“We now have a great opportunity.
We can and need to build a better world …this is the time for true leadership to show. We need to put our own interests and preferences behind the greater good of the next generation and, finally, behind a sustainable world economy that enjoys freedom and peace.”

6,000 Chromebooks distributed, 1,000 hot-spots donated to families in need, over 95% of our students are logging in every day to complete their school work! In person graduation ceremonies tentatively planned for the week of July 14. School opening in the Fall to be announced by the Governor’s office. KUDOS to our school district leadership, teachers, staff, families and students who have come together to make student success a priority this Spring. Happy Summer!

“Leadership is not reserved for managers.
It is first and foremost a behavioral matter. It is about acting as if it was your own company. As if it was your own money to spend and your own reputation to lose. This is a very powerful aspiration and something that will enable us to overcome this crisis. It is about the people and about their leaders to give them confidence and show them the way forward.”

The current plan to re-open our Chamber Offices is on May 18th, with the limited hours of 10am-2pm. We respectfully request masks to be worn and social distancing to be observed.

On Saturday, May 9th, 2020 the Farmer’s Market in downtown Punta Gorda will be open from 8am-noon. Only essential vendors (primarily food items) will be permitted to restart at the market. Located on the corner of Taylor and Olympia, Punta Gorda.

PGD is slated to receive $23.3 million in funding relief to replace lost revenue and save worker’s jobs. The grant is part of the $10 billion allocated to the CARES Act Airport Program. PGD has seen about an 80% reduction in revenues – affecting businesses throughout the area.

Champ’s on Wheels mobile feeding bus is providing free curbside pickup lunch and next-day breakfast to all Charlotte county children at 10 Charlotte County Schools, Mid-County Regional Library, Port Charlotte Public Library and Hampton Point Apartments.  Children must be present to receive a meal, but they have to stay in the vehicle. Visit YourCharlotteSchools.net for pick-up times and locations.

For the 6th consecutive year, Florida Southwestern Collegiate High School earned a spot to compete at the State Mock Trial Competition in Orlando on March 26-28. The competition is sponsored by Justice Teaching Center for Civic Learning at Florida Southern University. Hundreds of attorneys and judges volunteer each year to teach the legal process. Let’s root them on to a win at State and a trip to Nationals!

As of Friday afternoon, April 3, 2020, Buckley’s Pass is complete! The pass is now OPEN to boaters. A City ceremony and parade of boats may still happen in May or after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

The 11th annual “Feed The Harbor” food drive collected 31,256 pounds of food worth over $50,000 from Charlotte County residents in one day on Feb. 23rd. Churches, shoppers, volunteers, the Boy Scouts, in-kind donors, all Publix stores in Charlotte County, H.E.L.P. and food pantries all worked to make this ecumenical event such a success.

A new tool from Destination International Association (largest global association of destination organizations) utilizes economic models based on type & length of event, number of attendees, vendor spending, etc. to deliver estimated expenditures across categories (lodging, transportation, retail, etc.) for both direct AND indirect/induced expenditures. Also delivers taxes generated on a local, state and federal level for an event, number of jobs supported by the event, & accounts for sponsorship/hosting costs to deliver the total ROI. This tool is free to use and available to local partners. Contact Chip.Futch@CharlotteCountyFL.gov for more information.