The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, August 14, 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.

ELECTRICAL - CONTRACTORS
Aveco, Inc.
Miss Rachel Lawrence
730 Creative Dr., Suite 7
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 225-5912
website
Join Date:05/15/2015

COMMUNITY ACTION & HUMAN SERVICES
Neighbor To Family
Ms. Heather Monteath, MA
1350 E. Main St., Suite A6
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 537-7712
website
Join Date:05/29/2015

RESTAURANT
JK'S Cafe
Mr. Todd L. Sapulski, Sr.
211 1st Ave., NW
Mulberry, FL 33860
(863) 775-8224
Join Date:06/22/2015

SBDC Is Available At
Chamber On July 9
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 July 9, 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.

JUNE/JULY
Now-July 21, every Tuesday
Biz Kids Program

4th Of July Celebration
Chamber closed July 3, 2015.

Thursday, July 9, 7:30 a.m.
SCORE/CHAMBER
Roundtable, FREE to memebers

Thursday, July 9, 5:15 p.m.
Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge
Jeep Ram Fun Thursday
1425 W. Main Street, Bartow

Friday, July 17, 5:00 p.m.
ENGAGE Social at
The Wine Stable
also:
STUFF THE BUS Kickoff

July 21, 23, 28, 30
5:30-8:30 p.m.
Bartow Retail Academy
at DMAR Business Centers
300 E. Summerlin St., Bartow

Click here to read the Spring Business Quarterly Magazine!
















Want to find a retail or service business? Click here.

    The Fourth of July is this weekend already. I guess the old adage is true, "Time flies when you're having fun!"
You’d think that in the Summer things would slow down at the Chamber - but, actually things are getting very busy for our “slow” time of year.
     Your Chamber is having a busy year, and I would like to bring you up-to-date on some of our programs and activities.
     Membership Vice President Emily Spath Clark and the Delegates and Ambassadors are all working hard to keep the organization strong; and although it’s still tough out there, Emily and her team are working hard to grow and retain our membership. Me and the rest of the Board of Directors are excited to be a part of all of their efforts on behalf of the Chamber.
     During the first half of the year, the Chamber has been involved with many community events including ribbon-cuttings and open houses for new and expanding businesses;  Just Say No Luncheon; Spirit of Bartow Luncheon; Leadership XVI Class Days; ENGAGE Lunch and Learns and Socials; Pig-Out Bartow!, and the Chamber Golf Tourney, just to name a few.
     The Chamber also partners with the City of Bartow and Bartow’s Community Redevelopment Agency as part of the Bartow Marketing Partnership (BMP). You probably have seen a lot of this group’s work - Bartow’s new banners, entryway signs, etc., all promoting Bartow, where, “Our History Comes to Life.” The BMP has also been very successful with its welcoming program, “Hello, Bartow!” Each new resident receives a welcome basket full of information, business give-aways and coupons. Over 250 baskets have been distributed since the beginning of the year.
      It amazes me how the staff can keep up with all that’s happening. I know they do, because of the support they receive from Bartow’s Chamber membership. Thank you, for your continued support!
Until next week,
Sharon Casey
Community Southern Bank, VP
Chamber President, 2015

Kelley Buick GMC Staff, Kyle Davis, Patty Currier and J.C. Martin along with Chamber Membership Director Barbara Adamson (third from left), proudly display the Chamber's Business of the Month banner at the dealership located at 255 W. Van Fleet Drive, Bartow. For more information, call 863-440-5025.

Business of the Month of June is . . .
Kelley Buick GMC
At Kelley Buick GMC, the motto is: "Do whatever it takes to earn your business," and at the dealership the staff would like to show you that they are committed to putting the customer first. You won't find high pressure sales people, just friendly, reliable and knowledgeable staff who will help you find what you're looking for in a used or new car, truck or SUV. The used car section can't be beat, and the  every vehicle is inspected before it goes on the lot to ensure it meets the high standards of the award-winning Bartow dealership, Kelley Buick GMC.
BTW, JC Martin wants you to know, "We would like to offer 5% off on your service bill when you take a Buick test drive." COOL DEAL!

