News

International Paper Receives Draft Permit

Last week International Paper Company (IP) was granted a draft permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. A draft permit is essentially the license to operate the IP plant. IP provides over 500 high wage jobs in this community which makes IP a major economic generator for our community. To educate the public on this matter, IP has launched a website www.protectourecosystem.com explaining the project with maps, diagrams and photos. This website also provides an opportunity for Chamber members to click on the link "Show Your Support" and to submit a personalized message. We are urging all Chamber members to please take a moment to show their support. This information is important to demonstrate community support. Staff contact:  Natalie Prim at 850.438.4088.

Charter Review

The Charter Review Commission (CRC) of the City of Pensacola has been meeting since January 2008 to perform a comprehensive review of our City Charter.

The CRC will meet on April 16, May 7, May 28 and June 18 at 4 p.m. in the Hagler Mason Conference Room located on the 2nd floor of City Hall in Downtown Pensacola.

Public participation is essential to creating a document that reflects the current needs of our community. The Charter commission will make recommendations to the City Council at the end of its deliberations which is expected to take approximately one year. Public participation is invited at all meetings.

Visit the CRC's website for a complete listing of meeting dates and more information.

Transportation Funding Package Approval

On March 26, the influential Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission (TBRC) passed, by an overwhelming margin, a series of new transportation funding recommendations. If adopted by the Florida Legislature, these user fee adjustments would provide $618.6 million in additional transportation funding in 2008-2000, growing to an additional $2.1 billion for transportation by 2016 thru 2017.

These recommendations were strongly supported by a variety of statewide groups including the Florida Transportation Builders Association, Floridians for Better Transportation, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Engineering Society and the Florida MPO Advisory Council.

The TBRC Commission is formed once every twenty years to examine the state budgetary process and revenue needs and is presently chaired by former House Speaker Allan Bense, is Vice Chaired by former Senate President Jim Scott and is comprised of some of Florida's best and brightest minds from business and Government.

The TBRC is formed once every twenty years to examine the state budgetary process and revenue needs, and is presently Chaired by former House Speaker Allan Bense, Vice Chaired by former Senate President Jim Scott, and comprised of some of Florida's very best and brightest minds from business and government.

According to the TBRC's Economist, Tony Villamil, this package would:

Add an average of 7,000 jobs per year,
$4.5 billion in additional labor compensation, and
$5 billion in additional Florida real GDP.

Additionally, Florida TaxWatch, which supported this transportation funding proposal, stated that this package would yield significant economic benefits.

While prospects for action by the Florida Legislature on any of these recommendations are unclear at this time, what is certain is that the widely-respected Florida TBRC has sent a strong and unmistakable message to the Florida Legislature. That message is:

A. Transportation is vitally-important to Florida's economy, quality of life, and future
B. We continue to under-fund transportation at our peril

Given the current Florida Legislative debate about whether to cut or increase transportation "investments," FBT sincerely hopes that this recent action taken by the TBRC will make a positive and timely contribution to this important discussion.

Legislative Update

Your Chamber is tracking several bills in the current legislative session that are beneficial to our members. The following is a synopsis of several bills we are tracking. Stay tuned for further developments as the session progresses. The Chamber contact is Natalie Prim at 850.438.4088.

Lowering Property Insurance Costs

As a member of the Business Coalition on Property Insurance, one of the  important bills passing through the legislature is HB 1001. This bill would make it possible for an insurer to offer a non-assessable policy for commercial insurance that is not subject to assessment by Citizens. Additional CAT fund legislation (HB 7021 and CS/SB 2156) would limit assessments (imposed by Citizens) by reducing exposure by $3 billion. Both legislative proposals should lead to lower premiums.

Constitutional Amendment Reform

Reform of the paid signature gathering industry took a big step forward with the committee passage of Senate Bill 2340 and House Bill 903. This bill would require paid signature gatherers to register with the Florida Department of State and be a Florida resident. This is critical because paid signature gatherers are brought in from out of state strictly for this purpose.

