This week I want to share with you some exciting news about our Bartow Main Street area. We are going to “paint the town”!

Main Street Bartow has established a fantastic partnership with VALSPAR paints. The Main Street Bartow, Inc. Design Committee wanted to create a color palette of desired paint colors that would improve the aesthetics of downtown. The discussion centered around a drafted list of “design standards” that was created a few years earlier.  After some discussion of the committee, then chairman, Dan McDaniels, mentioned he knew some folks at Valspar.

The team from Valspar came to Bartow to create a color palette that would complement the architecture throughout the area’s historic district.  This was the first effort of its kind for Valspar.  Before the team recommended colors and color pairings, they researched the architecture styles, the time periods represented, and assessed the regional character.  Their initial color suggestions were then reviewed and received feedback from the Main Street Bartow Design Committee, the Main Street Bartow Board of Directors, the Bartow Community Redevelopment Agency, and the City’s Historic Architecture Review Board.

Along with providing the color expertise, Valspar contacted Bartow ACE Hardware (a Valspar distributor) and secured an incentive of a 20% discount to accompany the launch of the “Historic Bartow” colors.

The palettes were approved in September of 2015 and Valspar was given the go ahead to create the “Historic Bartow” color palette.   Beginning this week, the official Valspar color brochures and display boards will be in place at the Bartow ACE Hardware.  Main Street Bartow, Inc. has received the 20% discount coupons and are ready to start distributing.  The discounts are available to property owners, both residential and commercial along Main Street and located in Bartow’s Historic District, are eligible to receive the 20% discount from Bartow ACE Hardware when they select a color from the Historic Bartow color palette. They have to receive the coupon from the Main Street office, located at 180 S. Central Ave., in Bartow, so the property’s location can be verified.  “We also want to obtain before and after photos of the participating properties, to help show the success and impact of the program,” stated Simpson.

The discount runs until December 31, 2016; however, the color palette will remain.  “The color palette is ours.  It has our name on it and it makes quite an impression when we share it with potential property owners,” state Simpson.  For more information, or to verify if your property qualifies, contact Main Street Bartow, Inc. at 863-519-0508, or visit the office at 180 S. Central Ave., Bartow, FL  33830 (M-F, 9:30am – 2pm).  

Jennifer Hall
Your Chamber President, 2016

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

CHAMPIONS CUP
Champions Cup was created to recognize and honor businesses and organizations that have championed exemplary best practices, and have had a positive influence on the economic well being of the area's business environment. Congratulations to the 2015 Champions Cup Winners! Here they are:

(All meetings are in the Chamber Boardroom unless otherwise noted.)

APRIL
Wednesday, April 13, 7:30 a.m.
Business 2 Business
BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE

Wednesday, April 13, 1:30 p.m.
DIPLOMATS' BIRTHDAY PARTY
Happy Birthday Jo Robertson and Fred Egli!

Thursday, April 14, 5:15 p.m.
BARTOW COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE
FOUNDATION FUN THURSDAY
(At the Old Hospital)
Health and Life Center, 1239 E. Main St.

Tuesday, April 19, 3:45, 4:00 p.m.
BOARD/EXEC MEETINGS

Wednesday, April 20, 7:30 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY
Polk State College Clear Springs Advanced Technology Center

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, April 27, 28, 29
LEADERSHIP BARTOW XVI
TRAVELS TO WASHINGTON DC

MAY
Wednesday, May 4, noon
AMBASSADORS, DELEGATES LUNCH AT BROADWAY DINER

Thursday, May 5, 5:15 p.m.
THE VILLAGES AT LAUREL MEADOWS FUN THURSDAY
"Cinco de Mayo", 100 Laurel Circle

Wednesday, May 11, 7:30 a.m.
Business 2 Business
BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE

Wednesday, May 11, 9:30 a.m.
JUST SAY NO PARADE & RALLY
All Main Street business owners asked to come out and support the 5th Graders.

Friday, May 13, 8:00 a.m.
COMMITTEE OF 100
Health and Life Center, 1239 E. Main St.

Tuesday, May 17, 3:45, 4:00 p.m.
BOARD/EXEC MEETINGS

Thursday, May 19, 6:00 p.m.
LEADERSHIP BARTOW XVI GRADUATION
Polk State College Advanced Technology Center

Friday, May 20, noon
ENGAGE LUNCH & LEARN WITH BILL MUTZ: "TIME MANAGEMENT"
A-C-T- Environmental and Infrastructure

FOR A LIST OF COMMUNITY EVENTS LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE, CLICK HERE AND THEN CHOOSE "EVENTS"!

