Member News
Florida Chamber of Commerce member press releases/updates.
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Oct- 2025 -24 October
KEITH Volunteers Support Palm Beach County Teachers Through Red Apple Supplies
KEITH Community Champions recently returned to the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County’s Red Apple Supplies—not as consultants, but as hands-on volunteers—helping operate the free teacher resource store that provides essential classroom materials to local educators. Through their efforts, KEITH supported 51 teachers in saving more than $18,000 in supplies, directly benefiting students across the county. This initiative reflects KEITH’s continued commitment to strengthening education and equity, echoing the Foundation’s impact where 95% of teachers…
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24 October
UF/IFAS Launches 40,000-Square-Foot AI Center to Boost Florida Agriculture and Environmental Resilience
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is breaking ground on a new 40,000-square-foot Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture at its Gulf Coast Research & Education Center in Balm, Hillsborough County, aimed at helping Florida farmers protect crop yields and the environment while fostering a tech-driven agribusiness economy. The hub will unite AI scientists, engineers and extension specialists to develop innovations like precision breeding, robotic spraying and reduced-chemistry crop…
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24 October
Polk State College Launches AgriPolk to Cultivate Future Agricultural Leaders
Polk State College has launched AgriPolk, a new initiative designed to connect students passionate about agriculture with higher education and workforce training that lead to sustainable, rewarding careers. The program blends a transferable Associate in Arts (AA) degree with hands-on coursework, certifications, and seamless transfer opportunities to four-year universities, including the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS). AgriPolk targets students interested in fields such as crop and livestock production, soil and…
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24 October
Florida Poly President Devin Stephenson Named to Florida 500 List for Second Consecutive Year
Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Polytechnic University, has been named one of Florida Trend magazine’s Florida 500 most influential business leaders for the second year in a row, recognizing his leadership in advancing innovation, education, and economic development across the state. Under his guidance, Florida Poly has seen record-breaking enrollment for two consecutive years, national recognition for academic excellence, and continued expansion of its state-of-the-art campus. Recent milestones include the upcoming openings of the…
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21 October
Tampa Electric Team Collects Over 3,000 Pounds of Peanut Butter to Fight Hunger
Tampa Electric employees came together in a big way for the annual Peanut Butter Challenge, collecting an impressive 3,118.56 pounds of peanut butter in support of Feeding America. The friendly competition among teams across South Hillsborough, Network, Eastern, Transmission, Plant City/Dade, Winter Haven, Western, and Central regions was part of The Cheesecake Factory’s nationwide Peanut Butter Drive, held in honor of National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day. This initiative is rooted in the Oscar & Evelyn…
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21 October
FAMU’s School of Business & Industry Awarded $50,000 Ryder “Future of Excellence” Grant
Florida A&M University’s School of Business & Industry (SBI) has received a $50,000 “Future of Excellence” grant from Ryder System, Inc. and the Ryder Charitable Foundation to support scholarships, program enhancements, and the creation of a new “Ryder Room” on campus. The initiative underscores a growing partnership between academia and industry, aimed at preparing students for leadership roles in business and logistics. By investing in academic excellence and workforce development, Ryder’s contribution will help expand…
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21 October
Health Care District of Palm Beach County Expands Impact Through Strategic Partnerships
The Health Care District of Palm Beach County is strengthening its role as a leader in community health through a series of innovative partnerships designed to improve access, efficiency, and outcomes across the region. In a recent feature by the South Florida Business Journal, the District’s CEO underscored the organization’s focus on collaboration as a driving force for progress. Key initiatives include a partnership with Tampa General Hospital to enhance rural health services at Lakeside…
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16 October
Florida Poly Repeats National Top 10 Career Outcomes Ranking
LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University has earned a Top-10 national ranking for graduates’ career outcomes in WalletHub’s 2026 College & University Rankings, released Monday, Oct. 13. This marks the second consecutive year Florida Poly ranks among the nation’s best for career success, placing it alongside elite institutions such as Caltech, Yale and Duke, and ahead of academic powerhouses such as Harvard, Notre Dame and MIT. The University also earned high rankings for affordability, placing No.…
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10 October
Vinik Sports Group, Benchmark International Launch $3 Million Community Investment with Fan-Driven Impact
Tampa’s sports and entertainment scene is set to gain new momentum: Vinik Sports Group (VSG) and Benchmark International have unveiled a $3 million community investment initiative tied to their naming rights partnership for the newly christened Benchmark International Arena. The effort will focus on supporting food security, education, and health and wellness programs across the Tampa Bay region, with beneficiaries selected jointly by The Lightning Foundation and Benchmark. Unique to this strategy is the Voices…
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10 October
Maria del Carmen Ramos Honored as 2025 “International Person of the Year” by TBOWIT
Maria del Carmen Ramos, a partner and leader of the Immigration National Service Line at Shumaker, has been named the 2025 International Person of the Year by the Tampa Bay Organization of Women in International Trade (TBOWIT). The award recognizes her leadership, deep expertise, and significant contributions to global business growth in Tampa Bay, Florida, and beyond. Ramos has earned repeated honors, including Tampa’s Top Immigration Lawyer, Best Lawyers in America, and Florida Legal Elite.…
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10 October
City Furniture Launches Annual Pink Pumpkins Drive to Support Breast Cancer Awareness
City Furniture has kicked off its annual Pink Pumpkins Drive in partnership with the American Cancer Society, marking another year of commitment to the fight against breast cancer. Throughout October, the company is distributing pink buckets in showrooms across Florida to encourage donations and raise awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The initiative not only brings communities together in support of life-saving research and patient programs but also reflects City Furniture’s continued dedication to social…
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7 October
Tampa General Hospital Earns Forbes Best-in-State Employer Honor for Fifth Consecutive Year
Tampa General Hospital (TGH) has once again been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best-in-State Employers for 2025—marking the fifth consecutive year the academic health system has earned this honor. prnewswire.com The honor reflects TGH’s strong team member engagement—ranking in the 92nd percentile—and its commitment to a people-first culture, with benefits, leadership practices, and support systems designed to prioritize employee well-being and professional growth. Read More: Tampa General Hospital Named One of America’s Best-in-State…
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7 October
Florida Leads Nation in Economic Impact from Clinical Trials
Florida has emerged as the top state in the U.S. for economic impact generated by clinical trials, according to a recent report. The state’s robust life sciences infrastructure, supportive policies, and concentration of medical research institutions help drive a thriving clinical trials ecosystem that attracts investment, fuels job growth, and enhances innovation in health care. This leadership position underscores Florida’s growing reputation as a national hub for medical research and development, offering strategic advantages to…
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7 October
Helios Technologies Earns 2025 Top Benefits Award from Mployer
Helios Technologies, a global leader in motion control and electronic systems, has been honored with the 2025 Top Benefits Award by Mployer—an accolade that distinguishes employers for outstanding employee benefit offerings. According to Mployer, the award is based on a rigorous evaluation across four key categories: medical coverage, ancillary benefits (such as dental, vision, and life), paid time off and leave policies, and retirement plans. Helios competes against peers in similar industries, regions, and sizes…
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7 October
Florida Blue Foundation Awards $3 Million to Boost Food Security and Fight Chronic Illness
Florida Blue Foundation has awarded $3 million in grants to eight nonprofit organizations across Florida to improve food security and combat chronic health conditions, particularly in underserved and rural communities. The initiative focuses on addressing social determinants of health by improving access to nutritious food, which plays a key role in preventing illnesses such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. The funded programs include a range of efforts, from mobile grocery stores to nutrition education…
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