The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Activates Business Damage Assessment Survey to Evaluate Impact of Hurricane Ian on the State’s Businesses

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Ian. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Ian recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of affected businesses.

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, DEO is committed to supporting preparation, response, and recovery efforts of Florida businesses, communities, and citizens impacted by Hurricane Ian. The business damage assessment survey assists DEO and its federal, state, and local partners in those efforts,” said DEO Secretary Dane Eagle.  “I encourage businesses impacted by Hurricane Ian to complete the Business Damage Assessment Survey at FloridaDisaster.biz.”

On September 24, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 22-219 declaring a state of emergency in all 67 counties in the State of Florida. All affected businesses should complete the survey. 

Results from the Business Damage Assessment Survey will be shared with various federal, state, and local agencies to implement appropriate relief. Businesses can complete the survey online or visit  FloridaDisaster.biz and select “Hurricane Ian” from the dropdown menu. If you need additional assistance with your business, please call 850-815-4925 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or email ESF-18@em.myflorida.com.

Complete Business Damage Assessment

In response to Hurricane Ian, the Charlotte Community Foundation activated the Charlotte County Disaster Relief Fund. The CCF Board of Directors pledge $500,000 in matching funds in an effort to provide financial assistance and resources to Charlotte County residents. Additionally, CCF activated the Charlotte County Non-Profit Disaster Relief Fund. This fund will be utilized to provide assistance to nonprofit organizations that incurred structural and/or infrastructural damage preventing them from operating. The William G. & Marie Selby Foundation has generously provided matching funds for Charlotte County.  Visit, www.charlottecf.org.

United at Work was created following Hurricane Ian to help business owners ensure their employees were able to take care of hurricane-related needs so that they can show up each day focused and ready to work. The United at Work fund offers financial assistance for individuals who are employed by a business that is based in Charlotte County or has sites in Charlotte County. The fund has a dollar-for-dollar matching grant from the Elsa & Peter Soderberg Charitable Foundation that doubles all donations up to $500,000. With your help, we can establish a $1 million pool of resources for our community. GIVE HELP: If you want to contribute to this fund – click here for more information and to make your donation to United at Work. Your donation will be doubled by the Soderberg Foundation. GET HELP: If you are an employee of a Charlotte County business, – click here to complete a simple form, detailing the needs you have. Our team will help direct you to local resources and let you know what financial assistance you may qualify for.

~~ 2023 Community Guide Link ~~

2022-2023 Sustaining Partners

Sustaining Partner businesses provide additional financial support annually to the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce which, in turn, provides them with additional valuable membership benefits. These contributions to the chamber allow for the continued increase of promotion, advocacy, involvement, and leadership at the local, state and federal levels. This is done to always be proactive in support of our businesses and the community we serve.

EMERALD LEVEL: Centennial Bank; Friendly Floors;  Granny Nannies Home Health Agency; Nolan Family Insurance;  Panther Hollow Dental Lodge;  Port Charlotte Florist; Sandhill Healing Center; South Port Square; St. Andrews South Golf Club; State Farm Insurance-Mike Martin; and Wotitzky, Wotitzky, Ross and Young, PA.

And remember, each time you attend a chamber event, your business card goes into the drawing for a 5 night Bahama or Caribbean cruse for 2 on Carnival Cruise Lines sponsored by Pat Hand,  Dancing Moon Travel.  The more events you attend, the more chances to WIN...Just look for the big gold bingo drum and add your business card!  Drawing will be at our 98th Annual Meeting 2023.

Join us on Wednesday, November 16th at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference for our Third Wednesday Coffee. Our Coffee Sponsor is Phoenix Services. Our Program Speaker is Carrie Walsh, Charlotte County Human Services Development Director.

Kindly RSVP in the member portal so that we can properly plan this event.

The Hottest Business Day in Paradise is 12 weeks away!

