Friday Facts for January 11, 2019

PUNTA GORDA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Dear Chamber Member,

Here are your Friday Facts - Enjoy reading them and have a great Friday and an even better weekend. If you have anything that you would like to put into the Friday Facts please send it to [email protected] by noon each Thursday.

Your Chamber Staff, John, Pat & Stephanie

Quick Links Chamber Calendar of Events

Punta Gorda Chamber Please remember to RSVP to: Membership Directory reception@ puntagorda-chamber.com or 941-639-3720. Calendar & Events Online Payment Center January 12th: City Wide Garage Sale 8 am - 12 Noon Hot Deals All Registrants need to be pre-registered with Job Postings payment. Please contact Punta Gorda Chamber at 639-3720 or email [email protected] The location is in the Bal Harbor Shopping Plaza, corner of Bal Harbor and Aqui Esta. Entrance from Aqui Esta just WEST of 4-way stop. Registration 7 am Cost: $15.00 (two parking spaces)

January 15th: Business After Hours - 5:30 pm - 7 pm .

Come and join your Chamber for our Business After Hours at Link To Us Chelsea Place Senior Care, 3626 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte. Don't forget to bring a gift to promote and

showcase your business! Please be sure to RSVP We have had a lot of requests for a [email protected] or call 941-639-3720. Facebook-sized link to our web page from member websites. Click Here to Janaury 17th: Third Thursday Wine Walk 5-8 pm find the logo below, and several other different-sized logos, so that you can In Downtown Punta Gorda. Art-Music-Live Demonstrations- link your website to ours. Shopping & Food! What better way to spend an evening out

with old friends while you take the time to make new ones. Wine Walk works by donating $10 at the PG Chamber ( in Our Partners advance or on the night) to get a wristband and passport that entitles you to a walking wine tasting - a map of all In Action retail participants will accompany your wristband. Each location will have two different wine varietals to taste! 2019 Wristbands can also be purchased at Hipnotique on the day of the event. Not a wine drinker, you can still come and

enjoy the atmosphere and shop, dine and stroll around.

Platinum Sponsors *************

January 23rd: Networking Luncheon - 12 Noon-1:30 Platinum Media pm. Come and join your Chamber for our Networking

Sponsor Lunch at The Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, 2001 ************* Shreve Street, Punta Gorda. This will be the State of the

City Message given by our Mayor Nancy Prafke. Please RSVP to 941-639-3720 or emailreception@puntagorda- chamber.com Cost is $15.00 per person pre-paid or $20.00

at the door. We take cash, check, Mastercard, Visa,

Discover & Amex

Gold Sponsors Chamber Calendar of Events ***************

***************** Gold In Kind Sponsors *****************

Silver Sponsors ****************

*************** Silver In Kind Sponsors ***************

New Members

Mission Statement To Promote Commerce in Punta Gorda and all of our surrounding areas

Message In A Bottle Weddings & Vows Bronze Sponsors Krystal Castillo **************** 103 W. Marion Units 206 & 207 Array of Cabinets Punta Gorda, FL 33950 Coldwell Banker 941-623-5467 Sunstar Realty [email protected]

Creative Window www.messageinabottleweddingsandvows.co Treatments m Wedding Farr Law Firm Company/Planner/Officiant/Notary Sponsored by Cathy Graham Granny Nannies of Copperfish Books

Koch & Company CPA's Ana's European Café, LLC Jonathan Stark

McCrory Law Firm 315 Taylor Street

Punta Gorda, FL 33950 Michael Saunders & 305-794-7824

Company [email protected]

www.anaseurocafe.com OneSource Bistro/Cafe

Accounting Sponsored by Pat Oliva

& Tax

Your CBD Store Punta Gorda

Wotitzky Law Firm Jim Harrington

4300 Kins Highway #205B ******************** Bronze In Kind Sponsors Punta Gorda, FL 33980 ******************** 352-572-3135 Ann Street Storage [email protected] [email protected] Coffee News Health & Wellness

EverythingPuntaGorda Sponsored by Pat Oliva

Heaven's Best Carpet Remember to utilize the certificates in Cleaning the New Member packet. These are very valuable to your business.

Port Charlotte Florist Ribbon Cuttings

The Printed Page Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings, Ground

Breakings, Launchings, Ceremonies & Support Sponsors Dedications. These are all 5:30 pm unless

***************** otherwise noted. Come out and welcome

Amberg Insurance our newest members.

