Florida Chamber Member News
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Jan- 2026 -9 January
Central Florida Partners Launch “Holiday Bus” to Deliver Meals to Families During Winter Break
As winter break disrupts reliable access to school meals for many children, the “Holiday Bus” Drive Out Hunger initiative is stepping in to support the 1 in 6 Central Florida children facing food insecurity. Throughout December, the Holiday Bus will distribute nutritious, shelf-stable meals across Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties to help families bridge the gap during the holidays. This collaborative effort — led by AdventHealth Central Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank, the Orlando Magic,…
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9 January
Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Carol Craig to the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — December 9, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Carol Craig to the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners. Carol Craig Craig is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sidus Space and Craig Technologies. She is a veteran of the United States Navy, serving as a Naval Flight Officer over her military career. Active in her community, Craig serves as a member of the National Defense Industrial Association and the Florida Institute…
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9 January
Littles from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County Treated to Holiday Shopping Spree at Macy’s at Coral Square
Coral Springs, Fla. (December 17, 2025) — Littles from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County were treated to holiday gift shopping at Macy’s at Coral Square in Coral Springs. The morning began with breakfast in the store, followed by a special shopping experience using a gift card made possible by the organization’s holiday fundraising campaign, Share the Season. About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County For more than 50 years, Big Brothers…
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9 January
North Florida Universities Enter Major Growth Phase as Hundreds of Millions Flow Into New Campuses and Facilities
North Florida’s higher education sector experienced a transformative year marked by large-scale capital investments, new academic projects, and significant leadership transitions. Jacksonville University broke ground on the city’s first four-year medical school, a 72,000-square-foot facility expected to deliver a $60 million economic impact, while the University of Florida advanced plans for its long-anticipated $287.5 million LaVilla urban campus, which will anchor downtown redevelopment and expand UF’s research footprint into Jacksonville. At the same time, the…
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9 January
Rick Case Bikes for Kids Makes Holidays “Wheely” Bright
The Rick Case Volkswagen showroom in Weston was filled with bikes that were presented to members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, many receiving their very first bike. “These boys and girls are so happy and excited to have a bike, and that is what the holiday season is about,” said Case. “The generosity of our customers, friends and neighbors in donating these bikes is extraordinary. We all remember our first…
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9 January
V&E Hospitality Group CEO Shares Strategy Behind Scaling a 30-Venue Portfolio
In a recent episode of the Florida Business Minds podcast, V&E Hospitality Group CEO and co-owner Matias Pesce offered an in-depth look at how the Miami-based company has grown into one of South Florida’s most influential multi-brand hospitality groups, now operating nearly 30 venues. Pesce emphasized that sustainable expansion comes from selectivity, not aggressive growth, and discussed how his team evaluates which concepts are suited for scaling while keeping brand integrity and guest experience at…
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9 January
U.S. Sugar Expands Glades Community Investment with Focus on Youth Mental Health and Literacy
“U.S. Sugar boosts Glades investment with focus on youth mental health, family literacy” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — U.S. Sugar is putting new dollars behind mental health and literacy efforts in the Glades, announcing a roughly $105,000 investment aimed at strengthening families and addressing long-standing educational and social challenges in the rural region. U.S. Sugar is partnering with the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin counties on two initiatives focused on adolescent…
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Dec- 2025 -17 December
Florida Poly Earns Top State and National Rankings in Computer Science and Data Science
LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University’s undergraduate computer science and data science programs are among the best in the state and the nation, according to new rankings from Research.com, an online higher education resource. The University’s computer science program ranked No. 1 in Florida among public universities, while its data science program ranked among the nation’s Top 20 for all public and private universities. “These rankings underscore the high quality of our programs, as well as the talent and…
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2 December
Florida’s Public Colleges Generate $56.7 B in Economic Impact, Fueling Jobs and Opportunity
A new report reveals that Florida’s 28 public colleges contributed a staggering $56.7 billion to the state’s economy in fiscal year 2023–24, supporting roughly 640,000 jobs — or about one in every 24 positions statewide. This impact includes income generated by college operations, student and alumni spending, construction activity, and the enhanced earnings of graduates who enter the workforce. By serving over 650,000 students annually and offering accessible, affordable pathways to credentials and degrees, these…
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2 December
West Marine Names Paulee Day as CEO
Paulee Day has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of West Marine, effective immediately, marking the first time a woman has led the marine-retail company in its history. A lifelong boater with deep industry experience, Day previously served as Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary earlier in 2025. Before joining West Marine in 2022 — initially as Chief Legal and Human Resources Officer — she spent 15 years in senior leadership at another major marine-industry firm.…
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