The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, March 13, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. 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.

Thursday, Feb. 26
    Chamber Quarterly Publication Day
MARCH MEETINGS
Wednesday, Mar. 4, Noon
    Ambassadors/Delegates Lunch
Tues., Wed., Mar. 10, 11
    Leadership Bartow XVI
        in Tallahassee for
        Polk County Day
Thursday, Mar. 12, 5:15 p.m.
    Frost Van den Boom Fun Thursday
        395 S. Central Ave.
Friday, Mar. 13, 8:00 a.m.
    Committee of 100
        Convene at
        POLK STATE COLLEGE
        Clear Springs Advanced
        Technology Center
Wednesday, Mar. 18, 11:30 a.m.
   30th Annual Mayor's
        Prayer Luncheon
        Bartow Civic Center
Friday, Mar. 20, 4:00 p.m.
   Palmer Insurance
    Crosswired Electric
    Ribbon-cutting
        also ENGAGE FAB FRIDAY

Event Date: April 10, 2015, Bartow Golf Course. Sponsorships available! Call Linda Holcomb for more information, 863-533-7125.

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

   Now that Barn Boogie is a memory, I think it's time to start thinking about the Chamber's role in economic development.

The Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce is working to attract new businesses, as well as expand and retain existing businesses in Bartow and the surrounding area.

The Chamber's primary goal is to facilitate business recruitment, identify growth opportunities for existing businesses, help accomplish economic development initiatives for the City of Bartow, and monitor economic trends and conditions.

While this is certainly a big task for any organization, with the help of our community partners such as the City of Bartow, Bartow's CRA, and Main Street Bartow, we can work together to improve the quality of life for Bartow's citizens. We also look to other stakeholders such as Polk County Board of County Commissioners, Polk State College, Clear Springs, EPAC, to name a few.

In the coming weeks and months, you'll be hearing more about a coalition of these and other stakeholders interesting in Bartow's future. Stay tuned!

Until next time,
Sharon Casey
Community Southern Bank, VP
Chamber President, 2015

CONSTRUCTION-CONTRACTORS
Precision Wallboard of Polk Co., Inc.
Mr. Michael DeZarn
3060 Winter Lake Rd.
Lakeland, FL 33840
(863) 669-9460
Join Date: 01/29/2015

COMMERCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
Lanier Upshaw, Inc.
Mr. Scott Whitener
1115 US Hwy 98 S.
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 838-7096
www.lanierupshaw.com
Join Date: 02/02/2015

PLUMBING
Greenwise Plumbing
Mr. John Cekala
(863) 398-1370
website
Join Date: 02/05/2015

Main Street Farmers' Market To Be On Wednesdays
Main Street Bartow is looking to re-launch their Farmers Market tentatively scheduled for March 4, 2015, at Fort Blount Park, at the corner of Main Street and Broadway Avenue in downtown Bartow. The market will be held each Wednesday from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Main Street Bartow is currently seeking vendors offering top quality fresh products ranging from local produce to seasonal flowers, sauces and jellies, artisan crafts, and handcrafted soaps and lotions. The vendor fee for a 12’ x 12’ space is $20.00 per Wednesday paid monthly in advance, or $25 on an occasional basis. For further information or a Farmers Market Vendor Form, contact Main Street Bartow at 863-519-0508, or email lsimpson@mainstreetbartowfl.com.

 “BACK TO THE FUTURE II” AT MOVIES ON THE LAWN FEBRUARY 27
Follow up your February 21 SyFy Saturday experience by going “Back to the Future II” at the next Movies on the Lawn on Friday, February 27, with this second of the three films in the popular comic science fiction film series. Concessions will be provided by the Bartow High School Travel Club. The event is free and suitable for the entire family. Those attending are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. Movies on the Lawn takes place the fourth Friday of each month and is presented by Main Street Bartow. For further information, call 863-519-0508.
 

Thursday's Chocolate Charms and Chamber, Executive Director Jeff Clark rolled out a new event: BUSINESS OF THE MONTH. Spath Jewelers became the first business to display the "IT PAYS TO BUY LOCAL" eight foot banner, which also let's shoppers know that Spath's is the Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month.
ABOUT SPATH JEWELERS:
"We have been blessed to have the opportunity to serve our wonderful customers and friends in Florida with our retail locations in Bartow and Valrico, Florida for a combined 38+ years," said owner Tina Spath. Spath Jewelers is an industry leader for repairs and custom design. Spaths has four jewelers on-site that have over 70 years of combined experienceassuring customers the highest degree of quality work. Spath's offers custom design work, insurance appraisals, on-site jewelry repair, expert watch repair, layaway and financing programs. Spath Jewelers also carries the finest selection of loose diamonds and fine jewelry, and features Bulova, Citizen, Pulsar, Private Label, Fossil, Seiko and reconditioned Rolex Watches at the lowest prices around. For more information, click here.

   Leadership Bartow Class XVI attended Agriculture Day, which began with a tour of Haines City Citrus Growers Assn. We learned that only about half of what citrus products were usually processed at the plant were being sorted and boxed, due to "Greening" of the trees in Florida. And although the University of Florida is doing research on how to irradicate the deadly disease, so far there is no cure. On a brighter note - we all looked cute in our hairnets.

Florida SBDC Is Available At
Bartow Chamber On Mar. 12
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 March 12, 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.

Movies on the Lawn
02/27/2015

10 Habits of Successful Restaurants
02/27/2015

Paws To Read
02/28/2015

Thanks to our Sponsors!
PRESENTING SPONSOR: SEMCO Construction
Cornhold Sponsor: Evolve Professional Landscaping
Stetson Sponsor: McGee Tire
Auction Sponsor: ASHLAND
Entertainment Sponsor: Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Dinner Sponsors: A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure, and Fleet Products
Pardner Sponsors: Bartow Badcock Home Furniture & More Store, Bartow Ford, Bartow Regional Medical Center, City of Bartow, Peace Valley Enterprises, Polk County Democrat, Stingray Chevrolet.
Wrangler Sponsors: Baylis & Company PACPAS, Bernie Little Distributors, CenterState Bank, Community Southern Bank, Spath Jewelers, Spherion Staffing.
Buckaroo Sponsors: All Racked Up BBQ, Mosaic and State Farm-Michell Githens.



More coming up in next edition!