E-Connection Membership Edition

Volume 218 | March 2025

Weekly E-Connection

801 West Bay Drive, Suite 602 Largo, FL 33770

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

Celebrating our Members Edition

April 15, 2025

Celebrating our Ambassador of the Month

Wendy Swertfeger, LegalShield/IDShield!

The Ambassadors Team recognizes Wendy Swertfeger as our March Ambassador of the Month! Wendy is a regular greeter at our many programs and events, and she's also an active member of our Women's Leadership Committee. Thank you Wendy for your many years of support!

If you'd like to build contacts with other businesses while helping to promote the Chamber, the Ambassadors Team is for you! It meets the first Wednesday monthly at 8:15 a.m. in the Chamber Conference Room. For more information, reach out to Tom@CentralChamber.biz or 727-584-2321.

Saluting Chamber Loyalty!

Our sincere thanks to the following businesses who renewed during the past four weeks. Their continued loyalty is inspiring! To learn more about them, please visit www.CentralChamber.biz

BayStar Hotel Group, 21-Year Legacy Member

Bender Chiropractic Center, 30-Year Legacy Member

Bill Campbell State Farm Insurance, 39-Year Legacy Member

Budget Blinds of Clearwater & Seminole, 4-Year Member

Camelot Community Care, First Renewal

Dan Flynn State Farm Insurance, 22-Year Legacy Member

Dr. Craig Baker, DMD, 16-Year Legacy Member

Dream Giveaway, 2-Year Member

England Brothers Construction, 18-Year Legacy Member

Fibrenew Largo, 2-Year Member

Holiday Inn-St. Petersburg N./Clearwater, First Renewal

LegalShield/IDShield, 10-Year Member

MicroType Engineering, 6-Year Member

Recovery Epicenter Foundation, First Renewal

Sean W. Scott Law Firm, 7-Year Member

Slyce Pizza Bar, 12-Year Member

State Farm-Team Cocco, 15-Legacy Member

(Legacy Member = 15 years or more)

Final Ticket Sales - Next Wednesday, April 23!

Reserve your tickets here: BALLPARK BASH

(Tickets & wristbands must be picked up at the Chamber offices before 2 p.m. the day of the event. )

BODYBAR Pilates Belleair Bluffs

Rick Scott

FITNESS - PILATES STUDIO

2973 West Bay Drive, Belleair Bluffs, FL 33770

727-603-1075

BelleairBluffsManager@BODYBARPilate.com

ig:bodybarbelleairbluffs

Lighthouse of Pinellas

Sherry Yagovane

NON-PROFIT

6925 112th Circle N., Suite 103, Largo, FL 33773

727-544-4433

Syagovane@lhpfl.org

www.lhpfl.org

Perfect Catch Electric, Gas & Pools

Vendela Conley

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

9205 128th Avenue N. #1409, Largo, FL 33773

727-316-5206

Office@CallPerfectCatch.com

www.CallPerfectCatch.com

Early Bird Discount Ends April 30!

Reserve your Expo space here: SPRINGTIME EXPO

Automatic tax deadline extension for Floridians: What to know about Tax Day 2025 - The 2025 tax filing deadline is Tuesday, April 15, but Florida residents affected by Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton could qualify for an automatic extension.

Here's where manufacturing is booming in Central Florida as tariffs cast shadow on industry

The manufacturing industry in Central Florida has grown substantially in the last 10 years, with gross domestic product growing to $17 billion in 2023 — a 93% increase from 2014.

Cruise terminal called largest in the world opens in Florida

MSC Cruises has opened what it dubs the largest cruise terminal in the world at PortMiami. The four-level building can serve up to 36,000 passengers a day.

Can CTE solve Florida’s workforce crisis—and make college optional?

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in Florida are providing an alternative path to economic mobility, especially for marginalized students.

FEMA slashes $300 million in FL flooding, hurricane relief projects

Nearly $300 million in federal aid meant to help protect Florida communities from flooding, hurricanes and other natural disasters has been frozen since January.