E-Connection - Hello November Edition -- November 5, 2025

Volume 253 | November 2025

Weekly E-Connection

801 West Bay Drive, Suite 602

Largo, Florida 33770

Tel: 727-584-2321 www.CentralChamber.biz

Hello November Edition

November 5, 2025

Leadership Class of 2027

Chamber Directors Working for You!

The Chamber Board of Directors held its first meeting of our new program year last week with a full agenda of initiatives to tackle, most notably the “CHAMBER 2028 Task Force.” This three-pillar, two-year initiative will address the evolving challenges and opportunities facing the organization.

Seated, from left, Laurie Bunce/Centratel, Mia Cloud/Cloud Law Firm, Melody Hunter/Melody Hunter Homes and Karen Gonzalez/Business & Family Insurors.

Standing, from left, Nate Cocco/Team Cocco State Farm, Chamber President Tom Morrissette, Jennifer Kraschinsky/Pinellas County Housing Authority, Ann Wheeler/Tommy's Express Car Wash, Gamal Megherfi/First Citizens Banks, Carrie Orozco/Serenity Funeral Home, Joe Pilliod/GarrisonPro, Danielle Noble/McManus & McManus, PA, Gail Holden/Office Services 101 and Jake Prokop/Pinellas Technical College.

Missing, Christine Cook/Regions Bank, Melissa Faint/Piper Fire Protection, Danny Lehan/Village Inn, Kay McKenzie/Check Before Hire, Pam Van Sant/National Aviation Academy and Nolan Willoughby/Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Largo.

Please thank these folks for their service the next you seem them at a program or event.

It'll be here before you know it! Always a sell-out!
Sponsorships and reservations now open

Get sponsorships and reservations here:HOLIDAY LUNCHEON

Mysterious worlds uncovered!

EscapeFLA celebrates ribbon-cutting

A crowd of well wishers cheer on Lauren Stockard as she cuts the ribbon celebrating her familys new ownership of EscapeFLA.

Located at 2480 East Bay Drive in Largo, EscapeFLA is an interactice game experience. Teams enter one of three puzzle rooms and must explore the surroundings and use logic and teamwork to find a way out. Learn more about them here: EscapeFLA.com

If you have a special business occasion to celebrate consider adding a Chamber ribbon-cutting. Cost is $150. Email tom@CentralChamber.biz for a copy of the guidelines.

PLACE RESERVATIONS HERE: COFFEE AN' HOLIDAY

Welcome Appliance of Pinellas

Lance Miller of Appliance of Pinellas shows off the membership plaque he recieved upon recently joining the Chamber. The business services luxury appliances found in some of the most exclusive homes across the county.

Whether you own a Sub-Zero refrigerator, a Wolf oven, or a Miele dishwasher, Lance and his factory-trained technicians bring professionalism, precision, and reliability to every appointment. To learn more visit: Applicance of Pinellas

Donation Requests Adorn Chamber Giving Tree

You can help make the upcoming holidays memorable for an aging adult in our community.

This year, our ChamberCARES! selected charity is "Be A Santa to A Senior." Taking part is easy!

Stop by our office during business hours and choose a gift request tag from our Giving Tree. Purchase the gift and return to us by December 9.

Be A Santa team members will then distribute the gifts helping these seniors in need have a bright holiday season.

A real deal! More than 1,000 business subscribers!

$50 One Friday - $100 Four Fridays - Member Non-Profits 50% discount Email Tom@CentralChamber.biz or call 727-584-2321

Rising pessimism marks another drop in Florida consumer sentiment in October - Consumer sentiment in Florida declined for the fourth consecutive month in October, falling one point to 78.3 from a revised September reading of 79.3. Similarly, national sentiment declined 1.5 points.

How corporate landlords impact Florida's housing market - Private equity firms now own over 17% of all apartments in the state. Big ownership can come with some upsides, like lower deposits, quicker move-in dates, and nicer amenities, but it can also come with some major drawbacks.

Opinion: The Florida Everglades remain an economic powerhouse. Restoration is worth it. - The Everglades Foundation has identified an eye-popping 84,000 businesses in the 16-county Everglades watershed that are wholly or in large part dependent upon clean water and a healthy Everglades system for their very existence.

Fall crops play key role in Florida AG’s $7.8B in annual cash receipts

From citrus and strawberries to avocados and specialty vegetables, Florida’s fall produce season showcases resilience and innovation as growers meet consumer demands.

U.S. court says Florida can ban Chinese citizens from buying property -A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday cleared the way for Florida to enforce a law restricting real estate and land purchases by Chinese citizens, rejecting claims it violates federal law and discriminates against Asians.

Thank you to our Board of Trustees and E-Connection Sponsors

To learn more about becoming a Trustee, contact Tom@CentralChamber.biz