13th Annual Inspire Awards

(Top photo) Congratulations to our 2022 Inspire Honorees, from left to right: Dr. Bradley Finkbiner of Largo High School, Colin & Julie Castle of Home Instead Senior Care, Dovev Weaver of Dreams to Reality Foundation, Steven Halstead of Central Park Performing Arts Foundation, Jennifer Fawcett of City of Largo Rec, Parks & Arts, Vernon Bryant of Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation, Ben Brudnicki of Arden Courts and Diana Baldwin of Elison of Pinecrest.

The feel-good event of the year! The Chamber's 13th Annual Inspire Awards held last week at the Central Park Performing Arts Center attracted more than 100 people from our region. There were nine honorees, and all their stories were inspirational. Special thanks to our emcee Maureen Famiano and our Presenting, Marketing and In-kind Sponsors.

Thank you to Stacy Gillis of Advanced Video Systems for the photographing and videotaping the event. Check out all of the photos here.

Contact Kay Today!

Our sincere thanks to the following businesses who joined the Chamber during the past three weeks. To learn more about them, please visit www.CentralChamber.biz

Core Business Solutions

BUSINESS COACHING

Walt Morey

8712 40th Way, Pinellas Park, FL 33782

727-647-8242

WaltMorey@CoreBizSolution.com

www.CoreBizSolutions.com

Domingos Law

ATTORNEYS - CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Bridgette Domingos

801 West Bay Drive, Suite 715, Largo, FL 33770

727-755-8448

Bridgette@DomingosLaw.com

www.DomingosLaw.com

E and L Construction Group

CONSTRUCTION AND CONTRACTORS

Tony Haag

7247 Bryan Dairy Road, Largo, FL 33777

727-289-7072

Tony.Haag@EandLGroup.com

www.EandLGroup.com

Exchange Club of Mid-Pinellas FL

NON-PROFIT

Michael Forster

2300 Tall Pines Drive, Suite 100, Largo, FL 33771

727-515-3196

Mforster@ReadyForLifePinellas.org

Hanlon Law

ATTORNEYS - CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Will Hanlon

600 Cleveland Street, Suite 1100, Clearwater, FL 33755

727-897-5413

will@TampaDefenseAttorney.com

www.CriminalAttorneyClearwater.net

JOMAR MEDIA

DIGITAL MARKETING

Joan Marchand

1753 Belleair Forest Drive, Unit D6, Belleair, FL 33756

813-328-4846

Joan@JomarMedia.com

www.JomarMedia.com

Woodie's Wash Shack

CAR WASH

Melissa Roberts

7601 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33771

727-253-4736

mroberts@woodieswash.com

www.WoodiesWash.com

Saluting Chamber Loyalty!

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

Apyx Medical – 10-year Member

Arden Courts of Largo, - 24-Year Legacy Member

Clearwater Yacht Club – 3-Year Member

Compass Self Storage – 3-Year Member

Culver's of Largo – 9-Year Member

Curtis Pools – 43-Year Legacy Member

Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation – 2-Year Member

Francis Wilson Playhouse – 16-Year Legacy Member

Girls, Inc. of Pinellas – 6-Year Member

Gulfview Plumbing and Water Treatment – First Renewal

Jackson & Associates CPA, PA – 13-Year Member

P&C Wealth Management – First Renewal

Pinellas Technical College – 52-Year Legacy Member

(Legacy Member = 15 years or more)

PSTA Awarded $20 Million for a New Clearwater Transit Center

This is the first RAISE grant awarded in Pinellas County

******The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) has been awarded $20 million in federal grants for the construction of a new Clearwater Transit Center. The funds come from the Rebuilding America Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program.

******The new transit center will be built on a city-owned vacant lot at the corner of Court Street and Myrtle Avenue. The plan includes 16 bus bays, bicycle and scooter storage, ride-sharing connections, ADA boarding requirements, and a “green” design including solar panels and electric bus charging stations.

******The remainder of the project will be funded by contributions from the City of Clearwater, FDOT, Forward Pinellas, and PSTA. Construction is set to begin next year.

Nova Southeastern University Program Showcase - RSVP here.

Judge invalidates hundreds of bogus claims in Surfside building collapse

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'Gridlock': Artemis launch spectators, five Port Canaveral cruise ships to snarl traffic Monday

Tourism and space-related officials estimate anywhere from 100,000 to 500,000 visitors may enter Brevard County for NASA's Artemis I launch.

David Beckham needs one more vote for soccer stadium. Miami’s airport has concerns

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Orlando Museum of Art interim director resigns, trustees also leave

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'Perfect storm' leads to dire situation for animal shelters in Jacksonville area and country

In Jacksonville and across the country, animal shelters have been full for months on end — frequently overcapacity — and begging for adoptions, foster families and donations.