Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce
(Est. 1925)
~ 95th Year of Serving All Charlotte County ~
Punta Gorda ~ Port Charlotte ~ Englewood ~ Charlotte Harbor ~ Murdock
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BUSINESS ONLINE
~~~ Monday, September 28, 2020 ~~~
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- Chamber Updates
- Sustaining Partners
- Welcome New Members
- Chamber Member News
- Job Spot
- Resources
- Just For Fun
- Contact information
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Social Distancing and Safety Protocol Statement
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CHARLOTTE CARES FOR BUSINESS RECOVERY GRANT PROGRAM
STAGE THREE OPENS AT 8:00AM ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1ST, 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the Charlotte County business community to confront immense challenges. As a result, on July 14, 2020 the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners approved the Recovery Grant Program to accelerate and assist the reopening efforts of businesses hardest hit by COVID-19.
This year Charlotte County was assigned $32.9 million from the federal CARES Act approved by Congress. Twenty percent (20%) of those funds, $6,580,000, will be given to qualified Charlotte County businesses by electronic application through the Recovery Grant Program.
The criteria has changed for this stage, so for more information please go to:
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We look forward to seeing everyone Friday!
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Please thank our 2019-2020 Sustaining Partners-
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The new chamber year begins on October 1 and all members are invited to become a 2020-2021 Sustaining Partner. Support your chamber and enjoy the perks!
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American Legion Post 0110
3152 Harbor Boulevard
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
Phone: 941-629-7446; Fax: 941-255-5472
Jock Albert
www.alpost110.org
Dreher Martin CPAs PA
207 Cross Street, Unit 208
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
941-347-9825
Doug Dreher
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Dream Salon & Spa, LLC
117 Herald Ct., Unit 115
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
941-621-8311
Wendy Otero
Suncoast Web Pros
158 Morgan Lane SE
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
941-447-4685
Doug Heavener
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Chamber Member News
Buffalo Graffix is here for all your printing and design needs! There is no better time than now…get 10% off any promotional product order from now until 9/30/2020. From PPE to pens or mugs, we’ve got you covered! Contact us today at 941-625-2833 or [email protected] to see what we can do for you!
The 1% percent local option sales tax has funded more than 120 projects over the past 26 years that enhance our quality of life. The current local option sales tax expires this year, but on Nov. 3, voters will decide whether or not to extend it for six years to fund additional projects. To learn more, visit www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov and click 1% Local Option Sales Tax banner. To schedule a presentation for your group or organization, call Brian Gleason at 941-743-1462.
The 2020 Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Shop With A Cop is coming soon! This event, funded entirely through community support and donations, provides 10 students from each elementary school in Charlotte County with a $100 gift card to do Christmas shopping for their families. CCSO partners with local Walmart stores, CCPS, and several other agencies to provide this impactful event annually. Please contact Chris Hall, Community Affairs Specialist, (575-5227) to help make a difference in a child’s life.
The Children’s Network of SWFL is in need of caring volunteers in Charlotte County. If you have a desire to help struggling families, please visit our website, click on the Family Mentor Program tab for details and application www.childnetswfl.org. All they need is Love ~ Foster, Adopt, Mentor!
On November 1st we’ll “fall back” one hour, and increase the time we spend driving in the dark. Are your headlights cloudy? It happens as a result of bugs, sand, and rain marring the lights’ surface. Your night visibility then shrinks, sometimes to dangerous levels. Complete Auto Repair has a unique coating process that will restore the clarity of your cloudy headlights in just an hour. Call us at 941-623-2926 to make an appointment to improve your night vision!
Curry Moving & Storage, Inc. remains open for business, but is closed to public access at this time. You may reach us by phone; 941-625-4191 or by email; [email protected]. We have mini-warehouses for rent with the best price in town. In light of the challenge we are all facing, Curry Moving & Storage is taking several hygienic precautions to keep our customers and employees safe. We are currently offering all first responders one month free mini-warehouse space or lot space. Remember, He is the light in the darkness!
Dancing Moon Travel: At 1 p.m. Tuesday, Pat and Kevin discuss the many benefits of group travel. These can run the gamut from informal friends and family and girlfriend get-aways to complex multi-event seminars at sea. Nothing compares with the fun factor of taking your group aboard a fabulous contemporary cruise ship! Family, church, reunion, fraternal and corporate groups are all perfect for our customized events ... group leaders frequently sail for free and can generate significant revenue for themselves or an organization! https://tinyurl.com/y29o7z75
We’ve built a better BOGO at Eye Centers of Florida! Enjoy 30 percent off all additional pairs of eyewear with purchase of first pair. Perfect for a spare pair, sunglasses, readers, and blue light blocking computer glasses. To learn more and to view all optical and Aesthetic Center specials, visit https://www.ecof.com/resources/coupons/. Most insurance and vision plans accepted. Walk-ins and outside prescriptions welcome! Call 888.EYE.APPT (888-393-2778) for an appointment. The Port Charlotte office is located on Hwy 41 in front of Lowe’s. For all SWFL locations, visit https://www.ecof.com/locations/.