Make Pensacola the Best of Florida

Vote now for Pensacola attractions, businesses, restaurants, hotels and events for Florida Monthly magazine's 2008 Best of Florida. Make Pensacola #1 by voting at www.floridamagazine.com/bofballot.html

Chamber Banners and Magnets Available

Please contact the Chamber at 850.438.4081 to request a banner for your business that features one of 6 wonderful descriptors of Pensacola:  Glorious, Beautiful, Innovative, Spirited, Heroic and Genuine. Our colorful magnets are also available at the Chamber office in limited quantities.

Live Green Escambia Update

The LeaP Class of 2008 is preparing to distribute over 3,000 free Green Kits to residents of Escambia County. On April 19, the bins will be given out at multiple stations free of charge to any interested Escambia County citizens.

Free Green Kit distribution locations:

The LeaP Class extends a special thank you to our generous project sponsors: Cox Communications, Cox Conserves, Pen Air Federal Credit Union, Gulf Power, Cat Country 98.7, Baskerville-Donovan, Morette Construction Company and Lamar Advertising, Alystock, Witkin, Kreis and Overholtz, Baptist Health Care, ESP, Harvesters Federal Credit Union, Gulf Coast Community Bank, Merrill Lynch, PODS, Rodney Rich and Company, Sacred Heart Health System, and Sandy Sansing.

There are many simple things that you can do to help make Escambia County Greener. Visit LiveGreenEscambia.com to learn more.

For your free Green Kit, please email the following information:
First Name
Last Name
Address
City
Zip Code
Phone Number
to: LiveGreenEscambia@gmail.com.

Chamber Events

High Growth Business Club ~ April 15

The High Growth Business Club will meet at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15 at the FIHMC located at 40 South Alcaniz Street in Pensacola. High Growth Business Club will feature a financial discussion with Bill Gibson, President/Broker with Gibson & Associates.

An entrepreneur and seasoned business executive, Bill Gibson, has many years of experiencein business brokerage, valuation and consulting which enables him to provide the expertise to help business owners to achieve financial success. During this economic turn, how do you successfully assess and restructure your financial position? Come discuss and discover effective methods and options to address financial concerns.

Please email us questions and concerns regarding your business financials so Mr. Gibson can prepare answers to discuss at the meeting!

High Growth Business Club
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
IHMC, 40 South Alcaniz

To RSVP or submit questions to Mr. Gibson please email:
Mary Jane Steverson at Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce or 850.438.4081 ext. 223

FREE to HGBC & Chamber Members

Hospitality Roundtable Luncheon ~ April 15

The next Hospitality Roundtable Luncheon is on Tuesday, April 15 at Sams' Fun City.  The event begins at 11:30 a.m. and concludes at 1 p.m.  Sam's Fun City is located at 6709 Pensacola Boulevard.

This month, the Pensacola Bay Area Convention and Visitors Bureau staff will discuss ways to "Get the Most From Your CVB."

The cost of the luncheon is $12 for HRT members an $20 for non-members. Payment should be made at the door. Checks should be made payable to Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. Invoicing is not permitted. Since we must guarantee reservations, you will receive a bill for the cost of your lunch if you RSVP and do not attend.  RSVP's are due by Friday, April 11 to Barbara Williams. [RSVP] or call 850.434.1234.

Business After Hours ~ April 17

Business After Hours is held the third Thursday of each month from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Businesses are able to showcase their establishments to the business community while guests make valuable contacts. Admission is free with one business card. This gathering is a perfect time to build new business relationships and strengthen established ones. No reservations are required.

This month, Business After Hours is being held on April 17 at the Fish House located at 600 Barracks Street, Pensacola.

Small Business Week: April 21-25, 2008

Small Businesses are the heart of the American and our local economy! Every year the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce celebrates our local small businesses for their entrepreneurial spirit, contributions to our community and positive impact on our overall quality of life through Small Business Week. This year we are celebrating in conjunction with the National Small Business Week and are pleased to bring an exciting week of events to our members.

For more information, please call Summer Burdick at 850.438.4081.

Visit our website for detailed Small Business Week event information.

Small Business of the Year Luncheon: April 22

The 2008 Small Business of the Year Luncheon is presented by Total Employee Leasing. This is a premier event for Small Businesses in the Pensacola Area. The highlight of this event is the Chamber's Small Business of the Year award. The Small Business of the Year distinction is based on financial success, community involvement and ethical business practices.

