Ian: https://storm.pinellascounty.org/

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for AMA Medical Group

Postponed until November 10.

For more information, and to register, visit centralchamber.biz/events

Florida under watches and warnings as Hurricane Ian expected to rapidly intensify

A large swath of Florida’s Gulf Coast is under hurricane and storm surge watches Monday from Hurricane Ian, which whipped up overnight and is expected to turn into a major storm as it heads toward a potential first landfall in western Cuba.

U.S. Sugar deal gets go-ahead

A judge Friday rejected an attempt by federal antitrust officials to block U.S. Sugar Corp. from purchasing another large player in the sugar industry.

‘Bleisure’ travelers give some Fort Lauderdale hotels a lift by lingering for longer stays

So-called “bleisure” visitors — business travelers who extend their trips for a few extra days so they can take in local attractions — are making their presence felt as companies again underwrite the cost of sending employees out of town on business.

St. Pete bank, citing economic uncertainty, pulls plug on mortgage lending

St. Petersburg-based BayFirst National Bank, formerly known as First Home Bank, has made moves toward significantly scaling back its mortgage lending business.

Backed by rapper Diddy, REC Miami set to nurture aspiring music professionals

With REC Miami’s upcoming launch in Little River, local creative professionals will have resources and opportunities in their own backyard to help them chase their entertainment-business dreams.