Connect with an experienced financial professional who understands how to ask the right questions. Do you have adequate financial resources to provide for a confident retirement? Do you understand your portfolio? Do you have adequate insurance to protect your family’s financial plan? Are you paying hidden fees? Call Rebekah Fero at 941-625-5811 to schedule a complimentary second opinion. (Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through IFG Advisory, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, IFG Advisory and LPL Financial are separate entities.)
Now available for reservations! The Suites at Fishermen's Village, your stay and play destination on Charlotte Harbor! Perfect “Staycation” getaway! Call 941-639-8721 for rate/booking info or visit on line at www.fishville.com/resort. Suites are 1,000 sq. feet, sleep up to four, located on the 2nd level above Fishermen’s Village shops, boutiques and restaurants.
At Friendly Floors, we want you to love your floors for a long time. That’s why our team listens carefully to your needs, and recommends the best options. Call us to learn more about the new “Waterproof Hardwood” floor. Yes, there is such a thing as waterproof hardwood now, and waterproof laminate too. We’ve watched videos of tractors driving over metal hardware, and these floors are unharmed, so they should be strong enough for your family! Come see all our waterproof hardwood options at our showroom at 3785 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte.
Moving out of state or across town offer the same challenges - packing and crating on both ends. Long distance moves offer extra challenges for you and your entire family. You must adjust to everything new, and that takes tremendous energy. Save some of that energy to put into your new life and reduce your stress. All moves are stressful, but the logistics do not have to be. Call Kenny at Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage at 941-423- 5311.
Your initial consultation with Guerzo Business Consulting, LLC, is free. Why? Not because it gives us an opening to sell our services. Rather, we are determining whether we have the skills and resources to address your issues. We also make sure there is a personal compatibility, so you enjoy the process of taking your business to the next level. If Patti Guerzo does not have the skills, connections, or personality to help you, she will help you find someone who does. Call Patti for your free consultation, 312-420-0884, [email protected].
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gulfcoast South AHEC is now providing free Group Quit tobacco cessation programs virtually! Programs are led by Tobacco Cessation Specialists who are trained to provide evidence-based tobacco cessation education and resources. As part of Tobacco Free Florida, all Group Quit services, including nicotine replacement therapy, are FREE. Pre-registration is required. Call 866-534-7909 to register. You will be emailed a link to join by ZOOM conference via video or audio.
Harbor Inspection Services is offering a 30 day special of 10% off Residential home inspections including wind mitigation and 4 point inspections for seniors 65+, teachers, medically licensed personnel, law enforcement, veterans/military. Proper ID required. Please contact Lib Astafan via phone or email for more information and pricing. Offer ends 10/11/2020. Lib Astafan, Owner/Inspector, Harbor Inspection Services LLC, Certified Professional Inspector; FL Home Inspector Lic. HI12433; InterNACHI # 19060317; Bus. Mobile 941-740-4546; [email protected]; www.harborhomeinspections.com
The 9th Annual “Driving Out Hunger” Fall Golf Scramble event to benefit The Homeless Coalition will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at the Riverwood Golf Club located at 4100 Riverwood Drive in Port Charlotte. Check-in is at 7:30 a.m. and shotgun is at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $95 and includes: 25 chance auction tickets, 2 drink tickets, a continental breakfast, a southern-style barbeque lunch and mulligans for your team. Please contact Darcy Woods at 941- 627-4313, Ext. 134 or email [email protected] to reserve a spot.
Have your creditors stopped working with you during COVID-19? Are you worried about a possible foreclosure? Are you confused about your options and the CARES Act? Is debt consolidation, debt negotiation or bankruptcy best for you? To get answers to all your questions, contact Mark Martella, Esq. of Icard Merrill at 941-206-3700 or [email protected] to schedule a confidential, complimentary one hour, no obligation consultation to come up with a plan to eliminate your debt and enjoy a stress free, debt free life.
The pandemic has changed almost everyone’s 2020 plans. Did you know that 23 percent of consumers have added to their credit-card debt during the pandemic? Household debt in the US is $14.27 trillion as of June 30th. Debt management is one of the key success habits, and Independent Financial Coaching specializes in helping clients keep their levels healthy. Call Sue Craig at 941-916-5324 for a confidential discussion of your options.
Maaco, in Port Charlotte, is a full-service collision center and auto painting business. Our most economical complete paint job can cost as little as $499, excluding body work or any special preparation needed prior to paint. We offer free estimates and can perform repairs covered by any insurance company. The owners, Jim and Susan McCulla, will personally meet with you and prepare your estimate. We're located at 4356 Tamiami Trail and our phone number is 941-391-6196. Come on in for your "Maaco-over" and love the car you drive again.
