Skip to content
from the presidents desk
Dear Chamber Members,
I wanted let you know about my new blog, From the President's Desk.
From the President's Desk allows me the opportunity to provide thoughts and perspectives on the issues that will be impacting the business community as they happen.
I want this blog to be a resource that will keep our members informed while providing analysis I hope you find useful.
Happy reading!
Sincerely,
Todd Thomson | President/CEO
Greater Pensacola Chamber

September 24th Update

By Todd Thomson | September 25, 2020

Hurricane Sally Resources Governor Ron DeSantis Activates Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program for Small Businesses Damaged by Hurricane Sally Governor Ron DeSantis has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program to support small businesses impacted by Hurricane Sally. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) administers the Emergency Bridge Loan program…

September 22nd Update

By Todd Thomson | September 25, 2020

Hurricane Sally Business Resources   As our businesses continue to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Sally, the Greater Pensacola Chamber wants to make sure that you have access to the resources you need to get back to business as quickly as possible. If you’ve had impacts from Hurricane Sally, please utilize the following resources…

September 8th COVID-19 Update

By Todd Thomson | September 10, 2020

Gov. Ron DeSantis builds up comeback message as COVID-19 ticks down in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been crisscrossing Florida and handing the microphone to coaches ready to play ball, brewers eager to pour pints again, and a doctor with controversial views who has the president’s ear. The story DeSantis wants to tell: Florida has…

September 9th COVID-19 Update

By Todd Thomson | September 10, 2020

McConnell says Senate will vote on coronavirus stimulus plan as soon as this week The Senate will vote on a coronavirus stimulus bill as early as this week, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday. In a statement, the Kentucky Republican said the chamber aims to take up what he called a “targeted proposal, focused on…

September 10th COVID-19 Update

By Todd Thomson | September 10, 2020

Florida small business owners stay afloat as state continues to reopen When CBS News spoke to Dr. Fitzherbert Harry in June, he said his small physical therapy business in Maitland, Florida wasn’t at “break-even” yet, because it was recovering from negative impacts from the coronavirus pandemic. Harry, 35, said then that his business could probably…

September 3rd COVID-19 Update

By Todd Thomson | September 3, 2020

SBDC Offers Workshop to Help Restaurants The restaurant industry has arguably suffered the most economic losses since the COVID-19 outbreak began. And as the state and country reopen, restaurant operations can be dramatically different. To help navigate new challenges, the Small Business Development Center at the University of West Florida will host a three-part webinar…

September 2nd COVID-19 Update

By Todd Thomson | September 3, 2020

Florida Businesses Could Get Break on Workers’ Comp Insurance For Florida businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, here’s a bit of good news: Workers’ compensation insurance costs could go down in 2021. State insurance regulators have received a rate filing that would reduce premiums next year in the workers’ compensation system by an average of…

September 1st COVID-19 Update

By Todd Thomson | September 3, 2020

Pensacola City Facilities, Community Centers Could Reopen in October Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson is eyeing the beginning of October as the time to reopen city facilities like community centers that have been closed since a spike of COVID-19 cases in July. Robinson said during his weekly press conference Monday that he will be meeting with…

August 31st COVID-19 Update

By Todd Thomson | September 3, 2020

Governor DeSantis Encourages Tourists to Come to Florida on Planes Gov. Ron DeSantis made the case that tourists could safely take commercial flights to visit Florida, as newly reported coronavirus cases grew by more than 3,800 people Friday, down from peak averages of nearly 12,000 cases daily in mid-July.  Read more here.   Governor DeSantis…

August 27th COVID-19 Update

By Todd Thomson | August 27, 2020

Governor DeSantis says Florida Will Sign onto Trump’s Enhanced Unemployment Benefits Program Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday that Florida would participate in the enhanced unemployment benefits program offered through an executive memorandum signed by President Trump earlier this month. Read more here.   Florida Nursing Homes Can Have Visitors with no COVID Testing, Task Force…