The University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) produces Florida's official population estimates each year and have released the preliminary 2020 population as of April 1. Largo's 2020 population estimate is 85,574, an increase from the 2019 population estimate of 83,737 and the 2010 population estimate of 77,648.

In partnership with Keep Pinellas Beautiful, the City of Largo is excited to launch a new Community Composting Program to encourage waste reduction and create a more sustainable Largo. Composting is easy to do and has numerous benefits including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improving soil health, and reduced fertilizer use. Stay tuned to Largo.com and Facebook.com/CityofLargo for more information about the program as it becomes available.

SUSTAINABILITY SERIES: ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE

Hear about some of the latest updates in climate science and how they are already impacting our community. Learn about topics from sea level rise to heat island effect, how they can change our community and ways we can all take action to help reduce their impact. Join us live on Facebook this Saturday, August 29 at 10:30am to learn more from the City of Largo's Sustainability Administrator, Laura Thomas, to get your questions answered.

Largo's Business Continuity Program is still available for businesses that have experienced economic injury resulting from the Governor's Executive Orders and Pinellas County's order mandating a closure or partial closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Commercial mortgage and rent assistance is available in the amount of $1,000 grants. As of August 28, a total of $79,000 has been disbursed to 79 Largo businesses for recovery from the program's budget from the General Revenue Fund. A total of $16,000 has been disbursed to 16 businesses within the West Bay Drive (WBD) Community Redevelopment District from the WBD Tax Increment Fund. Businesses are encouraged to apply by visiting Largo.com/Renew and selecting the Business Resources link. The program and application portal will close on September 30, 2020 and applications will not be accepted after the closing date.

On August 25, the City issued an approval memo to allow the applicant to upgrade the clubhouse in the Fairway Village mobile home community located at 1100 Belcher Road. Upgrades include demolishing the existing clubhouse and constructing a new, larger facility in its place.

Only 60.6% of Largo residents have completed the 2020 Census and each person that goes uncounted results in less funding for our community (school funding, medical services, highway projects, etc.) in addition to impacting Florida's political representation. The new deadline to respond to the Census is September 30. Representatives from the Census Bureau are conducting door-to-door responses starting in August.

Help us #MakeLargoCount! How can you help?

A virtual Neighborhood Information Meeting was held on August 19, to discuss redeveloping an existing 7-Eleven located at 5860 Roosevelt Blvd (PIN: 32-29-16-70362-100-1403). The property was recently approved for a Future Land Use Map Amendment (FLUM20-001) and the site is designated Commercial General (CG) on the City of Largo Future Land Use Map. All property owners and residents within 500 feet of the subject property were invited to participate in the meeting. The applicant, Jeremy Anderson of Common Oak Engineering, LLC, agent appointed by owner 7-ELEVEN, INC, is requesting site plan approval to demolish the existing facility and construct a new 3,500 sq. ft. convenience store with fueling canopies, a 980 sq. ft. single bay car wash, and associated site work and landscaping. The existing 7-Eleven site will be combined with a 1.06 acre portion of Parcel No. 32-29-16-70362-100-1400 (owned by Suncoast Center Properties). The shared portion of the building occupied by Average Joe’s Bar & Grille will remain. The new development will include 1.67 acres of land designated as Commercial General (CG) on the City of Largo Future Land Use Map. The applicant and Planning Division staff were present to answer questions from the public. Meeting details, the proposed site plan and a recording of the meeting are available at Largo.com/NIM.

Need to request a Mail Ballot? Any registered voter may vote by mail. All requests for ballots to be mailed must be received no later than 5pm on the 10th day prior to an election. Return your ballot by mail or use one of the convenient ballot drop-off locations available during designated dates and times throughout the county. Learn more at VotePinellas.com.

Are you passionate about maintaining Largo's community standards? The Code Enforcement Board has an opening for a community member with mid-day availability (last Thursday of each month). As a resident volunteer, you will review and help correct issues in the community where standards are not being met. For more information call 727-587-6710 Ext. 7003, email CityClerk@largo.com, or apply at Largo.CivicWeb.net/Portal/BoardApplication.

The City of Largo received an Award of Distinction from the 2020 Videographer Awards for last year's City Accomplishments video, Largo's 2019 is Worth Celebrating and is now featured on the 2020 Winners Website. This collaborative project involved a lot of time and commitment from team members across multiple departments and it's very exciting to see their achievements showcased. Please take a few minutes to look back at 2019 and celebrate with us.

The Videographer Awards are administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP). The international organization consists of several thousand marketing, communication, advertising, public relations, media production and free-lance professionals who have entered AMCP programs.

The Fall edition of Play magazine is now available! Find information on adult, aquatic, athletic, fitness, nature, preschool, senior, special events, teen and youth programs, classes, leagues and events offered both in-person and virtually. Download the magazine and register for programs online.