The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, September 11, 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.

COMIC BOOKS
Main Street Comics & Memorabilia
Mr. John Harrison
415 E. Main St., Suite C
Bartow, FL 33830
Join Date:07/06/2015

RESTAURANT
Joshua's Kitchen
Mr. Todd L. Sapulski, Sr.
2020 Shepherd Rd.
Mulberry, FL 33860
(863) 701-7230
Join Date:07/08/2015

BUSINESS MARKETING CONSULTANTS
Alphagraphics
Mr. George Byfield
4130 S. Florida Ave.
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 646-5699
website
Join Date: 07/15/2015

SPORTS BAR
The Wine Stable
Mr. Fred Martin
150 S. Broadway Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 232-2785
Join Date: 07/20/2015

RETAIL STORES
Purple Cloudz
Mr. Eric Bell
2405 EF Griffin Rd., Suite 4
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 733-4814
website
Join Date: 07/22/2015

Restaurants/Gift Boutique
Sweet Magnolias Café & Gift Shop
Ms. Sandy Mendez
125 & 139 S. Central Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 537-6083
Join Date; 07/30/2015
 
Painters-Commercial/Residential
Goff Painting, Inc.
Mr. Cory Goff
Winter Haven, FL 33880
(863) 877-5252
Join Date: 07/30/2015
 
Web Design
Torch Designs, LLC
Mr. Kevin Farnsworth
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 614-0029
website
Join Date: 07/30/2015
 

Click here to read the Spring Business Quarterly Magazine!
















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

     I was so excited to see the wonderful article in The Ledger last week written about the rich history that we have here in Bartow.
     Of course they could only highlight a few: The Polk County History Center, the L.B. Brown House, Summerlin Institute, a beautiful historical home on Church Street, the offices of Gibson & Wirt and the Oak Hill Cemetery.
     I have been to all of those places except one, the cemetery. You may find this odd, but I love browsing through old cemeteries; so I don't know how I have missed this gem. But . . . as soon as the weather cools off a bit, I plan to remedy this and peruse this historic cemetery and see who I can see!  I have read that Jacob Summerlin is buried there, so I will look for him first. Please let me know if you would like to join me as I take a stroll through Oak Hill.
     I love this small town and the history and stories that it holds. I look forward to learning more.
 
Until next week,
Sharon Casey
Community Southern Bank, VP
Chamber President, 2015

Left to right, Barbara Adamson, Bartow Chamber; Tim Jones and Katby (Kat) Farer Mullins of Tim Jones Barber Shop.

Business of the Month for August is . . .
TIM JONES BARBER SHOP
We are a friendly small town barber shop with a comfortable atmosphere. We offer discounts to policemen, firemen, active duty military and Summerlin Academy students. Come in and pick up your customer loyalty card, and the 10th haircut is on us! Tim Jones Barber Shop is located at 170 S. Wilson Ave., Bartow. Call 863-224-6114 for more information.

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

STUFF THE BUS NOW ONGOING!

Please join the ENGAGE Chamber Young Professionals in gathering school supplies for Polk's Homeless and Low Income Students. Won't you help? DeeDee Wright, Homeless Liaison with the Polk County School Board, said that last year ENGAGE helped 853 homeless students in Polk County receive school supplies!
     DeeDee also sent us a list of what's needed most this year: 3-prong folders, notebook paper, spiral notebooks, composition notebooks, color pencils, markers, highlighters, scissors, flash drives and empty book bags. All of these items may be dropped off at the Chamber from now until 5:00 p.m. on August 7, 2015.

Now through August 7, 2015
ENGAGE STUFF THE BUS
Bring school supplies to the Chamber now through August 7th and help homeless Polk County students.
 
Tuesday, August 11, 6:00 p.m.
EMERGING LEADERS AWARDS BANQUET
Bartow Civic Center
2250 S. Floral Avenue, Bartow
BUY TICKETS HERE.

Thursday, August 13, 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.
SCORE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION, Tax Tips with Baylis & Co., PA
Sign up here.

Thursday, August 13, all day
FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER Representative Available to All Chamber Business Members. Call to schedule an appointment: (863) 678.4182, ext. 227.

Thursday, August 13, 5:15 p.m.
TOM EDWARDS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FUN THURSDAY
1425 W. Main Street, Bartow

Friday, August 14, 9:30 a.m.
MAIN STREET COMICS & MEMORABILIA RIBBON-CUTTING
415 E. Main Street, Bartow
Come dressed as your fav character, if you'd like!

COMMUTER SERVICES SELECTED 2015 ACT AWARD RECIPIENT
     Congratulations to Florida Department of Transportation District One Commuter Services Program, recently selected by the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) to receive the 2015 Marketing & Outreach under $5,000—Transportation Management Association (TMA) Award.
      Tindale Oliver is proud to be part of the Commuter Services Program’s project team.
      Commuter Services was chosen for the award based on its dedication to employing low-cost, creative marketing through customized program development, proactive marketing, worksite activities that incorporate community resources, and collaborative event marketing. The Program takes an innovative approach to connecting commuters and communities throughout Southwest Florida—examples include the successful outreach activities conducted during National Bike Month and Bike to Work Day. All activities were conducted on a large scale, with limited staff and a small budget.

SBDC Is Available At
Chamber On August 13
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 August 13, 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.

UF-IFAS Sustainable Business Solutions
FREE Brown Bag Lunch & Learn
     Join UF/IFAS Extension Agent, Shannon Carnevale to learn and discuss how environmental issues affect your business, and discover practical solutions to help create a more beautiful, resilient Polk County. The Lunch and Learn takes place at the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, 510 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830 (in the conference room).

ENERGY: Thursday, August 6, noon - 1 p.m.
How can I get the most out of my electricity?
How does my energy use affect the community?
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER: (Limit 18)

PLUS!  Faucet Aerator Exchange Program: Interested participants can bring in their
sink faucet aerators can exchange them for FREE water-smart replacements.

REGISTER NOW! BRING YOUR LUNCH FOR THIS FREE EVENT, sponsored by UF-IFAS Extension Office.

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.