A recent trend in employment screening is that more and more companies are doing background checks on contractors, temp employees provided by staffing agencies, freelancers, and gig workers. Pre-pandemic estimates are that up to 40 percent of the workforce may be contractors or gig workers ... and companies are liable for the bad behavior (sexual harrassment, criminal acts, etc.) of contractors, temp employees, and gig workers just as they are for their direct employees. Check them all! Contact Doris Hebert-Ferrigno at NRG Background Checks. Call: 941-488-8500; Toll-Free: 800-531-6522; Fax: 941-488-8505; Email: [email protected]
Premier Photographic Events introduces its newest photographic service - Video Slideshows. Share your business services, special events, real estate listings, or special products with a video slideshow. Perfect for websites and social media. Video marketing remains the best performing digital content type, driving more views, more engagement, and more response than any other social posting option. Premier Photographic Events can produce a video slideshow easily and affordably. For a free quote call Steve Lineberry, email prem[email protected] or call 941-626-0551 Click here for a recent video slide show for The Homeless Coalition.
Home buying couldn’t be easier. With new programs available, Toby Lynn can find the right fit for a friend or co-worker. Conventional, FHA/VA, primary residences, secondary homes, investment properties, or construction loans, Toby can help. Pre-qualify at no cost, zero, FREE! Specializing in happy, smooth, and on-time closings! Call today! Toby Lynn, Branch Manager, The Mortgage Firm, 941-356-6579 – www.ThePerfectMortgageSolution.com
Tidewell announces Blue Butterfly expanded to Charlotte County! Blue Butterfly Family Grief Center, a Tidewell Hospice program, helps grieving children and teens, ages 5-18, through peer-support groups and activities. Families may enroll regardless of when the death occurred and regardless of if there was a previous relationship with Tidewell. Group open to children and caregivers who’ve had a death of a special person. Enrollment required by calling 941-893-6610. Meetings are once a month, 5:30-7:30 p.m., First Alliance Church, 20444 Midway Blvd., Port Charlotte. Program 100% donor funded, no charge to participants.
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The Twisted Fork needs an EXPERIENCED (meaning you've done this job before) front-of-house service manager ... or two. Click on the link below to apply today. Come join our team at SW Florida's hottest new restaurant! 2208 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte, FL 33948.
Charlotte County Public Schools is currently hiring qualified applicants for various instructional and support positions. Review our open positions at https://charlotteschools.ted.peopleadmin.com/hire/index.aspx. High need positions are bus drivers, food service assistants, and substitute teachers. CCPS offers competitive wages and comprehensive health and retirement benefits. For our bus driver positions, we offer all of the necessary CDL training and wages start at $14.82/hour. Substitutes teachers start at $15/hour. Charlotte County Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer.
Career Source of Southwest Florida online resources include available jobs
Your "Help Wanted" information could be here! Please submit 90 words or less to [email protected].
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Resources
LOCAL-
Please call 2-1-1 for any resource needs.
STATE AND FEDERAL-
Florida Chamber of Commerce- www.floridachamber.com/coronavirus
Small Business Administration- www.sba.gov/disaster
Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association- https://frla.org/covid-19/
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Just for Fun
ADVERTISING TERM DEFINITIONS:
New - Different color from previous design.
All New - Parts are not interchangeable with previous design.
Exclusive - Imported product.
Unmatched - Almost as good as the competition.
Foolproof Operation - No provision for adjustments.
Advanced Design - The advertising agency doesn't understand it.
It's Here At Last - Rush job. Nobody knew it was coming.
Field Tested - Manufacturer lacks test equipment.
High Accuracy - Unit on which all parts fit.
Futuristic - No other reason why it looks the way it does.
Redesigned - Previous flaws fixed. We hope.
Direct Sales Only - Factory had a big argument with distributor.
Years of Development - We finally got one to work.
Breakthrough - We finally figured out a use for it.
Maintenance Free - Impossible to fix.
Meets All Standards - Ours, not yours.
Solid-State - Heavy as anything!
High Reliability - We made it work long enough to ship it.
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Do you have news or information about YOUR business? Send it to the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce and we'll share it with the entire membership. Email your submission to Teri Ashley at [email protected]. Please send 90 words or fewer, in paragraph form, by noon on Friday. Business Online is emailed weekly on Mondays, or Tuesday following a holiday. This is a free membership benefit! ( We do reserve the right to publish and edit any submissions.)
Teri Ashley, Executive Director
Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce
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2702 Tamiami Trail
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
941-627-2222
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Social Distancing and Health Safety Protocol Statement: The Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce requests that you kindly not attend events with a fever, any COVID-19 Symptoms, if anyone in your household has shown symptoms of COVID-19, or if you are included in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defined high-risk category for COVID-19. Additionally, while we know that most are accustomed to handshakes, fist-bumps, and hugs, we ask that you refrain during this time and follow all recommended health safety protocols. Social distancing is required by anyone attending chamber events and it is recommended that face masks be worn to lessen the possible transmission of COVID-19 to others. By attending Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce events, all attendees acknowledge and assume the risk that COVID-19 is contagious and exposure may occur. :
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