Largo Dental Studio Celebrates with a Ribbon Cutting!

   Dr. Charles Drexler of Largo Dental Studio did the honors of cutting their ceremonial ribbon at last week’s grand opening celebration!

    Largo Dental Studio prides themselves on delivering top-notch, personalized dental care in a comfortable and welcoming environment. The experienced team offers a comprehensive range of services, from routine check-ups to advanced restorative and cosmetic procedures, ensuring the highest standard of care tailored to your unique needs. They prioritize your comfort and satisfaction, welcoming patients of all ages to experience the difference that compassionate, patient-centered dental care can make. Learn more about the $99 new patient special now through November 30th at LargoDentalStudio.com.

Our sincere thanks to the following businesses who joined the Chamber during the past four weeks. To see their (and YOUR) Chamber Directory listing, please visit www.CentralChamber.biz

Maggie’s Maids

Magda Bruning

610 Indian Rocks Rd N #98, Belleair, FL 33770

727-776-7056

maggiesmaidscleaningservice@gmail.com

MaggiesMaidsCleaning.com

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

Archwell Health, First Renewal

Business & Family Insurors, Inc., TRUSTEE, 39-Year Legacy Member

Culver's of Largo, 11-Year Member

Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation, 4-Year Member

GarrisonPro, 4-Year Member

Greater Largo Library Foundation, 20-Year Legacy Member

Imagine Orthodontic Studio, First Renewal

Leonardo DRS, First Renewal

MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, 9-Year Member

PSTA, 16-Year Legacy Member

Source 1 Solutions, 11-Year Member

SPCA Tampa Bay, 21-Year Legacy Member

Veterinary Emergency Group, First Renewal

(Legacy Member = 15 years or more)

Riverchase Dermatology Opens St. Petersburg Location

   Riverchase Dermatology celebrated the opening of their newest location with a ribbon cutting! This is the 30th location they have opened, all in Florida.

    Riverchase Dermatology at St. Petersburg offers skilled and compassionate skin care from some of the best dermatologists in St. Petersburg. Their board-certified dermatologists, certified physician assistants, and licensed providers are dedicated to treating patients with a wide variety of medical and cosmetic skin concerns and delivering the highest quality of care. Cosmetic treatments offered range from Botox to skin rejuvenation procedures. Learn more and book your next appointment at RiverchaseDermatology.com.

Ambassador of the Month: Wendy Swertfeger

   Congratulations Wendy! By fulfilling her Ambassador duties, Wendy Swertfeger of LegalShield/IDShield secured the title of Ambassador of the Month! The team gathered around to honor her for her volunteerism.

    Want to learn more about this competitive team dedicated to member outreach? Contact Emmy at membership@centralchamber.biz.

The Disaster Recovery Center at the Florida Botanical Gardens, Magnolia Room, 12520 Ulmerton Road Largo reopened on Thursday, November 7th.

DRCs serve as centralized locations where people can access various services and information related to disaster recovery, including:

• Information and Guidance: DRCs provide information on available disaster assistance programs and resources.
• Application Assistance: You can receive help with applying for federal disaster assistance programs, such as FEMA grants and low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration DRC staff can assist you in completing the necessary paperwork and explaining the application process.
• Translation and Accessibility Services: The DRC offers translation services for individuals with limited English proficiency. They also provide accommodations for people with disabilities to ensure equal access to assistance.
• Status Updates: If you have already applied for assistance, you can check the status of your application at a DRC.
• Access to Disaster-related Resources: The DRC will have numerous state agencies and social service organizations on site to help you get additional help, such as housing, legal services, and counseling.
• Access to Computers and Phones: The DRC offers computer access and phone services, allowing you to complete online applications. 

In addition to FEMA, the following agencies will provide assistance at the DRC: Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, Florida Department of Commerce, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Florida Department of Insurance Regulation and Florida Department of Children and Families with Hope Florida Navigators.

When visiting a DRC, it’s a good idea to bring identification, proof of residence, insurance information, and any documentation related to your disaster-related losses to facilitate the application process and ensure you receive the appropriate assistance.

Residents can register for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, via the FEMA app or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).

Pinellas County Economic Development is here to support you in any way possible as we navigate the aftermath of Helene and Milton together.

• Florida Commerce has released the Florida Business Damage Assessment Survey for businesses damaged physically or economically by Hurricane Milton. The survey is available online: https://floridadisaster.biz/Respond/BusinessDamageAssessmentsSurvey Please note that if a business already submitted a survey for damages from Hurricane Helene, and were subsequently damaged by Hurricane Milton, they must once again fill out a new survey and select “Hurricane Milton.”
• The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan application is also now available online: https://floridacommerce.my.site.com/RebuildFloridaBusinessLoanFund/s/
• The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program provides short-term, zero-interest working capital loans that are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer term recovery funding such as federally or commercially available loans, insurance claims or other resources.
• Loans made under this program are short-term, personal loans using State of Florida funds – they are not grants and must be repaid. Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans require repayment by the approved applicant. Owners may utilize funding from longer term financial resources, such as U.S. Small Business Administration economic injury disaster loans, to repay the Emergency Bridge Loan.

Here’s how much hurricanes cost Florida businesses

Weeks after Helene and Milton, Florida businesses and their employees are still paying a staggering toll, according to claims business owners voluntarily filed with the state.

Boeing space-business sale would end Space Coast era. But could it create a strong competitor?

If struggling aerospace giant Boeing sells off its space business as speculated, it would represent the end of a storied era on Florida's Space Coast dating to the days of NASA's Apollo program.

Federal funding of $21 million will help conserve land in Peace River Valley

An infusion of federal money could help prevent agricultural properties around the Peace River in Polk County from converting to subdivisions or shopping centers.

Here’s what you need to earn to live comfortably in Orlando

The salary needed to live comfortably in Orlando is $102,277 — almost $40,000 higher than the median household income of $66,292.

Naples firm invests $14M in newspapers, buys 5% stake in Dallas Morning News

The beleaguered newspaper industry has been written off by many — including Warren Buffett. Naples billionaire David Hoffmann believes the industry is ripe for a big comeback.

Acropol Family Restaurant

Bay Care/Morton Plant Hospital

Business & Family Insurors

Cloud Law Firm PA

Duke Energy

Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital

HCA Florida Largo Hospital

Home Instead/Be a Santa

Jackson & Associates CPA

JR's Sports Pub/Source 1 Solutions

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

Village Inn

Visit St. Pete/Clearwater

Wealth Builders