E-Connection: It's Officially Summer Edition

Volume 235 | June 2025

Weekly E-Connection

801 West Bay Drive, Suite 602

Largo, FL 33770

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

It's Officially Summer Edition

(Florida's Only Season!)

June 24, 2025

Nomination Form Here: 2025 Inspire Award

A tradition returns

Chamber President's Luncheon

Chamber President Tom Morrissette, left, is joined by the guests of his recent President's Luncheon. The informal gathering is back following a hiatus of several years. It brings together new and longtime members to learn about each others businesses in addition to the benefits/services that the Chamber provides.

With Tom are John Yacalis of Aberdeen Advisors, Lainnie LaCroix and Sarah Gum of Home2 Suites by Hilton Largo, Pam Dufour of Bogey's Tavern, Rob Carli of Belleair Coffee Company & Taphouse, Chamber intern Arriyne Gates, Laurie Bunce of Centratel, Melody Hunter of Melody Hunter Homes and David Vitco of FranCrum.

A very special thanks to the Palms of Largo for hosting and providing lunch.

Welcome Home2 Suites by Hilton Largo!

Lainnie LaCroix and Sarah Gum proudly show off their Chamber plaque at their 10145 Ulmerton Road property. Home2 Suites by Hilton Largo provides plenty of space including an in-suite kitchen, free WiFi, free breakfast and free parking. And they're especially pet-friendly. Here's a link for more information: Home2 Suites by Hilton Largo.

Florida jobless rate stays at 3.7 percent

Florida’s unemployment rate held at 3.7 percent in May, after inching up earlier in the year. Most business sectors in Florida showed upticks in employment in May, though small declines were seen in government and construction jobs.

Q uick study -Florida’s higher education landscape has experienced considerable leadership turnover. More than a dozen presidencies have changed hands in the past three years.

Column: The U.S. and Florida need to reconnect with farming. Here’s How - Today, many Americans are disconnected from agriculture, how our food is grown, who grows it and the science that keeps the system running smoothly.

Florida out-of-state tuition could go up for first time since 2012

Students entering Florida for higher education may want to keep an eye on the price tag now that universities have permission to increase tuition on out-of-state students.

Florida shellfish industry, communities push governor to ban Apalachicola drilling - A critical decision now rests with Gov. DeSantis, as Florida coastal communities and shellfish farmers urge him to sign a bill permanently banning oil drilling near the Apalachicola River.

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

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