Florida Chamber Member News
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Feb- 2026 -6 February
Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas Appoint New Board Member to Strengthen Leadership
Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas have appointed Syd Kitson to their Boards of Directors, bringing extensive leadership experience and a commitment to sustainable community development to both companies. The appointment, announced by Board Chair Scott Balfour, is effective as of February 4, 2026. Kitson serves as chairman and CEO of Kitson & Partners, a Palm Beach Gardens-based real estate firm known for creating innovative and resilient communities, including Babcock Ranch, the nation’s first solar-powered town…
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6 February
HCA Florida Brandon Hospital and ECHO of Brandon Strengthen Community Support with Volunteer Effort and AED Donation
Leaders from HCA Florida Brandon Hospital recently partnered with local nonprofit ECHO of Brandon to support community health and emergency preparedness through volunteer service and lifesaving equipment donations. As part of the visit to ECHO of Brandon—an organization that provides emergency food, clothing, and resources to local residents in need—the hospital’s leadership team delivered nearly 1,000 pounds of rice and beans to help stock the nonprofit’s food pantry. They also assisted with portioning and bagging…
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6 February
Local Outreach Efforts Mobilize to Protect Miami-Dade’s Homeless Ahead of Dangerous Cold Snap
As South Florida braces for an unusually significant drop in temperatures, local homeless outreach workers, shelters, and community organizations have rallied to ensure residents without permanent housing are aware of resources and opportunities to stay safe and warm. Temperatures across Miami-Dade were forecast to plunge into the 30s and potentially break local low-temperature records, with wind chills making conditions even more perilous. Outreach teams have taken to the streets to personally engage with individuals experiencing…
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6 February
Second Harvest of the Big Bend Awarded $400,000 to Expand Mobile Food Market in Rural North Florida
Second Harvest of the Big Bend has received a $400,000 grant from the Florida Blue Foundation to support the expansion of its FARMacy Program, a mobile grocery market designed to improve food access across rural and underserved communities in North Florida. The multi-year investment will help Second Harvest bring fresh groceries directly to neighborhoods across 15 counties, addressing persistent barriers to healthy food access in areas without nearby grocery stores. The Florida Blue Foundation’s support…
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6 February
City Furniture’s “Panthers on the Prowl” Fundraiser Nears $1 Million, Driving Continued Impact
City Furniture has announced that its “Panthers on the Prowl” fundraising initiative has now raised nearly $1 million for the American Cancer Society, highlighting the company’s ongoing commitment to community support and philanthropy. Through this creative campaign, more than 20 life-sized panther sculptures were purchased and transformed into one-of-a-kind works of art by their owners. The project has drawn widespread support from community members and notable contributors, with several of the customized panthers now being generously…
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4 February
Tallahassee State College Leaders Named Finalists for National Awards of Excellence
Tallahassee State College has announced that two of its senior leaders have been named finalists in the 2026 American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Awards of Excellence, a national program that recognizes leadership, innovation, and impact across community colleges nationwide. Dr. Jim Murdaugh, president of Tallahassee State College, has been selected as a finalist for CEO of the Year, placing him among only five community college leaders across the country to receive this distinction. The…
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4 February
Florida Poly’s Data Science Program Ranks Top 10 Nationwide
Florida Polytechnic University’s undergraduate data science degree program has been ranked No. 9 in the nation for 2026 by TechGuide.org, placing it among elite institutions such as Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Duke University. The ranking, released as part of TechGuide’s Best Campus Bachelor’s in Data Science Programs for 2026, places Florida Poly ahead of programs at several nationally recognized universities, including Caltech, Penn State, Northwestern, and Yale. The recognition highlights…
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2 February
JEA Hosts Senior Resource Day with Free Vaccines and Bill Assistance
JEA is holding a senior-focused community event on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at its headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida to provide important health and financial resources for older adults. With flu rates on the rise, JEA is partnering with the Duval County Health Department to offer free flu and shingles vaccinations to help protect seniors against common and potentially serious illnesses. In addition to immunizations, the event brings together several community partners — including the City…
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Jan- 2026 -30 January
MSC Group Opens New North American Cruise Division Headquarters in Miami, Reinforcing Long-Term Regional Commitment
MSC Group’s Cruise Division has officially opened its new North American headquarters in downtown Miami, marking a major milestone in the company’s expansion across the region. The 130,000-square-foot state-of-the-art office at Block 55 at Sawyer’s Walk brings together more than 400 team members from across MSC Group entities under one roof and represents a $100 million investment in Miami. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, City of Miami Mayor…
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30 January
Florida Poly Secures Nearly $3 Million Federal Funding for AI and Cybersecurity Lab
Florida Polytechnic University is expanding its leadership in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence education with $2.9 million in federal funding to establish the Public Service Applied Innovation Laboratory (PSAIL). The funding will support a next-generation, student-driven facility designed to advance hands-on cybersecurity operations and applied AI solutions. The investment was championed by Congressman Scott Franklin, representing Florida’s 18th Congressional District. “Florida Poly’s continued growth and excellence have made it a key innovation hub,” Franklin said. “I…
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