Volume 28 l July 2021

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

President's Report Edition

From the President’s Desk…            Aah, summer in Florida! Non-stop air conditioning, binge watching the Weather Channel, and thrice weekly lawn mowing.            It’s also a season of preparation here at your Chamber.  During the next several weeks, our leadership will be developing the Program of Work for 2021-2022.  Our new program year – I’m calling it the Comeback Year following COVID – officially begins October 1. Chairman-Elect Nate Cocco of State Farm Team Cocco will be looking to the membership for its support in growing the organization during his term at the helm.            To learn more about our successes this program year, please mark your calendars for our 68th Annual Meeting & Awards Breakfast.  It takes place on Thursday, September 30 from 7:30 to 9:30 at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort. There are some great sponsorship packages to showcase your business to this audience of business and regional leaders including some time on stage. Give us a call if you’re interested.            Wishing you all a happy summer and a prosperous month,            Tom Morrissette

THIS THURSDAY... Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Let's celebrate a new member with a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony! When: July 15th @ 5 pm Where: 13819 Walsingham Road, Suite H, Largo 33774 Register here: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

2021 Annual Chamber Community Awards: Nominations now open!

*****Throughout our community and within the organization are many individuals worthy of acclaim. *****To spotlight their contributions in helping to make our community a better place to live and work, the Chamber each year presents its “Citizen of the Year” and “Mac Norcross Small Business Person of the Year” awards. *****These distinguished honors will be presented at our 68th Annual Awards Breakfast on Thursday, Sept. 30 at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort. It’s with much pomp and circumstance that we add these two individuals to the celebrated company of past recipients.            Use this link for Awards Criteria, Nomination Form and list of past recipients: https://www.centralchamber.biz/annual-chamber-awards            Please take the time to consider if there is someone you know who embodies the characteristics of these honors, and submit your nomination(s) by Friday, Sept. 3. If you have any questions, call Tom at 584-2321 or email tom@CentralChamber.biz.

12th Annual Inspire Awards: Now accepting nominations!

The Nomination form is available for download here. To register as a Sponsor, visit the Inspire Awards event page or contact the chamber at (727)584-2321. Tickets are $25 per person. They are available for purchase here.

Stop by the office and pick out an ornament!

Canadians ready to return to Florida as restrictions ease Canadians are preparing to return to Florida as their government eases months of COVID-19 travel restrictions. Florida businesses that traditionally serve Canadian snowbirds and short-term tourists can hardly wait. Florida sees more COVID cases, higher positivity rates New cases of the coronavirus have been on the rise in Florida over the past month. The rate of positive tests was 7.8% last week after trending at about 4% positivity in recent weeks. Thousands in South Florida could face foreclosure with federal protection coming to an end Time is running out for thousands of South Florida families who are facing foreclosure on their homes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Florida grocers look for an edge as competition gets even tighter To stay competitive in a brutal market, grocers need to find ways to differentiate themselves. A cheaper can of beans no longer cuts it. 2021 is already the deadliest year on record for Florida manatees. Why are they dying? More manatees have already died in 2021 than any other year in state history, as biologists point to seagrass loss in the Indian River Lagoon as a catalyst for starvation and malnutrition.

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 The Palms of Largo Valley National Bank Village Inn Wealth Builders

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

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