12^th Annual Business Expo (The Hottest Business Day in Paradise) –

Thursday, February 2, 2023 – Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center – 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda – 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. - Imagine, marketing your business in an 8’ x 10’ booth (piped/draped) and having 1,000 plus visitors and residents see the products and services you provide. You will have the opportunity to see more folks in a matter of 5 hours than you may see in a month. This will be an excellent environment for maximum business exposure for sales, lead generation and develop great connections. Plus, there will be 107 other exhibitors to develop business-to-business client/customer relationships. To reserve your booth or secure your sponsorship today, visit charlottecountychamber.org or call the chamber office at 941.627.2222.

We want to thank our Expo2023 Sponsors:

Print Sponsor: Buffalo Graffix

Newspaper Sponsor: The Daily Sun

Radio Sponsor: iHeart Media, Inc.

Silver Associate Sponsor: Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery

Silver Associate Sponsor: Life Care Center of Punta Gorda

Bronze Sponsor: Mosaic

After Hours Party Sponsor: Elite Inspections & Pest Solutions

Bag Sponsor: WhitCo Insurance-Alexia Martin Agency

Refreshment Station Sponsor: The Purple House Salon

Florin Roebig

777 Alderman Road

Palm Harbor, FL 34683

Logan Florin, John Daily

1-800-226-6581

info@florinroebig.com

https://florinroebig.com/insurance-claims/hurricane/florida/ian/

Robert L. Cochran Jr., Chapter 82, Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

1232 Market Circle, Unit 2B

Port Charlotte, FL 33953

David Grant, Earl McAfee

(941) 629-2833

davrlc@yahoo.com

https://davchapter82.com/

Jones Roofing Inc.

526 King St

Punta Gorda, FL 33950

Ned Griffis, James Doyle

(941) 544-3655

info.jonesroofingincsouth@yahoo.com

http://www.jonesroofinginc.com

BoxDrop Mattress Port Charlotte LLC - Ribbon Cutting

 Tuesday, November 15, 2022 @ 5:30p.m. (Event is from 5:30-6:30p.m.)

·       4265 Tamiami Trail Unit N, Port Charlotte (Same shopping center as Rita’s Italian ice)

·       They will be offering snacks, sodas, wine, and do mattress specials and giveaways

Please RSVP for this event in the Member Portal.

First Impressions Foundation 5 Year Celebration - Ribbon Cutting

Thursday, November 17 at 5:30 p.m.

318 Tamiami Trail #228, Punta Gorda (across from Ice House/Green 2 Story 2nd level)

Please RSVP for this event in the Member Portal.

Succentrix Business Advisors Grand Opening / Ribbon Cutting

 Tuesday December 6^th event 5-6pm Ribbon Cutting 5:30pm

  25080 Olympia Ave Suite 200 Punta Gorda

  Wine, beer, soft drinks, light appetizers and branded cookies

Please RSVP for this event in the member Portal.

FairyTail Endings Rescue Ribbon Cutting

   Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 5:30pm

  23212 Freedom Ave. Port Charlotte, FL 33980

DATE CHANGED  24 Twenty One 10 Year Anniversary Celebration & Ribbon Cutting

Tuesday, January 24 from 5pm to 7pm Ribbon Cutting at 5:30 p.m.

2421 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte - Appetizers, Entertainment,

Adult Beverages, Door Prizes Please RSVP for this event directly to 24twentyone@gmail.com or by calling them at 941-249-4059

#MembershipAddsValue! #OneCommunity

Members Send YOUR Member News/Events to BOL@charlottecountychamber.org and we'll share it each week. Email submissions of 90 words or fewer, in paragraph form, by noon on Friday for inclusion the following Monday. This is a free members-only benefit! (We do reserve the right to publish and edit any submissions.)

