Bartow has our very own Economic Development Council! How exciting is that?

It’s very exciting, I’ll say. And what’s even more exciting is that, as of July 1, 2016, our Bartow Economic Development Council (BEDC) has a great President, Mr. Rob Clancey. And, Rob’s office will be extremely accessible to all potential businesses and current businesses, because the BEDC office will be located within the Bartow Chamber of Commerce!

As your current Chamber President, I am very thankful that we have such a great spirit of cooperation between our Chamber, our City, and now our EDC.  Like the Chamber’s core mission to promote economic development for our existing businesses, we now have a partner to promote NEW economic development for our area.

Rob will be responsible for facilitating, promoting, and ensuring community and economic development in order to secure opportunities for economic and business development and increase local employment here in Bartow.

Many of you probably know Rob from his days as Director of Polk State College’s Corporate College, which is now housed at the Clear Springs Advanced Technology Center here in Bartow. So, he definitely comes with a good “toolbox” for economic development.

The BEDC is comprised of a 12-seat Board of Directors. Ten of the seats have been assigned to representatives of area economic development stakeholders: Bartow Chamber of Commerce, Bartow Community Healthcare Foundation, Bartow Community Redevelopment Agency, BayCare Bartow Regional Medical Center, City of Bartow, Clear Springs Land Company, Eastside Positive Action Committee, Main Street Bartow, Polk County Board of County Commissioners, and Polk State College. The remaining two seats have been left open for future appointments to the Board.

For more information about the BEDC, its Board or new president, please contact Rob Clancey at (863) 533-7125, or email him. Welcome, Rob!

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:

Wednesday, July 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.

Sign up today for the ENGAGE Lunch and Learn with David Shepp. It's FREE, and we'll buy lunch.
FREE EVENT, not just for ENGAGE members! Engage/Bartow Chamber Young Professionals presents an up-close and personal chat with one of the area’s most accomplished community leaders. These sessions will give participants a chance to reflect on new and creative ways to achieve professional leadership goals based on the best practices from the area’s most respected business professionals. After a short presentation, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions in a round-table format. Don’t miss this great opportunity for professional growth.

      Long-time lobbyist and former legislative aid David Shepp was legislative assistant to then-state Rep. Adam Putnam, 1996-2000 and managed his successful campaign for Congress in 2000. In 2001, he co-founded Florida Strategic Group (FSG), with Sam Killebrew, providing lobbying and consulting services to municipalities, locally-owned businesses, statewide trade associations, and national corporations and provided campaign consulting.
Killebrew retired  in 2013 and Shepp bought his share of the firm. Shepp later joined Southern Strategy Group. Former state Rep. Seth McKeel joined Southern Strategy after leaving the Florida House in 2014.
 
FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016, 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Florida Industrial & Phosphate Research Institute, 1855 W. Main Street, Bartow, FL 33830
SIGN UP TODAY BY CLICKING HERE!

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.

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

JULY

BIZ KIDS CONTINUES THRU JULY 19

Monday, July 11
ENGAGE STUFF THE BUS
Now through August 19th

Wednesday, July 13, 7:30 a.m.
BUSINESS 2 BUSINESS
Business Card Exchange

Friday, July 15, noon
ENGAGE LUNCH & LEARN: DAVID SHEPP
FIPR Boardroom

Tuesday, July 19, 3:45 p.m.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday, July 20, 1:30 p.m.
DIPLOMAT BIRTHDAY PARTY
Happy Birthday, Karen Donhaiser (June), Issie Jencowski (July)!

Tuesday, July 26, 9:30 a.m.
FUSION CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER, LLC RIBBON-CUTTING
680 E. Main Street, Suite 101, Bartow

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

WATSON CLINIC ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY LECTURES
 
Watson Clinic is pleased to announce the following upcoming informative community lectures and special events. These events are free of charge, but seating is limited. Light refreshments will be provided. Please reserve your spot in advance by using the RSVP as noted below or by visiting www.WatsonClinic.com/Events.
 
