Volume 305 - November 2026

 Weekly E-Connection

801 West Bay Drive, Suite 602

Largo, Florida 33770

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


Tom's Desk Edition

November 3, 2026

Looking Ahead...

A Time of Change and Opportunity

Last year, I informed our Board of Directors of my plans to retire in 2027, allowing time to prepare for the transition. At its meeting last week, I made it official: next August 31 will be my final day.


It will conclude more than 23 years with this organization and over 40 years in chamber of commerce and association management. It has been an extraordinary journey, and I am grateful for the friendships, accomplishments and opportunities to serve our business community.


As many know, our Chamber has initiated merger discussions with other organizations to explore creating a stronger, more unified business voice. Nationwide, chambers and associations are increasingly considering mergers in response to declining membership, changing expectations and operational challenges.


With our first changing of the guard in 23 years, the timing offers a unique opportunity to consider both new leadership and our Chamber's future. An integration team is in place and moving quickly to evaluate possibilities. I am not part of that team, allowing future leadership to independently shape the organization's direction. However, I will keep you apprised of significant developments as discussions progress.


Meanwhile, I remain fully committed to our Chamber and its members through August 31. There will be time for reflections and farewells later. For now, there is important work ahead and an exciting new chapter taking shape.


Thank you for your continued support and Chamber loyalty!

Tom Morrissette, President

Bogey's Tavern Celebrates Grand Opening

A ribbon-cutting and reception was held last week to mark the opening of Bogey's Tavern at 300 East Bay Drive, Largo. Owners Mike Dottavio and Pam Dufour welcomed guests and spoke of their excitement to be part of Largo's expanding restaurant scene.


Inspired by their roots in Massachusetts and New York, the menu features New England favorites, fresh seafood, classic American tavern fare, and cocktails made for lingering over good conversation. Visit this link for a complete menu and more: Bogey's Taven Largo


A special thanks to all our Chamber Directors and Ambassadors who took part!

Join us in celebrating Florida’s first oncology clinic with new FDA-approved Elektra EVO AI-Powered Adaptive Radiation Therapy


Friday, Nov. 13, 1:00 p.m.

Register Here: Open House


Celebrate your special business occasion (anniversary, expansion, new location, etc.) with a Chamber Ribbon-Cutting. This members-only service is $150 and includes invitations, pre and post event publicity and our giant scissors! Contact Tom at Tom@CentralChamber.biz or call the office at 727-584-2321.

Help support this annual tradition

Chamber Holiday Luncheon, December 15

Visit the following links to make this our best Holiday Luncheon ever!

Amazon Gift Registry: Luncheon Gifts

Luncheon Sponsorships: Luncheon Sponsors

Luncheon Reservations: Luncheon Seats

Your insight matters, and the deadline is approaching!


The Federal Reserve’s 2026 Small Business Credit Survey is now open, and we are a partner in the effort.


We need for-profit businesses to share recent experiences about what financial conditions you face, whether and how you use debt, and more.


Answers to these questions contribute to data that directly inform the Fed, federal government agencies, service providers, policymakers, and others—a public good ultimately benefiting your business and others like yours.

 

Take the survey now. [LINK] Closes November 13, 2026. 


Register Here: Coffee An' Holiday Edition

Be a Santa...

Chamber Giving Tree is back!


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


This year, our ChamberCARES! selected charity is again "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 11.


Chamber Office:

801 West Bay Drive, Suite 602 Largo, FL 33770

Chamber Hours: Mon-Thurs 9 to 4; Friday 9 to 2


Be A Santa team members will pick-up and distribute the gifts to help make it a brighter season for those in need.

What’s the latest in the year a hurricane has ever hit Florida?

As the Atlantic hurricane season enters its final month, the basin can still produce activity capable of threatening Florida. According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, only around a dozen tropical storms and hurricanes have impacted the state during the month of November over the course of 175 years – equating to a direct strike about once out of every 15 years. [Source: WMNF]


Jobless claims hold steady in Florida - The pace of first-time jobless claims in Florida dipped slightly over the past two weeks. The U.S. Department of Labor estimated 4,956 initial unemployment applications were filed in Florida last week, down from a revised count of 5,041 the week ending Oct. 17. Since the start of August, Florida has steadily averaged fewer than 5,400 new claims a week. [Source: News Service of Florida]


Data centers, power bills, hurricanes: What’s at stake for the environment in Tuesday's election - When asked to choose, Florida’s likely voters have picked protecting the environment over economic growth by more than 2 to 1, a margin that surprised even the pollster who asked the question. In a University of North Florida poll released last week, 61 percent of respondents said state and local officials should prioritize the environment “even at the risk of curbing economic growth.” Twenty-six percent chose growth. [Source: WUSF]


Florida citrus marketing generates $17.4 million in orange juice sales - As Florida's citrus harvest season begins, the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) is implementing marketing initiatives aimed at increasing demand for orange juice and fresh citrus. Through September, promotional activities generated $17.4 million in attributed orange juice sales, while more than 800 grapefruit demonstrations are planned at major U.S. retailers this winter. More from Fresh Plaza.


Gas drops by double digits to under $4 - “Motorists are finally seeing relief at the pump,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. The average price in Miami and Fort Lauderdale is 26 cents a gallon lower than a month ago but 94 cents higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy. North Florida is the cheapest to pump in Florida while the Keys and Palm Beach County are the most expensive areas to buy gas and still over $$ a gallon, according to AAA. More from the Miami Herald.


9 Florida companies make Fortune’s Best Workplaces for Women 2026 - Fortune released its Best Workplaces for Women 2026 list, and nine Florida companies made the cut. Only one company broke into the top 20: Brown & Brown, Inc. in Daytona Beach. Brown & Brown is a large insurance brokerage firm founded in 1939. It employs thousands of people at hundreds of locations across the country. Out of those surveyed, 88% said it’s a great place to work. [Source: WFLA]


Florida citrus growers applaud USDA plan to buy $20M in oranges, grapefruit

Florida citrus growers are applauding a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plan to buy millions of dollars’ worth of citrus as part of a larger federal food purchase. The USDA has announced it intends to buy up to $472.5 million in American-grown and American-raised agricultural products. The purchases, made through the Department’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), will be distributed to food banks and other nutrition assistance programs. [Source: Florida Politics]


An electric aircraft demonstration in Tampa offers a glimpse at possible future travel in Florida [WUSF] - On Jan. 1, 1914, pilot Tony Jannus flew a Benoist airboat from St. Petersburg to Tampa, carrying former St. Petersburg Mayor Abe Pheil. The trip is recognized as the world’s first scheduled commercial airline flight. More than a century later, two electric air taxis made similar trips Friday, offering a glimpse of what getting across the bay and beating traffic could look like in the not-too-distant future..

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

ARC Quality Solutions

Bay Care/Morton Plant Hospital

Business & Family Insurors

Cloud Law Firm PA

Duke Energy

Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital

Florida Blue

HCA Florida Largo Hospital

Melody Hunter Homes

National Aviation Academy

Pinellas County Housing Authority

Piper Fire Protection - A Fortis Group

Platinum Information Services

Regions Bank

Serenity Funeral Home and Serenity

Gardens Memorial Park

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