Communications

Legislative Communications

The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to providing members with transparent, up to date, reliable information on current events and public policy. On this site you can find our monthly Legislative Update, our Legislative Bolg Post and press releases.

Legislative Update

August 2019

The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce would like to extend the opportunity for all members to voice concerns about current or proposed policies that impact their businesses or the communities they serve.

Office hours will be offered once a month, and all concerns voiced will go before the Chamber of Commerce Policy Committee. Our goal is to adequately gage the member’s concerns and strive to connect resources and find solutions to better benefit our business community and our community impact.
For more information please email slefevers@pensacolachamber.com

National

Preparing for Driverless Vehicles: An autonomous trucking company moves freight for UPS

UPS has had autonomous trucking startup TuSimple hauling cargo for it between Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, since May as part of a newly publicized partnership between the two companies. Learn More Here

Temperature Rises in Trade War

As the trade war intensifies, financial markets have gotten skittish over the possibility of slowed economic growth. "China announced Friday that it would levy retaliatory tariffs ranging from 5% to 10% on $75 billion of U.S. goods in two batches on Sept. 1 and Dec. 15, per CNBC." Learn More Here

State

State Analysts Won't Revisit Economic Impact of Minimum Wage, Utility Ballot Initiatives

"The state's top fiscal forecasters said Monday they won't revisit their original financial impact statements for two 2020 ballot initiatives that could cause huge economic ripples in Florida - despite a recent Supreme Court opinion that it should." Read More Here

Local

Escambia County Recieves $21.8 Million in Funding for New Jail

Escambia County will receive $21.8 million from the Florida Division of Emergency Management through Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement, which will go directly toward the county’s $145 million correctional facility project. Read More Here

Community Progress

This month the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Chamber of Commerce joined to host a meeting with a variety of community leaders in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. The mission of this meeting was to develop a strategy and set community goals to accomplish by 2030. Some of those goals include: a stronger workforce, improved kindergarten readiness rates and improve the quality of life for all residents. Chamber CEO Todd Thomson gives his take on how we as a community can achieve these goals. Additionally, Chief Economist with the Florida Chamber, Jerry Parrish explains the purpose behind this initiative.

Community Progress

The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce hosted the first of their quarterly “State Of” series with the State of the City Luncheon. This event is part one of an inaugural four-part community engagement series where the Chamber will be bringing local leaders to share their vision for the future with the business community. Read more here

PRESS RELEASES

State of the City Press Release

PENSACOLA, FL- August 21, 2019 – The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce held its first ever “State of the City” luncheon attended by 250 Pensacola business leaders. This event is part one of an inaugural four-part community engagement series where the Chamber will be bringing local leaders to share their vision for the future with the business community.

Mayor Grover Robinson provided keynote remarks and reflected on the progress of Pensacola as he rallied around the “Florida’s First and Future” motto he’s adopted for the city. The mayor told the unique story of Pensacola’s history and how we can be a city other Florida communities look to as a model. Mayor Robinson stressed the importance of Pensacola having a good “quality of place” that provide residents a desirable location to grow, work, and play.

Robinson encouraged community leaders to maintain the momentum and reported additional progress to include; the expansion of ST Engineering, increased progress in maritime business at the Port of Pensacola, improvement in property value for both residential and commercial properties, and an 5.4% increase in city sales tax collection. The city also plans to support local educational efforts by acquiring Chromebooks from the school district to place in community centers for students to use.

Newly hired Assistant City Administrator Kerrith Fiddler also spoke at the event and shared his optimism for the city’s plans to manage and maintain the recent growth. Fiddler brings 15 years of local government experience to his new position and is also a Certified General Contractor, Certified Roofing Contractor, Certified Plumbing Contractor, Certified Floodplain Manager, and a Qualified Stormwater Inspector.

Luncheon attendees had direct access to Mayor Robinson and city staff and the opportunity to network with elected officials and community leaders before and after the program. Attendees also provided questions for the mayor to answer following his remarks.

The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce would like to thank our Title Sponsor, the University of West Florida. In addition, we’d like to thank our Gold Sponsors: Titanium Wireless, Synovus, and Gulf Power Company.

The Greater Pensacola Chamber is dedicated to being a conduit for positive change and cross-sector collaboration. The Chamber will be hosting three more events as a part of the “State of” series to include: State of the Military, State of Education and State of the County.

For more information regarding these events please contact the Greater Pensacola Chamber at (850) 438 – 4081 or by visiting our website www.pensacolachamber.com.