SCORE ROUNDTABLE IN BARTOW COMING UP
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! FREE to Business Owners and those interested in starting a business, on the second Thursday of each month, 7:30-8:30 a.m. at the Chamber: The popular SCORE Roundtable for businesses! Join us the 2nd Thursday of every month as we explore various topics of interest to our members. Chamber Business Roundtable is brought to you through the partnership between SCORE, Polk County SBA Center and the Chamber. To register, go to www.bartowchamber.com, or you may click here.
NEXT ROUNDTABLE: The Essentials of Social Media
25th ANNIVERSARY OF JUST SAY NO
It's hard to believe, but on Wednesday, May 5, 2015, we'll be celebrating 25 years of the Community-based public education effort, JUST SAY NO to drugs. If you'd like to donate to help fund this program, send your check payable to "JUST SAY NO" to CenterState Bank, ATTN: Anita Stasiak, 1375 N. Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL 33830. Thank you for your consideration to help support this struggle against drugs!
NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS
MUSICAL ORGANIZATIONS
The Orpheum Theatre and Academy of Performing Arts
Ms. Jenny Heidtman
Bartow, FL 33830
(718) 408-0653
website
Join Date: 03/12/2015
INSURANCE AGENCIES
LegalShield
Mr. Clive Harding
Winter Haven, FL 33884
(863) 324-1058
website
Join Date: 03/13/2015
ASSNS, CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS
Mid-Florida SHRM
Ms. Andrea Prather
(863) 640-2459
website
Join Date: 03/30/2015
BOTTLED WATER & FILTER COOLER SYSTEMS
Water Boy, Inc.
Mr. Scott McLaughlin
1808 Olive St.
Lakeland, FL 33815
(800) 346-6080
website
Join Date:04/01/2015
ACCOUNTING/BOOKKEEPING/ TAX SERVICE
Small Business Accounting
Ms. Sheree Vickers
1135 W. Clinton St.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 712-0894
Join Date:04/13/2015
CHAMBER EVENTS & MEETINGS
Meetings are at the Chamber unless listed otherwise.
APRIL
Monday, April 20, 4:00 p.m.
Bluegrass and Gospel Heritage
Committee Meeting
Tuesday, April 21, 3:30 p.m.
Executive Committee
Tuesday, April 21, 4:00 p.m.
Board of Directors
Thursday, April 23, 3:30 p.m.
Community Relations Committee
Bartow City Hall
Tuesday, April 28, 4:00 p.m.
Bartow Marketing Partnership
Wednesday, April 29, 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Professional Development
Academy
Sherran Spurlock
Small Business Development
Polk State College Clear Springs
Advanced Technology Center
310 Technology Dr., Bartow MAY Dates here.
COMMITTEE OF 100
The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, April 10, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. Committee of 100 meetings are held at the Health and Life Center (old Hospital), 1239 E. Main Street. If you are interested in becoming a member of this prestigious group, contact Chairman Brian Hinton at (863) 533-4196. CLICK FOR A LIST OF MEMBERS
CLASSIFIEDS
$25 per run (up to 35 words), call 533-7125 or email Virginia.
COMMERCIAL RENTAL SPACE perfect for small business client consultation and/or satellite office space in Polk County's county seat. Minutes from the courthouse and county administration buildings. The 40-600 square foot move in ready space is located at 1480 N. Broadway Ave., Suite C in Bartow. Rental rates $450-$650 per month. Interested parties should call (863) 559-3180 or (863) 559-0101.
PROFESSIONAL OFFICE BUILDING FOR SALE Furnished: $2500 square feet; $250,000. 690 E. Davidson Street, Bartow, FL 33830. Former law office in excellent condition, only 6 blocks from the Polk County Courthouse. Large foyer and central work area with multiple high-end filing cabinets, surrounded by 6 private offices and library/conference room, with built-in bookshelves, kitchenette, 2 ceramic tile bathrooms, 1 shower stall, cable, and security system. Corner lot with plenty of off-street parking. Excellent location in County Seat for any enterprise dealing with state and local government. Contact Chuck Bentley at (863) 533-7733 or email Chuck.
RESERVE YOUR SPACE NOW FOR THE MAGAZINE
 Reserve your space now in the Summer Chamber Quarterly Magazine and hand your business card out to more than 20,000 households for only $85 per issue. Call Barbara Adamson at 863-533-7125 for more information. |
FROM THE PRESIDENT:
A major benefit to becoming a Bartow Leadership class member, (and you may ask any one of the graduates from this Chamber program about this), is the opportunity in making lasting friendships with those in other professions.