We have two very exciting Chamber trips coming up:
Call Linda Holcomb, 533-7125, for more information!

An open house and ribbon-cutting took place for Neighbor To Family on June 24 at 1350 E. Main Street, in the breezeway of the Bartow Community Healthcare Foundation building. Special guests including Gordon Johnson, NTF Founder, President and CEO; Bill Nunnally, Chief Quality and Performance Officer, Heartland For Children; and Heather Monteath, NTF - Bartow, Executive Director; as well as City Officials, Chamber Board of Directors, Ambassadors and Delegates of the Chamber. Neighbor To Family's mission is to revolutionize foster care by keeping siblings together while building healthier families and stronger communities. For more information, visit the NTF website.

Mark your calendars for July 17, 2015, because ENGAGE Chamber Young Professionals are planning activities for the entire Chamber membership, you won't want to miss!

The kickoff for the annual STUFF THE BUS initiative, a program that helps more than 3,000 homeless students in Polk County, is Friday, July 17. The program will run through August 7, so bring school supplies to the Chamber; or to the ENGAGE Social, which will be held July 17 at The Wine Stable at 5:00 p.m.

EVERYONE who is a member of the Chamber is invited to attend the Social, hosted by ENGAGE. Immediately following is Main Street Bartow's FRIDAY FEST, 6:00 p.m., downtown Bartow. It's going to be a great evening of fun!

BARTOW RETAIL ACADEMY TO TEACH
MARKETING & SALES TACTICS TO BUSINESSES
      Polk County business owners are invited to learn new marketing and sales tactics for their small businesses at the Bartow Retail Academy, beginning July 21 at DMAR Business Center, 300 East Summerlin Street, Bartow. The Academy, presented by Main Street Bartow, Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, Bartow’s Community Redevelopment Agency, and the Florida Small Business Development Center at University of South Florida, will include four seminars for just $120. The seminars take place June July 21, 23, 28 & 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
      Businesses in the Bartow CRA District qualify for a scholarship and can register by calling Main Street Bartow at 863-519-0508 or Greater Bartow Chamber at 863-533-7125.

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
COMING UP
Theme: FREEDOM FOREVER
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Everyone is invited to a fun and exciting day of Celebrating our Independence. For a complete schedule of the day's events on Saturday, please click on the link below!
  

ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL . . .
Bartow’s Purple Heart Committee and The Bartow Area Chamber Foundation, Inc. need your help in honoring our local PurpleHeart and POW Veterans. Monuments will be erected in theirmemory at the Civic Plaza located on Davidson Street, across from the Polk County History Center in Downtown Bartow. Your tax-deductible gift, in its entirety, will be used to fund a Purple Heart Memorial and a POW Memorial similar to the ones pictured below. The goal is to raise $25,000 that will be used to erect the memorials and necessary enhancements to accommodate these important tributes to those who have fought to protect our freedoms. Donations may be dropped off at the Chamber.

USDA SUBSIDIZED ENERGY AUDITS FOR
ELIGIBLE SMALL BUSINESS OFFERED
IN FLORIDA COMMUNITIES
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program offers Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Loans & Grants to qualifying small businesses and agriculture operations. An energy audit is required to develop projected savings for the proposed efficiency improvements such as adding insulation, high-efficiency lighting, or an air conditioner replacement. These grants and loans are also available for business owners seeking renewable energy systems, such as solar electric.

Looking for a commercially zoned lot, building for rent or to buy for your business? Please check out this site :

You'll get to create an account for free and check out MLS commercial listings for Bartow.
For a downloadable CRA District map, click here, scroll down and look under IMPORTANT LINKS in the right hand column of the Chamber's website.

$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.