Volume 63 l March 2022
 
Weekly eConnection
801 West Bay Drive, Suite 602 Largo, FL 33770
Tel: 727-584-2321 Fax: 727-586-3112
"Be Seen" Edition & Members' Promotions
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In Memoriam…
Former Largo Mayor Bob Jackson 4/17/1933-2/20/2022
Robert E. “Bob” Jackson, 88, a nine-term Largo city commissioner,
two-term mayor, and educator, died Feb. 20 at his home.
 
Bob took great pride in serving the community of Largo. He was a city commissioner 1974 until elected mayor in 2000. He took pride in his involvement with the creation of Largo Central Park and the Largo Public Library.
 
He also enjoyed 29 years as an educator in Pinellas County Schools, 17 of those years as principal of schools including Clearwater Exceptional Student Center, Paul B. Stephens School, Osceola Middle School and retiring from Southside Fundamental in 1997.
 
Bob is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lucille; four children Robert E. Jackson, Jr. (Sally), Francine Harvey (Bob), James M. Jackson, and Christine Fava (John); and 7 grandchildren. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Bob’s memory.
2022-23 Business & Community Go-to-Guide
Email Zoe at membership@centralchamber.biz to reserve your ad today!
Email Zoe at membership@centralchamber.biz to reserve your ad or click on the image above to download the form.
Excel Workshop at Pinellas Technical College
Our SMART! Education Series, in conjunction with Pinellas Technical College, ended last week with an awesome Intermediate Level Excel Workshop! Our instructor, Katie Rodgers, is seen here teaching the class about functions and data sorting. We had some great feedback about both the Basic and Intermediate levels. If you have any suggestions about future workshops please emails us at membership@centralchamber.biz or call us at 727-584-2321.
Spectrum Reach - Free Resources
Some Tax Assistance:
“Hearing All Voices” Small Business Workshop
and Listening Session - Gulf Coast Area
Wednesday, March 16, 2022, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Hear directly from IRS Executives on topics to help small businesses succeed.
Presentations will include:
  • How to Avoid Common Tax Problems and Tax Scams
  • The Examination Process and Payment Options
  • Employment Taxes; Employee vs. Independent Contractor
  • How IRS is Improving its Services to Small Business Owners
Following the presentations, a Listening Session will be held for participants to voice their questions and concerns. 
When: March 16, 2022, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern
Where: In the convenience of your home or office via Zoom
The event is FREE.  To Register, click HERE
You should receive a confirmation email from Zoom after completing registration.
PTC Student of the Month
Our next Education Fund Scholarship is presented to Vanessa Oquendo! Vanessa was chosen as Student of the Month at the Pinellas Technical College. She is enrolled in the Interior Decorating Services program with a focus on Biophilic Design. This type of design incorporates nature into interiors, which helps to effectively improve people's mental health and well-being. This is something Vanessa is really passionate about! Once she completes the program, she plans to open her own interior design business. Congratulations Vanessa!
The companies keep coming to Florida, regardless, or possibly because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new burst of inflation, and now, a globe-jarring war in Eastern Europe.
Osceola County has become the fastest-growing county in Florida, reaching a population of 388,656. But with an economy rooted in hospitality, agriculture and residential construction, wages have remained low.
Drivers in Florida could get some relief at the pump through a one-month, $200 million gas tax break in October.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket boosted the company's latest batch of Starlink internet satellites to low-Earth orbit Wednesday, but not before launch engineers poked fun at Russia's recent comments on U.S. space vehicles.
The overnight success the area’s innovation sector has experienced has likely produced growth so rapid that it is outpacing the ability of policymakers to manage it.
Thank you to our Trustees and Newsletter Sponsors
Bay Care/Morton Plant Hospital
Business & Family Insurors
Cloud Law Firm PA
Duke Energy
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital
Home Instead/Be a Santa
Jackson & Associates CPA
Melody Hunter, Charles Rutenberg Realty
National Aviation Academy
Nova Southeastern University - Tampa Bay
Piper Fire Protection
Platinum Information Services
Regions Bank
Spectrum Reach
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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