News

2022 Florida Learners to Earners Solution Summit Unites Business Leaders Around Preparing Florida’s Future Workforce

In order to compete on a global stage, Florida’s economy must continue its forward momentum and not only create 1.62 million net new jobs by 2030, but ensure its future workforce is prepared to fill these positions – today’s learners are tomorrow’s earners. At the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2022 Florida Learners to Earners Workforce Solution Summit, we will be exploring the unique opportunity Florida’s business community has to grow Florida from the 15th largest to…

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Small Business Spotlight: Tim Delay, JAX LNG

What does your business do? JAX LNG went into service in 2018 and is a small-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility located on the St. John’s River in Jacksonville, FL. It employs about 15 people, with the benefits of being a small facility associated with a larger company. We currently have a liquefaction capacity of 120,000 gallons per day and on-site storage of two million gallons, though we have an expansion project nearing completion that…

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A Statement from Mark Wilson, Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO regarding the passage of SB 2D

“I applaud Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership in calling this special session to stand up for consumers and continue tackling the root causes driving up property insurance rates. As Governor DeSantis rightly pointed out in his proclamation, it is clear Florida has a litigation problem that is costing Florida ratepayers when they can least afford it. The necessary lawsuit abuse reforms the Governor forged consensus around and put forth by Senator Boyd and Representative Trumbull in…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Endorses CFO Jimmy Patronis for Chief Financial Officer

The Florida Chamber of Commerce announced today that it has endorsed Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis in his re-election bid to remain Florida’s Chief Financial Officer. “The Florida Chamber of Commerce endorses Jimmy Patronis to continue serving as Florida’s Chief Financial Officer. Jimmy fought side by side with the Florida Chamber of Commerce to help local businesses reopen quickly,” said Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson. “Through his leadership he helped champion…

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Florida Chamber Continues Delivering Against 6-year Strategic Plan, Adds Horsepower with Three New Hires

The Executive Team at the Florida Chamber continues to be focused and intentional about the work being done toward accomplishing the goals of our 6-year, $105 million strategic plan and the continued talent acquisition necessary to achieve our mission. With that in mind, today we are announcing the continued growth of the Florida Chamber enterprise with the addition of three team members who will bring insight, analysis, experience and additional horsepower to our already strong…

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Florida Trade & Logistics 2030 Study Sets the Course for Florida’s Continued Leadership in Trade, Logistics, Exported-Oriented Manufacturing Activities, and Rural Economic Growth

As global supply chains change, Florida can be the big winner. A brand-new research report indicates Florida has the available capacity to move more goods, make more goods, and multiply these impacts throughout the economy. Globally competitive trade, logistics, and manufacturing sectors will diversify Florida’s economy, bringing new jobs, income and investment into the state. Florida can propel its economy to one of the top 10 worldwide, and today, with the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida…

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Small Business Spotlight: Scott Zimmerman, AGPM – A Green Property Manager

Have a Conversation with Scott Zimmerman, President of AGPM – A Green Property Manager What does your business do? Multifamily Housing – We specialize in the acquisition of general partnership and investor limited partnership, mostly affordably apartment communities with some conventional communities consisting of approximately 6000 units. We also specialize in the acquisition of debt secured by distressed rental apartment communities. We previously served as SEC-registered investment advisors in real estate. What’s your biggest concern…

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OPINION: Florida must address ‘public nuisance’ claims

-This Article was Originally Published in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune- Lawful businesses engaging in lawful conduct may find that they are subject to substantial liability based on an expansion and perversion of the centuries-old legal doctrine of public nuisance. Prodded by personal injury trial lawyers, some state and local governments are misusing “public nuisance” to manage and increase budget revenues by seeking damages from businesses for injuries to others beyond the control of the businesses. In…

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New Florida Chamber Statewide Poll Shows Florida Voters Bullish on Florida, Pessimistic about America

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 31, 2022) – The latest Florida Chamber statewide poll shows likely Florida voters believe Florida is headed in the right direction, while at the same time a majority of voters, more than 6 out of 10, believe the country is on the wrong track. Voters in eight of Florida’s ten media markets believe Florida is headed in the right direction, with only two believing otherwise by a narrow margin: Miami-Fort Lauderdale (40:45) and…

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Small Business Spotlight: Barbara Wilson with Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad, LLC (FGA)

Have a Conversation with Barbara Wilson, President & CEO with Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad, LLC (FGA) What does your business do? FGA is a freight railroad based in Tallahassee with over 400 miles of track running between Baldwin in the east and Pensacola in the west. Our railroad parallels Interstate 10 and is critically important to serving industries that need to transport bulk materials. FGA moves about 30,000 railcars of freight each year, effectively…

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Her Story: Woman of 2030 – Susan Towler, Florida Blue

In this interview, Susan Towler, Executive Director of the Florida Blue Foundation and Chair of the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Board of Trustees, shares her experience as a female leader, Florida 2030 interests, words of wisdom for the next generation of female leaders and more.   Is there a female leader(s) that has inspired you in your professional career? If so, who and why? If I count the direct leaders I’ve worked under in my career, I’ve…

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Record Investment in Florida’s Future, Passage of Necessary Competitiveness Policies Paired with Challenges for Florida’s Businesses

Florida’s Legislative Session by the Numbers: 1,956 Bills and PCBs filed; 285 Bills passed both chambers Florida Chamber of Commerce testified 85 times on legislation impacting job creators Florida Chamber is analysing more than 3,000 votes cast by lawmakers and will soon release its Legislative Report Card $112B budget passed, which is the largest in state history TALLAHASSEE, FL (March 14, 2022) — The 2022 Florida legislative session saw passage of the largest budget in…

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Guest opinion: Future of Work Florida: Championing importance of work, value of skilled trades

Florida has a workforce crisis and it’s impacting Florida’s employers and job seekers in dramatic and negative ways, and yet it’s an opportunity business leaders should leverage. Pre-COVID, despite Florida creating 1 in every 11 new U.S. jobs (2015-2020), the number one concern among Florida’s job creators was the inability to find quality, and qualified, talent to fill open jobs. Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, and with 493,216 open jobs and only 466,000 unemployed…

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Understanding the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace | Opinion

What if I told you we knew one of the keys to fostering success within the business community across Florida? You’d jump at the opportunity to learn more, right? Since the launch of the Florida 2030 Blueprint, the Florida Chamber Foundation has been working to uncover just that, and throughout the course of our work, we have uncovered some game-changing insights. One in particular? Diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environments have a significant impact on…

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VISIT FLORIDA Extension Passes Legislature, Heads to Governor DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE, FL (March 8, 2022) — Moments ago, the Florida Senate passed legislation that extends the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, better known as VISIT FLORIDA, through 2028. Now headed to Governor Ron DeSantis for his approval, SB 434 will bring certainty to VISIT FLORIDA, allow them to plan long-term, and recruit and retain top talent. “Florida’s tourism industry is a key driver of the state’s $1.23 trillion economy, and VISIT FLORIDA is a natural…

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