Animal Welfare League January 22: Message In A Bottle

Weddings & Vows, 103 W. Marion Ave. Charlotte Players Unit 206 & 207, Punta Gorda Fontana Wealth Management of Raymond James January 23: Arthur Rutenberg "Regata

Hessler Floor Covering Model" Ribbon Cutting, 601 W. Henry Street, Punta Gorda Marco Office Supply

Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary January 31: Calista Kitchen & Bath, 2421 Shreve St. Unit 115, Punta Gorda. Place In The Sun

Profiles Nail Boutique February 6: Your CBD Store, 4300 Kings Highway, Unit 205-B, Charlotte Harbor. Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association February 7: Nix & Associates Real State Farm Agency Estate, 2421 Shreve St, Suite 111, Punta Mike Martin Gorda

Webb, Lorah & McMillan, PLLC Partners in Action News

Bayfront Health Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte (Platinum)

For all Bayfront Health January events Click Here Bayfront Health Port Charlotte is First in the State to Benefactor Emeritus Attain Accreditation as a Center of Excellence in Colorectal Surgery Bayfront Health Port Charlotte is the first in the state of Gould Family Trust to have achieved accreditation as a Center of Excellence in Colorectal Surgery by Surgical Review Corporation (SRC). A Center of Excellence in Colorectal

Surgery accreditation distinguishes Bayfront Health Port Point to Ponder Charlotte from many other facilities by providing the highest quality of care to its patients as determined by an independent, external process of evaluation. Work Kindly Status as an accredited Center of Excellence in Colorectal kind: (adj.) of an attentive, Surgery means Bayfront Health Port Charlotte along with helpful, or generous nature board-certified colon and rectal surgeon Domingo Galliano, Jr., M.D., FACS, FASCRS, have met nationally recognized How to Work Kindly... standards. Not all healthcare organizations or surgeons seek accreditation; not all that undergo the rigorous on-site inspection process are granted accreditation. "We are Remove the ego. thrilled to have achieved this accreditation and to be named the first in the state is the highest and most prestigious Let go of any honor," said Timothy Cerullo, Market CEO for Bayfront entitlement and Health Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda. "I want to thank Dr. remember our work is Galliano and our entire team of nurses, staff and administrators that played an active role in this. To seek always about making accreditation by SRC, they had to undergo an extensive things better for assessment and on-site inspection. I am so very proud of each and every one of them." "I enjoy working with this someone else. team at Bayfront Health Port Charlotte," said Domingo Galliano, Jr., M.D., FACS, FASCRS. "This achievement Give others time. demonstrates Bayfront's exemplary commitment to quality improvement and patient safety. It is an honor and privilege Give them our time to be a part of this." patiently and give them Rays/ (Gold) more of their time back by having a sense of urgency for their day.

Joke of the Week

A Joint Account

I went to a new bank in town to open a joint account. At one point in the application they ask for the second name on

the account.

Apparently the bank did Charlotte State Bank & Trust (Silver) Charlotte State Bank & Trust Vice President Christine not like my response. I Hause's trio of free educational seminars take place next wrote down, 'Anyone week at the Murdock office, 1100 Tamiami Trail: who has a lot of money.' 1. "Family Administering Estate Plans-Pitfalls to Avoid"

on Tuesday, Jan. 15 2. "Stocks Bonds and ETFs-All You Really Need?" on Thought for the Week Wednesday, Jan. 16 3. "Celebrity Estate Panning Mistakes" on Thursday, Jan. 17 A Smile A smile costs nothing The seminars run from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Space is limited, so reservations are required. Visit any bank office to but gives much. It takes register or contact Ashley Bruce at 941-235-5110 or but a moment, but the [email protected]. The seminars will move to the Punta Gorda office the week of Jan. 20. memory of it sometimes lasts forever. OneSource Accounting & Tax Co (Bronze) IRS Accepting Returns on January 28th

Treasury also allowing IRS to issue tax refunds during Member Newsletters shutdown A late-day announcement confirms the IRS will begin accepting and processing individual tax returns for the Click Name of Business for 2019 tax return filing season on January 28. As usual, their latest news returns will be due to the IRS on April 15, according to the IRS statement. The only exception is for those filers in the District of Columbia, Maine and Massachusetts will have

until April 17 due to local holidays. The IRS plans to release Animal Welfare League details on its operational plans in the coming days, but did report that a significant portion of its furloughed employees Archway Institute will be recalled. Additionally, today the Treasury Department and the Office Bradley R. Teets Investment of Management and Budget agreed the IRS can issue tax Services - refunds during a prolonged government shutdown. However, A December to Remember the IRS cannot issue refunds claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Additional Child Tax Credit Charlotte Arts & Humanities (ACTC) before mid-February, as outlined in the PATH Act. The administration is trying to make the shutdown as "painless as possible consistent with the law," Russell Charlotte Stone Crabs Vought, the acting OMB director, told reporters.