Join Fishermen’s Village and your neighbors for a Community Planned Development

Meeting regarding the future growth and development of Fishermen’s Village. Guests will watch a live presentation on the project, then an open discussion will commence with an opportunity for the public to ask questions and share comments about the vision and goals of the project. Fishermen’s Village Planned Development Meeting Dates Location: Military Heritage Museum, 900 W. Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, Dates and Times: Tuesday, November 15th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm or Tuesday, November 22nd from 1:00pm – 3:00pm

If you’re struggling with obesity, and repeated dieting and exercise have not worked, it may be time to consider a bariatric weight-loss procedure. Our program utilizes a wide variety of methods throughout the surgical journey, including dietary counseling, behavior modification, exercise and support groups. As we guide patients through this process, we do more than help reduce weight. We change lives. Are you ready for a real life change? Take the first step and register for a seminar. Visit ShorePointBariatricSeminar.com or call 941-637-2467. Next Seminar: Nov. 17, 4 p.m. Visual Arts Center • 210 Maud St., Punta Gorda

Charlotte Players- Nov 17-18^th Dean Martin & Friends - Tribute show by Tom Stevens. After selling out the one night only show, another show has been added the 18^th. The charismatic Tom Stevens is heralded by his growing legion of fans as the best singer-impressionist performing today. His characterizations are so uncanny that he's often accused of lip-synching. He takes this criticism as a compliment to his many years of hard work. Located at 1182 Market Circle in Port Charlotte. For tickets go to www.charlotteplayers.org or call 941-255-1022.

Ready to party?!? Bring your beverages and snacks of choice and enjoy the music of the Beatles by the The BeatleManiax … the best Beatles Show Band in Florida! Back to the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association (PGICA) by popular demand, this talented band will give you an amazing blast from the past ... just when we all need it. WE DESERVE IT ... LET'S HAVE A PARTY!! Saturday, November 19, 7 p.m., 2001 Shreve Street, PG. For tickets, click HERE, or call 941-637-1655. $35 per person. ($30 for PGICA members.)

By golly, be jolly! It’s the season of giving! Are you thinking about Christmas Shopping yet?

We have the gift they want! Get ready for Christmas Deals. We have In-Store Afterpay and Afterpay on our website and we have E-Gift Cards. Warm wishes from us to you 40% off on sales. November 21^st through 26th. December 16^th through the 24^th Mother Nature told Santa to place our gifts in his Christmas bag this year. No lump of coals only Bath Bombs. Vist Rebecca & Vernon at Two Angels Soaps, Gallery & Gifts 2686 Tamiami Trail #5A, Port Charlotte

Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity is hosting our 24^th Annual Turkey Trot! The 5k/Fun Walk will take place on Thursday, November 24^th, at FSW Punta Gorda Campus. Cost is just $40 ($45 day of) and includes a finisher medal. All funds raised benefit our Homeownership Program to help local families achieve the dream of affordable homeownership. Join us for this annual Thanksgiving tradition! For additional information and to sign up visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/PuntaGorda/CCHabitatTurkeyTrot

Charlotte County Economic Development Office has launched a post-Hurricane Ian outreach effort to contact business owners to determine their needs. “Just like homeowners, commercial property owners and businesspeople are facing a range of challenges due to Hurricane Ian,” said EDO Director Dave Gammon. “We want to talk to them, gauge their needs, and try to connect them with resources to help them recover.”

Business owners can contact the EDO at 941-764-4941 to learn about immediate assistance programs offered in Charlotte County.

With our “Red wave” in Florida, Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage is getting calls to help move both TO and AWAY FROM Florida!  No matter what your political leaning, we will help you find the home that meets all your needs.   When Quality Counts, Call Kenny at Gardiner & Sons, (941) 423-5311. 

Now that hurricane season is (hopefully) over, it is time to brace for amazing weather and road trips.  Before you take your hurricane-battered car out for a long trip, make an appointment at Complete Auto Repair to make sure water, wind, and pests haven’t made your vehicle unsafe for highway travel.  Call Mary for an appointment at (941) 623 – 2926. 

Our new Business Recovery Center is now open and located in Port Charlotte. It will be open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, at Promenades Mall - 3280 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, FL 33952.  Our disaster specialists are working alongside SBA representatives at Business Recovery Centers to provide on-site support with loans and other post-disaster challenges. ·    The Florida SBDC Network stands ready to help your small business recover. For information about disaster assistance available and how the Florida SBDC Network can help you, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org/disaster.     PTAC - Florida Hurricane and Disaster Recovery Resources     Emergency Bridge Loan Information

   Disaster Loan Fact Sheet

Building a healthier workplace one employee at a time! Gulfcoast South AHEC offers FREE tobacco cessation counseling and FREE Nicotine Replacement in the form of patches, gum and/or lozenges at no cost for qualifying participants. Let’s get back to happy and healthy together. As part of Tobacco Free Florida’s in-person/virtual Group Quit sessions, we are here to help. Call 866-534-7909 or visit gsahec.org to register today.

