Volume 276 | April 2026

 

Weekly E-Connection

801 West Bay Drive, Suite 602

Largo, Florida 33770

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


We're Better Together Edition

April 15, 2026

This week


We spotlight the many opportunities available to network and promote your business.


Also, a program we're introducing as a potential health and wellness benefit from you to your uninsured employees.

WOW, IT'S NEXT THURSDAY?!

Don't miss this popular BIZ/FAMILY OUTING

Tickets and Sponsorship Sales End Soon!

Purchase your tickets/marketing table here: Ballpark Bash

Welcome AMA Medical Group!

Chamber Ambassador Kris Belvis of Applied Innovation presents a Chamber member plaque to Antonio Souchet, Vice President of AMA Medical Group.


AMA Medical Group's mission is to provide a lifetime of caring with excellence using its God-given talents to all those it serves. It is committed to delivering high-quality health care that is supported–not only by its world-leading providers’ medical knowledge–but also on Christian beliefs and respect for the patient as an individual.

It's located at 1280 Missouri Avenue N in Largo. For more information, visit https://amamedicalgroup.com/

A new employee benefit to consider

OUR ONLY ANNUAL BIZ TO BIZ TO CONSUMER TRADE SHOW!

Here's the link to become a Passport Partner or to reserve your Expo space today! SPRINGTIME EXPO

Join us!


Register Here:

IQ FIBER RC


Do you have a grand opening or major anniversary to celebrate? We want to help share your success. The Chamber will provide you with the large scissors, ribbon, and Chamber members. Membership required plus $150. Reach out to Tom@CentralChamber.bizI

The polls are officially open for the 2026 Best of St. Pete-Clearwater Awards.


Residents and visitors are invited to cast their virtual ballots and select their favorites from a record-breaking list of 337 nominees from a total of 38 different categories, including destination staples such as Best Beach, Best Festival, Best Water Adventure and more. Voting is live at VisitSPC.com/BestOf.


This year’s categories and nominees reflect the ever-evolving St. Pete-Clearwater destination, featuring four sections: Best Places to Stay & Play, Best Things To-Do, Best Bites, and Best Sips. New categories include Best Dog-Centric Hangout, Best Happy Hour, Best Late-Night Spot, Best Local Beer, Best Pizza, Best Sports Bar, and Best Tour. Voters are permitted to submit one ballot per day, per device. The digital polls will remain open through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 10.

Email me your Chamber story! Tom@CentralChamber.biz

Proposal could bring paid leave for Florida private and public workers - It’s no secret Florida families are facing rising costs. That makes it increasingly more difficult for caregivers and new parents to take time off from work. While some state workers get paid time off when they have or adopt a child, a group is promoting a statewide paid family leave program for both public and private employees. Alexis Tsoukalas, senior policy analyst for the Florida Policy Institute, authored a recent report recommending, at a minimum, 12 weeks of paid leave for mothers recovering from childbirth, and eight weeks for other workers, like fathers as well as foster and adoptive parents. More from WUSF.


‘Crown jewel’ of Florida Everglades restoration planned to be done 5 years early -The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Monday that they will accelerate the plan for completing the reservoir known as the “crown jewel” of Everglades restoration. The new plan moves the projected completion of the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir up by five years, from 2034 to 2029. “We’ve taken on one of the most ambitious ecosystem restoration projects in the world, and we’ve agreed to do it faster,” said Gen. Jason Kelly, of the Army Corps. More from the Tampa Bay Times.


Blue Origin plans new Space Coast projects - Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin is expanding its Brevard County footprint with plans for a new launch tower and industrial facility while preparing for multiple New Glenn launches this year, including a potential liftoff in April. The filings include plans for a 500-foot Launch Umbilical Tower for the New Glenn rocket and a 600-foot lightning protection system at Space Launch Complex 36 in Cape Canaveral, according to a Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration. More from the Orlando Business Journal.


Palm Beach County rejects Boynton Beach annexation bid - Apparently, the annexation truce between Boynton Beach and Palm Beach County is over. At issue was Boynton Beach's effort to annex the 15 homes without holding a vote to determine whether the residents there want to become part of the city. Fourteen of the homeowners wrote letters to the commission opposing the annexation. More from the Palm Beach Post.


Beloved coffee chain Tim Hortons returns to Florida near Sarasota - Tim Hortons, the beloved Canadian coffee and doughnut chain that briefly had a Florida presence in the 1980s before quietly closing its shops in the early 1990s, is back. And this time it has landed in the Sarasota-Manatee region first. For the first time in more than 30 years, Floridians can order a double-double and a box of Timbits without crossing the Georgia state line. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

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

Bay Care/Morton Plant Hospital

Business & Family Insurors

Cloud Law Firm PA

Duke Energy

Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital

Florida Blue

HCA Florida Largo Hospital

Jackson & Associates CPA

Melody Hunter Homes

National Aviation Academy

Pinellas County Housing Authority

Piper Fire Protection

Platinum Information Services

Regions Bank

State Farm - Team Cocco

The Palms of Largo

Tommy's Express Car Wash

Valley National Bank

Visit St. Pete/Clearwater

Vitas Healthcare

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

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