Fourth Quarter Estimated Tax Payment Edison & Ford Winter Estates The January 15, 2019, fourth quarter estimated tax payment deadline is quickly approaching. Taxpayers can make FGCU Financial Strategies for electronic debit or credit card payments through our Successful Retirement official IRS or state payment website. We are a phone call away and would love to help you with your tax needs!! FGCU Renaissance Academy - Mary Anne Simone EA, CFMA, CMA| Chief Executive Punta Gorda Officer 315 E Olympia Avenue Punta Gorda, FL 33950

FGCU Renaissance Academy - Animal Welfare League (Support) Ft. Myers Click Here for their latest info

Funk Fest Info Charlotte Players (Support) Back by popular demand Charlotte Players will bring back Key West Express Bianca & Tatiana on January 15th for another night of Drag Queen Bingo! Three games of Bingo with prizes and

entertainment by the Drag Queens. Must be 21 or older to Punta Gorda Historic Mural attend. Adult language. Located at the Langdon Playhouse, Society 1182 Market Circle in Port Charlotte. Showtime 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling (941) 255- Spa One Day Spa & Salon 1022 or online at www.charlotteplayers.org Charlotte Players would like to invite you to come see The

Ladies Foursome through January 20th at the Langdon Team Punta Gorda Playhouse. A fast-paced, funny, heartwarming story of Pedal and Play friendship. Over the course of eighteen holes, the women share their secrets and confessions. Tickets are $20 and Yoga Sanctuary can be bought online at www.charlotteplayers.org or by

calling our box office Monday-Friday 10am-3pm at (941) 255-1022. Langdon Playhouse is located at 1182 Market Applause Circle in Port Charlotte.

Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association (Support) TEAM Punta Gorda again joins Wild Carrot trio in concert 7 p.m. January 18, 2019 at Habitat to build a house Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association For the second consecutive year, Treat yourself to an evening of Americana music from Blues TEAM Punta Gorda is joining to Bluegrass, Country to Celtic, American Songbook Charlotte County Habitat for standards to Award-winning original songs all delivered with Humanity to build a house for a a fine sense of musicality and harmony by Wild Carrot. This low-income family. The one-story Cincinnati-based, award-winning group has what it takes to frame house will be built at 328 E. please all types of Americana and Roots music fans, using Virginia Avenue. TEAM volunteers guitar, mandolin, bass, dulcimer, concertina, and vocals. Wild will work on Tuesdays and Carrot's entertaining and moving performances have often Thursdays through early April in been described as "honest, soothing, uplifting and fun all at hopes the family can move in by the same time", moving an audience from laughter to tears Easter (April 21). Work hours are and back again in a way that makes the listener feel like 8:50 a.m. to 3 p.m. No experience they're in a conversation with old friends. The trio takes its or particular skills are necessary. name from the Wild Carrot plant also known as Queen Training will be provided on site. Anne's Lace. The music of Wild Carrot has been described Contractors are employed by as being strong and complex but delicate and simple and Habitat to provide guidance and rooted the solid earth of tradition like the wild carrot. perform the more difficult Don't miss Pam Temple, Spencer Funk and Julia Higgins as tasks. More information is Wild Carrot in their return engagement with the Punta available on the TEAM website Gorda Isles Civic Association, 2001 Shreve St., Punta Gorda. at http://www.teampuntagorda.or The performance is cabaret style with tables and you can g/team-builds/ Contact the TEAM bring your own snacks and beverages. Public is welcome. For office at (941) 637-8326 if you more information and to purchase tickets for this and other would like to volunteer to work for concerts and cabarets at PGICA, please visit even just one day. Or sign up by www.PGICA.org or call 941-637-1655. Like us on Facebook. contacting

[email protected]. Contributions toward a gift Tip of the Day basket for the new owners or to offset some of the building costs can be sent to Team Punta Gorda, Be A Leader 227 Sullivan St., Suite 214, Punta Do not follow a path that's already made. Gorda, FL 33950. Please note that Go a different direction and make your own it is for the Team Builds!