PAINT YOUR WORLD PURPLE!

RELAY FOR LIFE BARTOW & LAKE WALES
      American Cancer Society's Relay for Life Bartow & Lake Wales is Friday and Saturday, April 22, 23, 2016, beginning Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Bartow High School Football Field. Entertainment, live music, food and more are featured. All are welcome to join the fight against cancer.
     For more information, please contact Caitlin Simmons, 863-688-2326, ext. 5508 or email caitlin.simmons@cancer.org. Or, please visit the Relay website, here.

Bartow Community Healthcare Foundation Board members, center, Blanche Bryant; and right, Frank Johnson; help Executive Director Brian Hinton welcome guests last Thursday to the Business After Hours, which featured business/organization residents of the old hospital: Peace River Center, Terrie Lobb Catering, Good Shepherd Hospice and Heartland for Children.

Left to Right: Jean Hornbeck and Ruthelise Anderson of Cruise Planners; and Barbara Adamson, Chamber Membership Director.




BUSINESS OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL, 2016:
Cruise Planners Ruthelise Anderson

5015 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL 33813
Phone: 863-644-1014 - 844-722-6342
reanderson@cruiseplanners.com

Experience what the world has to offer! Ocean and river cruises; all-inclusive resorts and hotels; weddings at sea and at destination; group travel & incentive programs; air, car rental and travel protection; escorted, hosted and independent land programs.

It's that time of years again! JUST SAY NO is coming up May 11, 2016. Wouldn't you like to participate? Hard copy RED LETTERS are available here in the Chamber, or print the one attached here, make your donation and send to CenterState Bank, checks payable to JUST SAY NO, Attention, Anita Stasiak. Thanks for your involvement in this wonderful program to get the JUST SAY NO message to all area 5th graders.

Employment/Staffing Services
AARP Foundation
Ms. Sandra Swanson
1959 E. Edgewood Dr., #101
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-1290

Restaurants
Urban Oak
Mr. Tom Bos
135 E. Main Street
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 537-7205

Event Supplies
Fitted Fancy Chair Covers & Photo Chocolate Favors
Ms. Ivy Patrick
Auburndale, FL 33823
(863) 845-5451
(321) 682-8825
www.fittedfancychaircovers.com

Restaurants
Wendy’s
Mr. Martin Phillips
1520 N. Broadway Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 853-8838
 

Wednesday, April 13, 2016, 7:30 a.m., Chamber Boardroom
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS
MORNING BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE
Plenty of coffee and fellowship with your fellow member business owners. Bring lots of business cards and give everyone two - one for them and one for a friend. Hope to see you there! NO REGISTRATION NECESSARY.

     The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, April 8, 2016, at 8:00 a.m. Bartow City Planner, Bob Wiegers, is guest speaker.
      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 here for a complete listing of Committee of 100 members.

ROI ALERT TO ALL MEMBERS!
We've established a new perk to your membership. Now, as a member of the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, you may include a promotional item for your business in the HELLO BARTOW! welcome baskets for new residents. PARTICIPATION IS FREE OF CHARGE! If you are interested, contact Barbara Adamson, Membership Director, (863) 533-7125, or reply to this email.

IT'S TIME TO NOMINATE AN EMERGING LEADER!

Tuesday, August 16, 2016,  6:00 PM Bartow Civic Center  2250 Floral Ave, Bartow, FL 33830

 

CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE AN EMERGING LEADER.
 

FORTRESS FITNESS IS SECOND SATURDAY

     The Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce presents “FORTRESS Fitness,” a program to promote family fitness began in September at Fort Blount Park.
      “FORTRESS Fitness is a community-wide outdoor workout program for all fitness levels, all ages, and it’s absolutely free,” said Marie Wilmot, organizer of the new program. Wilmot is a wellness and fitness enthusiast, instructor of Pilates, kickboxing, Zumba and other cardio-fitness programs Please mark your calendars for these second Saturdays:

• May 14^th – Jude Dauphin

For more information, contact: Virginia Condello at the Chamber, (863) 533-7125 or email virginia@bartowchamber.com

Could it really be time for a new Leadership class? The current Leadership Class XVI is graduating May 19, 2016, at Polk State College Advanced Technology Center, so it's true!

If you are interested in joining the more than 450 individuals who have completed the Leadership Bartow program, acquiring the skills, knowledge and passion necessary to participate fully in the life of our community, read the brochure below; and sign up online today. Leadership Bartow continues to be a vital part of the overall effort to ensure that the pool of talent from which the community can draw its future leaders continues to be renewed.
For an electronic application for Leadership XVII, click here.