Date: Thursday, July 28 at 6 pm
Speaker: Thomas A. Abbruzzese, MD
Topic: Understanding Peripheral Vascular Disease. A circulation disorder originating around the heart and brain, peripheral vascular disease can restrict blood flow to the arms, legs and organs below the stomach. Board-certified vascular surgeon Dr. Thomas Abbruzzese will discuss the causes, risk factors, symptoms and treatments available to correct this dangerous and often undiagnosed condition.
Location: Main Clinic Library – 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd. in Lakeland
RSVP: 863-680-7732 or online at www.WatsonClinic.com/Events
 
Date: Friday, July 29 from 3 to 5 PM                       
Topic: ‘Quit Smoking Now - No ifs, ands or butts!’
Take the next step to a healthier lifestyle and join us for a special class designed to provide an overview of available options for smokers who want to quit. The class includes information on various types of nicotine replacements, product samples and much more. Endorsed by the American Lung Association, this class is taught by a certified tobacco education specialist and is sponsored by the Watson Clinic Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting community wellness through education, research and service.    
Location: Watson Clinic Cancer & Research Center - Boardroom, 1730 Lakeland Hills Blvd. in Lakeland
RSVP: 863-802-6220 or online at http://www.WatsonClinic.com/Events
 
Date: Saturday, July 30 at 10 AM     
Speaker: Pranay C. Patel, MD                  
Topic: ‘Face Summer with a New You.' Watson Clinic facial plastic surgeon and ENT specialist Dr. Pranay Patel will review a host of highly effective surgical and non-surgical options for those interested in facial rejuvenation. Topics include face/eye/neck lifts, rhinoplasty, brow lifts, scar revision, facial fillers, the Kybella^® double chin elimination treatment, laser skin resurfacing and much more.
Location: Bella Vista Building – 1^st Floor Lobby – 1755 N. Florida Ave in Lakeland
RSVP: 863-904-6231 or online at http://www.WatsonClinic.com/Events

Date: Tuesday, August 2 at 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Speaker: D.J. Nelson, ARNP-C
Topic: An Evening of Sweet Treats. Nothing’s sweeter than a fresh new look. Join D.J. Nelson, ARNP-C from Dr. Faeza Kazmier’s plastic & reconstructive surgery practice for a unique and fun interactive cosmetic event. Enjoy an evening of valuable information related to the most popular cosmetic facial rejuvenation procedures, live filler and laser therapy demonstrations, and special guest speakers that promote the continued health and vitality of your skin.
Location: Watson Clinic Women’s Center, Suite B, 1400 Lakeland Hills Blvd. in Lakeland
RSVP: 863-680-7676 or online at www.WatsonClinic.com/Events

Restaurants
Lenny’s Grill & Subs
Mr. James Harmer
485 E. Van Fleet Dr.
Bartow, FL 33830
www.lennys.com

Community Action/Human Services
Habitat for Humanity of East Polk County, Inc.
Ms. Julie Farish, Executive Director
3550 Recker Hwy.
Winter Haven, FL. 33880
863-292-2256
www.habitateastpolk.org
 
Healthcare-General
Fusion Chiropractic Health & Wellness Center
Dr. Brandi Ancrum
680 E. Main St., Suite 101
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 537-7330
www.chirofusionhealth.com

Finkbeiner Photography, Inc.
Ms. Joni Finkbeiner-Tyler
723 S. Missouri Ave.
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 687-8986
www.Finkbeinerphotography.com
 

STUFF THE BUS!
The Bartow ENGAGE Chamber Young Professionals' community project is, “Stuff the Bus,” that includes collecting school supply donations for Polk’s students in need. The campaign generally begins mid-July and continues through mid-August - just in time for school. This year, stuff the Bus begins Monday, July 11 and continues through Friday, August 19, 2016.
 
“The number of homeless children and youth in the Polk County School System is growing year after year,” said Dee Dee Wright, Polk County School Board Project Hearth Specialist. “Last year we identified more than 2800 homeless people throughout Polk County,” she said. Homeless children and youth are students who lack a fixed regular and adequate nighttime residence. Families are considered homeless who have “doubled up” at a residence, or are living in substandard housing or hotels. Women with children living in a charity home are also considered homeless by Project Hearth - the Polk County School Board’s services department for homeless students. The average age of a school-aged homeless person is nine years old. It has been estimated that at any given time, there are more than 350 school aged, enrolled homeless children in Polk County.

Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation to homeless school-aged children in Polk County may do so by writing a check to the Polk County Education Foundation and writing “Hearth” in the memo line of the check. Checks may be dropped off at the Bartow Chamber, anytime. Donations will be used to purchase caps and gowns for seniors, pay for school physicals and pay for needed birth certificates.

According to Wright, the items most needed this time of year are school supplies including backpacks, zip binders (Trapper Keepers), paper, 3-prong folders, spiral notebooks and calculators (scientific and graphing). In addition, school uniforms, gift cards for food, medical and dental services are much needed. Although hygiene items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, hair brushes and feminine products are always appreciated, the most dire need at this time are the school supplies.

For more information on ENGAGE, or the Stuff the Bus campaign, call the Chamber at (863) 533-7125, or email ENGAGE CHAIR, KATHRYN BEVILACQUA-ELY HERE.
Bartow has our very own Economic Development Council! How exciting is that?