Project. Charlotte County has a Question of the Week great need for affordable housing, said Mike Mansfield, How long is it going to stay cold? Habitat CEO. Habitat builds 30 to 35 new homes a year in Charlotte County. TEAM and Events for Week of Habitat also join forces annually to paint houses of the elderly, January 11 - January 20, 2019 low-income families, veterans and the disabled. Homes are not simply given to a family. They Remember to click this link to see events must work alongside the for these dates that are in flyer format. volunteers building their new home and be able to pay an UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS affordable mortgage. The family also must participate in financial The Orange House Wine Bar education and home maintenance 320 Sullivan St., Punta Gorda 941-505-8233 classes. Fri. January 11th: 7pm -10pm Back-to-back AWESOMENESS with Doug Cassens and Bill Fredericks NOVEMBER 2018 CHARLOTTE Sat. January 12th: 7pm-10 pm COUNTY TOURIST Round out another great weekend with two-time Emmy DEVELOPMENT TAX Award Winner Dave Powers and some great wine at The COLLECTIONS INCREASED Orange House. OVER NOVEMBER 2017

Today, the Punta January 11th - The Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) will Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & host Maestro Raffaele Ponti of the Charlotte Symphony Convention Bureau announced Orchestra and Guest Artist Tim McAllister, Saxophonist, Charlotte County Tourist for his "Behind the Notes" presentation. This entertaining Development Tax revenues and informative session will be held in the auditorium on the collected during November 2018 Charlotte Campus of Florida SouthWestern State College at totaled $198,701. This reflects a 26300 Airport Road in Punta Gorda. The Maestro will delight 4.8 percent increase over the audience by demonstrating how three components November 2017's collections of (composers, compositions and conductors) come together to $189,539. October 2018's create the enjoyment of a symphony concert. In each collections were up 6.3 percent session, he will choose specific techniques and different over October 2017's interpretations to show how the music evolves through the collections. "Although red tide "eyes and ears" of the Conductor. A special value from the was patchy in Charlotte County's Charlotte Symphony has been added to these presentations coastal areas during November, - a free drawing for two tickets to the Sunday concert we continued marketing areas not following each Behind the Notes session! affected by the harmful algal bloom," said Sean Doherty, January 13th - Charlotte Symphony Orchestra - Interim Tourism Director of the Wagner|Creston|Dvorak - Guest Artist, Tim McAllister, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Saxophonist. This concert includes the remarkable Visitor & Convention Bureau. He Symphony No. 6, Op. 60 by Dvorak, Wagner's stunning and added, "As the weather cools up moving Tannhauser Overture, and the Creston Concerto Alto north, visitation typically Saxophone, op. 26 featuring guest artist Tim McAllister. increases in Tickets are $55 and can be bought online beginning in November. The tourism bureau supported and/or at www.charlottesymphony.com or by calling our box office facilitated several events which M-F 1-5 pm at (941) 205-5996. All performances are held at brought in overnight visitors such the Charlotte Performing Arts Center located at 701 as the beginning of the AAU Carmalita Street in Punta Gorda. Pickleball National Championship, Big Orange Music Festival, Charlotte Players Englewood Beach WaterFest, Back by popular demand Charlotte Players will bring back Mind Abair's Punta Gorda Wine & Bianca & Tatiana on January 15th for another night of Drag Music Festival, and Prostyle Queen Bingo! Three games of Bingo with prizes and Sunshine Classic." entertainment by the Drag Queens. Must be 21 or older to Commissioned research conducted attend. Adult language. Located at the Langdon Playhouse, by Downs & St. German Research 1182 Market Circle in Port Charlotte. Showtime 7:30 pm. of Tallahassee estimated Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling (941) 255- overnight attendees of Englewood 1022 or online at www.charlotteplayers.org Beach WaterFest stayed 7.8 nights in Charlotte County and Drug Free Punta Gorda Coalition Meeting occupied 6,930 room nights in Tuesday January 15, 2019 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. local accommodations. at Hurricane Charley's. All are invited! Each Attendee will Charlotte County levies a 5 Purchase their own Lunch R.S.V.P. Requested to Monica percent tourist development tax Babcock at [email protected] or on accommodation stays 6 months 941-740-4358 or less, in addition to the 7 percent sales tax. The first 3 Hiring Event Tuesday, January 15th 9 am - 4 pm percent is spent for tourism At CareerSource Southwest Florida promotion and marketing support Port Charlotte, 3745 Tamiami Trail and the fourth and fifth percent RAMS, a construction staffing company, is looking for are used to fund the debt service Electricians on the bond for the renovations at Electrician Helpers the Charlotte Sports Park. During to work on commercial/residential new construction/service Fiscal Year 2017-2018 (Oct. 1 - jobs. They also offer a Jumpstart Program - get trained to Sept. 30), TDT collections totaled be an Electrician Helper. more than $4.1 million. During Sample of a pay scale: calendar year 2017, Charlotte - Licensed Electricians $22 to $24/hr County welcomed an estimated - Unlicensed-Journeyperson $18 to $22/hr 422,500 visitors, tourism - Mechanic $15 to $18/hr generated an estimated - Helpers $12 to $15/hr $380,841,400 in direct - Jumpstart Program - get trained to be an Electrician expenditures, and made an Helper $9 to $11.50/hr estimated $580,783,200 million What to do next: economic impact. Annually, the • Have your EmployFlorida.com profile up-to-date Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach • Come dressed for an interview Visitor & Convention Bureau • Bring your resume and 2 forms of ID conducts marketing, sales and • Come early to fill out employer's application promotional campaigns to increase Please contact Hans at 941.235.5900 x3236 for more awareness of and visitation to information Charlotte County. In addition to generating economic Visual Arts Center contributions, the Punta Come to Reception for new exhibits "Plein Air & Quickdraw" Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & and "The Bold & the Beautiful" Jan. 17 @ 5pm. Preview the Convention Bureau is also focused New Art & Supply Store inside the VAC! Call to Artists: on developing soft adventure or Primavera and Digital Photo Exhibits coming up- find a ecotourism, a low-impact industry prospectus @ visualartcenter.org. New classes begin the enabling the county to preserve week of Feb. 4th, register today at visualartcenter.org. The the invaluable natural resources Visual Arts Center is located @ 210 Maud St, Punta Gorda. that contribute to its ecological Gallery & Gift Shop Hours: M-F, 9-4 & Sat, 10-2. Find our health, distinguish the area and Calendar of Events at visualartscenter.org . draw visitors. Visit AdventureAndWildlife.com to The Charlotte County Concert Band presents view the destination's outdoor IF NOT FOR MUSIC adventure series called Adventure On Friday, January 18, at 7:30, the Charlotte County and Wildlife Hosted by the Shark Concert Band, under the direction of Bob Miller, will present Brothers. Learn more about Punta "If Not for Music" in the Charlotte Performing Arts Center Gorda/Englewood Beach by in Punta Gorda. You will not want to miss this exciting visiting PureFlorida.com. concert from start to finish! What if there was no music in

