Volume 12 l March 2021

Weekly eConnection 801 West Bay Drive, Suite 602 Largo, FL 33770 Tel: 727-584-2321 Fax: 727-586-3112

"Anything Goes" Edition

ChamberSHOP! The Chamber wants to see members interacting with members!

Do business with a Chamber member and you'll get a chance to win a member profile! Your ad/logo could be featured in our BizReach & on our social media. Check out the ChamberSHOP! page for more details: ChamberSHOP!

Chamber 101 New Member Coffee

It's Great to Belong! Had the pleasure to make some new friends at the Chamber's 101 New Member Coffee. Nate Cocco of State Farm Team Cocco and Chairman-Elect of our Board of Directors is seen here helping the group "like" us on Facebook. Looking forward to many more opportunities to engage with our members as the months unfold. www.CentralChamber.biz

The 2021-2022 Directory & Go-to-Guide Ad slots available - a couple of weeks left!

Call Kelvin Mack at (727)584-2321 or email him at events@centralchamber.biz to discuss the details or request a fillable PDF to easily submit your information.

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremonies   Chamber Ribbon-Cutting Ceremonies are another great way to get your business noticed! For more, reach out to Zoe at Membership@CentralChamber.biz or call 727-584-2321

Tampa Bay COVID Update! March 22, 2021

The COVID-19 Regional Re-Opening Dashboard tracks the critical and official public health metrics that guide Tampa Bay residents and policymakers to safely re-open our economy. It’s produced by the Tampa Bay Partnership. Case growth rates in Tampa Bay decreased this past week, to 907 per day over the 14-day period ending March 21, versus the 928 reported the prior week. At 5.99%, Tampa Bay's positive testing rate over the past week remains below the 10% threshold outlined in state and federal re-opening guidelines, yet increased from last week’s rate of 5.42%. Statewide, the positive testing rate was also below the 10% threshold and rose from 5.31% to 5.60%. The 7-day rolling average of Tampa Bay patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19 decreased by 3.3% in the past week and, as of Sunday, 661 such patients were hospitalized.

Florida's online tax plan moving forward amid stimulus A windfall of federal stimulus money won't slow a deal between state House and Senate leaders that includes requiring out-of-state online retailers to collect sales taxes on purchases made by Floridians. Florida gas prices hit 3-year high at $2.91 per gallon For the first time in three years, gas prices in Florida are averaging more than $2.90 per gallon. Florida drivers are now paying $2.91 per gallon, the highest daily average price since May 2018, AAA says. Hurricane Facts: When did Florida first give a hurricane supply sales tax break? Florida legislators are preparing a bill to once again enact the Disaster Preparedness Tax Free Holiday ahead of the upcoming hurricane season. A year into pandemic, an unprecedented number are calling 211 for help in Sarasota-Manatee Requests logged by Suncoast 211 – which encompasses Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties – show unprecedented numbers of people are calling the helpline who are facing economic hardships since the start of the pandemic. Car rental companies in Tampa Bay face high demand, tight inventory Many companies sold off vehicles last year as business fell. Now they’re scrambling to buy more cars as prices for those available spike.

Share info about your business… Central Pinellas BizReach E-Connection For a nominal fee of $35 per issue or $100 a month, you can highlight news about your business opening and specials. Here are the details. One entry for $35, four entries for $100 (you can edit from week to week). For non-profits: One entry for $25, four entries for $50. https://www.centralchamber.biz/index.php?id=154&eventuid=5598 All Chamber members are eligible to provide business updates and special member-to-member offers/discounts. Central Pinellas BizReach is distributed weekly on Fridays. Provide information/updates by noon the Wednesday prior. Images in jpg or png format with offer will be accepted. Via email to Zoe Basheska at membership@centralchamber.biz

Thank you to our Trustees and Newsletter Sponsors

Bay Care/Morton Plant Hospital Cloud Law Firm PA Duke Energy Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital Home Instead/Be a Santa Jackson & Associates CPA Melody Hunter, Charles Rutenberg Realty MidFlorida Credit Union National Aviation Academy

Nova Southeastern University - Tampa Bay Paradise Air Piper Fire Protection Platinum Information Services Regions Bank Spectrum Reach The Palms of Largo Valley National Bank Wealth Builders

The Weekly E-Connection is made possible by the following generous sponsors:

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