The event is hosted this year by Angus Seafood- Meats- Spirits located at 1101 Scenic Hwy. beginning at 11:30 a.m. and concluding at 1 p.m. The cost is $25 for members RSVP to Azalea Webb. [RSVP]

Presented by Total Employee Leasing

For more information about Small Business Week, please visit our Small Business Week website.

Deluxe Tour of China Pre-Tour Meeting

Our next meeting to discuss the fall trip to China will be Monday, April 28, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. at the Pensacola Chamber. This will give interested individuals (members and non-members) the opportunity to hear details of the trip and to ask questions. The University of West Florida is also showing an excellent power point presentation showing the tourist spots we will be visiting like Tian an Men Square and The Great Wall. Please join us and tell your friends and family. Everyone is welcome. The Chamber contact is Natalie Prim. Please call her directly at 850.438.4088, or visit the Chamber's website for the Tour of China.

Northwest Florida Venture Forum

The next forum meeting will be held on May 13, 2008 at New World Landing.

Interested area entrepreneurs should submit project summaries on or before April 18th to the program committee chaired by Larry Strain, Executive Director of the University of West Florida Small Business Development Center, located at 401 Chase Street, Suite 100, Pensacola, FL, 32501.

The forum's new application is available at www.sbdc.uwf.edu and the organizers note that while preference is generally given to existing businesses with significant annual revenue growth potential, outstanding start-up plans are also considered by the committee. The NW Florida Venture Forum provides area entrepreneurs with the opportunity to demonstrate their growth potential to an audience interested in investment opportunities.

For more information contact Larry Strain or 850.473.7830.

Potential investors should contact Dr. Richard Hawkins or 850.474.2656.

Member News

Congratulations to Coastal Moving and Storage, April's Small Business of the Month!

	When Jay Bradshaw and his wife moved to Pensacola in 2005, he planned on working for Coastal Moving and Storage as a General Manager with a five year plan to buy the business. After one year, he not only purchased the business but ...   Read More

Proud Past, Better Tomorrow

With housing issues affecting a wide cross-section of America "Pensacola: A Proud Past, A Better Tomorrow" airs a look at how the issues of declining housing values, slowing housing starts, the sub-prime loan crisis and the increasing demand for clean, safe housing for the economically disadvantaged are being addressed in our community.

The show, hosted by Debbie Ritchie, began broadcasting on SaturdayApril 12th at 6 PM on BLAB-TV, the Pensacola-based cable access channel, which Cox Cable customers can find at channel 6 and Mediacom customers can locate at channel 38. The show will rebroadcast periodically over the next two weeks.

"Pensacola: A Proud Past, A Better Tomorrow" has already broadcast shows looking at jobs and economic development as well as education. Now the show turns its attention to housing issues in our region.

Featured on the show will be Pat Hubbard, director of the City of Pensacola's housing department, Betty Salter, president of Habitat for Humanity, Diane Toepfler, president of the Pensacola Association of Realtors, and Al Muller, president of Metro Market Trends, a company that tracks real estate trends in Escambia County. The show will also honor Habitat for Humanity for being a Difference Maker in the community.

For more information visit www.PensacolaTomorrow.Com or call George Scarborough at 850.343.0550.

Retreat this Summer

Adventures Unlimited is taking reservations for summer workshops and corporate retreats. Picnic areas, ropes courses, volleyball tournaments, canoeing, kayaking and tubing trips are all available onsite. Adventures Unlimited offers a Team and Leadership Center for workforce development and overnight accommodations. Call them at 850.623.6197 or visit them on the web at www.adventuresunlimited.com.

Hidden Casualties of War Symposium

On May 8 and 9, 2008 the University of West Florida is hosting a two-day symposium that includes a review of the deployment cycle and its impact on the psychological health of military personnel and their family members. Nationally recognized experts will discuss evaluation and treatment strategies for several deployment related topics. This symposium is recommended for community based mental health professionals, government and uniformed health care providers and all others who have an interest in deployment health or behavioral health.

Symposium topics include: depression, traumatic brain injury, sexual assault, helping children be resilient, counseling bereaved military families, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and counseling of guardsmen and reservists in community settings.

All sessions will occur in the UWF Main Campus Center for Fine & Performing Arts. CEU's are available. The cost to attend the event is $245. Registration ends May 1, 2008. Please visit UWF's continuing education website for more information.