Leadership Bartow Class members’ participation in the class project, “Pig Out! Bartow” is above average. Pig Out! Bartow is a fundraising event for the Chamber that just could not happen without the support from our Leadership networking professionals. Leadership is involved in every aspect of the barbecue, from cooking the meat, to putting together meals, to delivering them. And they have a wonderful time working on it as good friends.
By the way, have you gotten your tickets yet? Don’t miss out on some of the best barbecue around. Call Linda Holcomb at the Chamber, or click on the pig below to order yours today.
Another networking opportunity is coming up at the monthly Fun Thursday. This signature event for May is hosted by Madrid Engineering Group, Inc., a geotechnical engineering firm that has dubbed this Fun Thursday, “Sinkhole de Mayo.” Happening right after work, you can expect fun and delicious party food and giveaways; and who knows? You may be asked to smack a pinata! There is a lot of focus on fun at this event; but there is also a great opportunity to connect to other members in your Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce.
Until next week,
Sharon Casey
Community Southern Bank, VP
Chamber President, 2015
SPIRIT OF BARTOW 2015
The May joint civic club luncheon, the annual Spirit of Bartow Awards, is set for Wednesday, May 13, 2015, at the Bartow Civic Center, where individuals and/or groups will be honored for their contributions to the Bartow community and whose accomplishments made a positive impact on the area’s quality of life.
Recognized at the luncheon will also be the Bartow Chamber Diplomats, a special group of volunteers who donate their time to operating the Chamber’s Visitors and Welcome Center. Some Diplomats work in the front office, while others continue to help with the newsletter, special projects and events.
Public safety professionals of the year for EMT, firefighter and Bartow police officer will be given awards.
The event, including lunch, is $10. Watson Clinic and the Center for Cancer Care and Research are luncheon sponsors.
The serving line opens at 11:45 a.m., and the program begins at noon. For more information, please contact Linda Holcomb at the Bartow Chamber, (863) 533-7125.
NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR SPIRIT OF BARTOW HERE.
Carver Young receives a Spirit of Bartow award from another winner of the award in 2014, Dr. Thomas McMicken.
ORDER PIG OUT! BARTOW MEALS HERE
CLICK ON THE PIG AND ORDER YOUR MEALS TODAY!
SIGN UP AT THE CHAMBER WEBSITE!
Polk State Corporate College, Bartow Chamber
Partner for Professional Development Academy
Polk State College and the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce are partnering to create a series of seminars and classes for local professionals.
The Greater Bartow Chamber Professional Development Academy's next workshop is at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at the Polk State Clear Springs Advanced Technology Center, 310 Technology Drive in Bartow.
The initial installment of the Academy, “Business Development and Marketing Tips for Small Businesses,” will be presented by Sherran Spurlock, a Consultant and Business Development Trainer. Cost is $39 per person.
Click here to sign up today!
HAMPTON INN GROUNDBREAKING
City leaders and developers took a few ceremonial digs into the dirt at the groundbreaking ceremony on April 14, 2015, for a new 89 room Hampton Inn hotel being built in Bartow. The Hampton Inn will be located at 205 Old Bartow Eagle Lake Road, near several local businesses including; McDonald’s and KFC to the west and a strip mall to the south.
The hotel is slated to open in December 2015 and will include space for complimentary; breakfast service, fitness center, business center, outdoor pool and also have flexible meeting space. Upon entering, guests will be welcomed with complimentary coffee service in the lobby and ample parking will surround the building. Each guestroom will be well appointed with the latest of Hilton brand linen and amenities custom designed for the Hampton Inn flag. The four story Hampton Inn hotel is the latest venture for Beechwood Development, LLC. & Beechwood Hotel Group, LLC, will be the seventh hotel in their portfolio.
Bartow Mayor Pat Huff, commented, “The Hampton Inn will be a great addition to the City of Bartow. Bartow is poised for tremendous growth in the next few years, and we’re very pleased to have Hampton Inn kick off a number of new upcoming economic development projects.”
Chamber President Sharon Casey, said that the Hampton Inn is an exciting project that comes at a very exciting time for the local business community. "We are proud and honored for the investment in our City.”
TBC 24 FITNESS RIBBON-CUTTING
The TBC 24 Fitness' north Lakeland gym had a ribbon-cutting on April 13. The new gym is located at 5121 US Hwy. 98 North. Mark Bodine cuts the ceremonial red ribbon with staff and Chamber members. The south location is at 5705 S. Florida Avenue. For more information, visit www.tbc24fitness.com or call 937-8996.
OASIS SALON & DAY SPA RIBBON-CUTTING
A Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting for Oasis Salon & Day Spa took place on April 15. Christal Hall cut the ceremonial red ribbon before a large crowd of well-wishers. Sharon Casey presents Ms. Hall with the First Clear Dollar of Profit.