Charlotte County Imagination Library, an affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and a program of Gilstad Literacy Foundation, Inc., has received multiple grants and donations to support the program which mails a free book to enrolled children every month from birth until age 5. All children in this age range living in Charlotte County are eligible and can be enrolled at www.charlottecountyimaginationlibrary.org or www.imaginationlibrary.com

Kelting Inspections is a proud partner of Hometown Heroes as we understand that we cannot thank our veterans enough for what they have done for our country. For this reason we offer discounts for veterans and active duty military all year long! Call us today at 941-655-8888 to schedule.

A trend in employment screening is that more and more companies are doing background checks on contractors, temporary employees provided by staffing agencies, freelancers, and gig workers. Pre-pandemic estimates were that up to 40 percent of the workforce were contractors or gig workers ... and, legally, companies are liable for the bad behavior (sexual harassment, criminal acts, etc.) of contractors, temp employees, and gig workers just as they are for their direct employees.    For FCRA-compliant employment and tenancy screening ... contact Doris Hebert-Ferrigno at NRG Background Checks.  941-488-8500;  800-531-6522;   nrginfo@atlantic.net     

Members may create Member-to-Member deals, Hot-Deals, post Jobs and News Releases using the MIC (Member Portal). There is no additional cost to do so!  We recommend that you check these links each week to see what members are offering.

“Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.” 

We encourage members to shop with other members to keep our community and local economy strong. If you do business with one or more of our renewing members please congratulate them for their Chamber Anniversary. These are members who renewed between September 16, 2022 and October 15, 2022... Take a look!

Are you looking for an opportunity to showcase your business? A great opportunity would be sponsoring one of our Third Wednesday Coffees. Sponsors receive recognition in Business Online, on Facebook and in the Chamber calendar.  Sponsors may place marketing materials on the tables at the event and will have 4-5 minutes to introduce yourself/staff/business. Available slots are limited. Please contact Jami Joannes jjoannes@charlottecountychamber.org or call 941-627-2222 for details. Cost to sponsor is $300.

LOCAL-

Please call 2-1-1 for any resource needs.

Charlotte County Economic Development Office- www.cleared4takeoff.com

Community Organizations Active in a Disaster- https://coadfl.org/

Career Source of Southwest Florida online resources include available jobs- https://careersourcesouthwestflorida.com/immediate-southwest-florida-job-openings/

Charlotte County Department of Health- www.Charlotte.FloridaHealth.gov

City of Punta Gorda- http://www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/

Charlotte County Administration - https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/dept/admin/Pages/default.aspx

Charlotte County Public Schools- https://www.yourcharlotteschools.net/

NEW My Neighborhood, visit www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov and click My Neighborhood in the top menu. Type an address in the search field and scroll through the page to see property information and county and/or city services and public facilities in the property’s neighborhood.

United Way of Charlotte County Disaster Relief page at www.unitedwayccfl.org/ian. 

STATE AND FEDERAL-

Florida Chamber of Commerce- www.floridachamber.com/coronavirus

U.S. Department of Labor- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic

https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20200320.

Small Business Administration- www.sba.gov/disaster

Federal Emergency Management Association - www.FEMA.gov or 1-800-621-3362

Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association- https://frla.org/covid-19/

Florida Retail Federation- http://www.frf.org/index.php/news/covid-19

Florida Dept. of Health- http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/

Visit Florida- www.visitflorida.org

Governor's Office- www.flgov.com

Center for Disease Control- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Small Business Development Center - www.fsbdcswfl.org

Beautiful Shutdown-

The beautiful woman at the bar wasn't ready for the answer I gave her when she asked, "What do you and I have in common?"

"They're both vowels," I replied.