our world? Think what we would be missing. But we do have

music and at Charlotte County Band's January Concert you most definitely will hear some of the most exciting and descriptive pieces by internationally renowned composers and arrangers. We hope that you will join the band on Friday night, January 18, for this concert of international favorites. The Charlotte Performing Arts Center is on the campus of Charlotte High School located at 701 Carmalita Street, Punta Gorda, 33950. Tickets are available online at www.charlottecountyconcertband.com or at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center the night of the performance.

Government Day Learn about the many services and programs available in Charlotte County at this expo-style event. Ask questions and meet staff from parks & libraries, health department, elections, code compliance, CC-TV, driver license & vehicle registration, mosquito control, and much more. Saturday, Jan. 19 from 10-1 p.m. at the South Gulf Cove Pavilion, 14859 Ingraham Blvd., Port Charlotte. Light Refreshments available. Free parking & admission. Call 941.623.1092 for more information.

Kirkin 'O' The Tartan Burnt Store Presbyterian Church invites you to join us for a special service on Sunday January 20, 2019 at 11:00am as we once again celebrate "The Kirkin 'o' Tartan." While this service celebrates Scotland and Scottish heritage, it is truly a Scottish-American custom. The Kirkin "o" Tartan services as a remembrance of the liberties and religious freedom Scotts fought to preserve, including their influence on freedoms shared by all Americans. Join us as we gather to worship the Lord and celebrate our Presbyterian heritage with this special service that will include tartans, banners, and bagpipe music. For more information contact the church office at 639-0001 during normal business hours, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 9a.m. to Noon, on Friday or by e-mail to [email protected]. Burnt Store Presbyterian Church is a congregation committed to reaching up, making disciples, changing lives. The church is located at 11330 Burnt Store Road, Punta Gorda, just two miles south of the US 41/Burnt Store Road intersection.