MEMBER MICRONEWS
KNOW SOMEONE LOOKING FOR A JOB?
Spherion Staffing, located at 1925 E. Edgewood Dr. Lakeland, FL 33803, has over 50+ General Labor positions with a Pre-Cast Concrete company in Bartow Florida paying $12 per hour with excellent overtime opportunity!
TO APPLY, please come to the Spherion office Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm to fill out an application. All applicants must be able to work in a construction type environment being exposed to the Florida elements. Spherion Staffing is located at 1925 E. Edgewood Dr., Lakeland 33803. For more information, call 863-667-0800.
RR IMPROVEMENTS ON 60 AND CR555
SR 60 Roadway and Rail Road Crossing Improvement Projects from west of Diesel Road to east of CR 555; SR 37 from SE 3rd Street to SR 60; West of Nichols Road to east of Prairie Industrial Parkway: Construction project: Expect lane closures on SR 60, both eastbound and westbound for pipe crossing reconstruction, paving and railroad crossing repair. Observe posted speed limits and watch for changes in the traffic pattern.
Expected project completion is fall 2015, weather permitting. The contractor is The Lane Construction Corporation. read more...
ENGAGE FAB FRIDAY COMING UP!
MAY 15, 2015, 5:00 p.m: Fab Friday for our Chamber Young Professionals is coming up! If you are between the ages of 21 and 42 and are interested in networking with other young professionals, please come to the ENGAGE social, Fab Friday. For information about ENGAGE or if you'd like to sign up as a member, check out the Chamber's website, www.bartowchamber.com. FAB FRIDAY will take place at The Villages at Laurel Meadows, 100 Laurel Circle, Bartow, FL 33830.
POLK EMERGING LEADERS AWARDS
NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY FOR
POLK EMERGING LEADERS AWARDS
Tuesday, August 11, 2015 - 6:00 PM - Bartow Civic Center - 2250 Floral Ave, Bartow, FL 33830
The annual Polk Emerging Leaders Awards will once again be a collaborative event of the three young professional groups in Polk County. Continuing a new era of collaboration and blurring the east/west dividing line, the awards have been established to annually recognize five young professionals between 21- 42 who have made significant contributions and commitment to the Polk County community.
To nominate an individual for the Polk Emerging Leader Awards, simple fill out the form below between April 13 and May 31, 2015. The nominee will be notified of the nomination and asked to complete an application to provide more information. The nominee will be emailed the application but it can also be downloaded here.
MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES
40 YEARS
The Style Shop
15 YEARS
Carolyn's Gallery
Highland City Elementary
10 YEARS
Simpson's Pest Control
Rogers Upholstery
5 YEARS
Perkins and Marie Callender's, Inc.
SMALL BUSINESS HELP IS ON ITS WAY
Florida SBDC Is Available At
Bartow Chamber On May 14
The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at University of South Florida, assists existing and emerging businesses in Polk County, through no-cost confidential business consulting, and low-cost training. Consultants can assist entrepreneurs in a variety of business topics, including: marketing, business certification, capital access, market diversification, developing strategic business plans, export services, and web optimization. A consultant will be at the Chamber on May 14, 2015 and available to Chamber Businesses. To schedule an appointment, visit www.bartowchamber.com and follow the links on the home page, or call (863) 678.4182, ext. 227.
SINKHOLE DE MAYO COMING MAY 7!
2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Sharon Casey, President
Community Southern Bank
Myrtice Young, Immediate Past President
Polk County Board of County Commissioners
Jennifer Hall, President-elect, Vice President
SEMCO Construction
Gail Smith, Treasurer
Community Southern Bank
Emily Spath Clark, Vice President
Spath Jewelers
Clint Edwards, Vice President
Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Rob Clancey, Vice President
Polk State College
Carole McKenzie, Vice President
Polk County Farm Bureau
Shannon Medley, Vice President
Florida Industrial and Phosphate
Research Institute
DIRECTORS
David Carmichael
Boswell & Dunlap, LLP
Lennon Jordan
Madrid Engineering Group
Jeremy M. Katzmann, MD
Watson Clinic
Jeff Kincart
A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure
J.C. Martin
Kelley Buick GMC
Phil Minden
Bartow Regional Medical Center
Callie Neslund
Mosaic
Josh Palmer
Palmer Insurance Agency, Inc.
Freda Ridgway
Mosaic
Carlos Sandoval
Bartow Ford Company
David Sandow
Spherion Staffing
Anita Stasiak
CenterState Bank
Lea Ann Thomas
Polk County Board of County Commissioners
Valerie Tillmon
Citizens Bank & Trust |
