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 Performign Arts Foundation, Jennifer Fawcett, 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.

Start your business day bright!

Chamber Coffee An' Networking

When: THIS THURSDAY, August 25 @ 7:45 a.m.

Where: CareerSource Pinellas

13805 58th Street North, Suite # 2-140 ( @ ICOT)

Clearwater, FL 33760

Start off your day with some informal networking and a

fun "get to know you" round robin.

Register here: Free for members. $25 for non-members.

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

[email protected]

www.CoreBizSolutions.com

Domingos Law

ATTORNEYS - CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Bridgette Domingos

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

727-755-8448

[email protected]

www.DomingosLaw.com

E and L Construction Group

CONSTRUCTION AND CONTRACTORS

Tony Haag

7247 Bryan Dairy Road, Largo, FL 33777

727-289-7072

[email protected]

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

[email protected]

Hanlon Law

ATTORNEYS - CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Will Hanlon

600 Cleveland Street, Suite 1100, Clearwater, FL 33755

727-897-5413

[email protected]

www.CriminalAttorneyClearwater.net

JOMAR MEDIA

PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS

Joan Marchand

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

813-328-4846

[email protected]

www.JomarMedia.com

Woodie's Wash Shack

CAR WASH

Melissa Roberts

7601 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33771

727-253-4736

[email protected]

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.

RSVP at [email protected]

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