CDBIA to host 6th Annual Sporting Clays Classic The Charlotte-DeSoto Building Industry Association invites you to join us in our 6th annual Sporting Clays Classic to be held on Sunday, January 20th at Sarasota Trap & Skeet Gun Club in Nokomis, Florida. Registration is at 8am, and the fun starts at 9am. Registration for each shooter includes breakfast, lunch, 50 targets, 12 or 20 gauge shotgun shells and golf cart, eyes and ear protection. Sarasota Trap & Skeet Club has a limited supply of shotguns available for rent for $10. Register before January 11th and the price is $400 per team of 4. After January 11th the price is $450.00 per team of 4. Golf carts are available for $25 per team. Individuals can register for $125 per person. Mulligans will be available for sale at the event. Prizes will be awarded to top team, and top male and top female. Continental breakfast will be served at 8am, and the fun begins at 9am. Sponsorship is available. To register click here: https://charlottedesotobia.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Ev ents/Register/QLmddnXP or fill out the form available by clicking here.

Member Information

Click Here for Member Info in Flyer Format

This box has been cleared to start over in the New Year. Send me your info that you want in here. [email protected]

Suncoast Ducts ATTENTION ALL LANDLORDS, tenants having issues with odors such as mold, smoke, pets or complaining about allergy like symptoms or headaches. You should clean their AC ducts. For the month of January, have Suncoast Ducts sanitize two of your properties and we'll do your personal residence FREE! Visit www.Suncoastducts.com or call 941- 822-9678

Powered by Life Flu season is upon us! Give your body a fighting chance by strenghtening your immune system. Did you know that you may be eating an ingredient everyday which causes inflammation, and is working against your body's natural immune system? Dr. Glidden shares some insight! Click Here

Job Opportunities

Roger D. Eaton, Charlotte County, Clerk & Comptroller is recruiting for a Finance Director. This is a FRS Sr. Mgmt. position offering full benefits. Responsible to direct the operations of the Comptroller Division, along with the oversight of Investment and Debt Management funds. Also, reviews all financial processes, programs and policies for efficiency and compliance. BA required. CPA and CFGIO certified is a plus, government accounting experience is desired. A generous compensation and benefits package is offered. Salary is based on experience. Apply to:www.CharlotteClerk.com , Employee Relations Menu, Job Listings tab for details.

Community News

Nominate a Business for the 2019 Leader Award These awards will be presented during the Annual Breakfast on February 1st at the Isles Yacht Club. The eligible categories are: Large Business, Small Business, and/or an Educational Institution. Feel free to share this information with as many people as you can. The Gulf Coast Partnership, in collaboration with the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, and Charlotte County Economic Development, will recognize businesses and educational institutions who were nominated by their peers as leaders in our community. These awardees are employers and educational institutions who enrich the lives of low income people in Charlotte County through employment, and supported employment programs such as work training, internships, and apprenticeships so they can join the local workforce. Nominate a Community Employer or Educational Institution Leader Today! Once a year, the Gulf Coast Partnership conducts a survey of the community to receive nominations for employers and educational institutions who enrich the lives of homeless and extremely low-income people in Charlotte County through employment, and supported employment programs such as work training, internships, and apprenticeships so they can join the local workforce. In February, business and government leaders come together to honor those organizations, nominated by their peers, who have implemented a special program or otherwise displayed vision in employment for those who are struggling. The Gulf Coast Partnership, in collaboration with the Director of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, and Director of Charlotte County Economic Development, present these awards. The 2018 Winners of the Community Leader Awards: Fawcett Memorial Hospital, A & E Auto, Patrice Weston State Farm Insurance, and Charlotte Technical College. Together Charlottewill share the progress they made with the 2018 Focus on Charlotte County's Housing Crisis and release of the 20/20 Housing Report as well as announcing their 2019 Focus Area. Either email your recommendation to [email protected] or click here to submit a nomination.

Sincerely,

John Wright President Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce

Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce | 941-639-3720 | [email protected] | http://www.puntagordachamber.com 252 W. Marion Avenue Punta Gorda, FL 33950

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