Welcome to the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce
The Punta Gorda Chamber invites you to explore our city and discover why Punta Gorda, FL has continuously been chosen as one of the best places to vacation, live and work!
“A friendly community with a remarkable past and an exciting future.”
Background Video: drone photography video of the city of Punta Gorda. Video does not haveaudio or written content.
Video Credit: Ben Catapane, Virtual Edge 360
Platinum Sponsors
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Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
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Welcome to Punta Gorda
The Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce invites you to explore our city and discover why Punta Gorda has continuously been chosen as one of the best places to live!
“A friendly community with a remarkable past and an exciting future.”
We invite you to share with us a little of the incredible charm of this historic, yet thriving, small city. Nestled on the shores of Charlotte Harbor in sunny Southwest Florida, it is rapidly becoming the IN destination for visitors, residences and businesses alike. You will also find an abundance of local information in our Friday Facts newsletter, where you will find all of our members’ events and promotions. <Click Here for a Calendar of Events>
“A small city with a very big heart welcomes you! IT’S HAPPENING ON THE HARBOR!”
Where’s John this week?
Each week our Chamber President visits a local business to showcase for all of you what they do. Enjoy your visit!
Employment News
Click Here for current employment opportunities »
We Welcome Visitors in Your Language
Punta Gorda on the Rise
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$3 Million for the new Aviation Technician Facility
The FL state budget has approved $3 million for a new combined hangar and classroom facility for Charlotte Technical College’s (CTC) FAA-certified Aviation Maintenance Technician School. Charlotte County Airport Authority says the larger training facility at Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) is necessary to meet the aviation industry’s demand for aircraft mechanics, while state funding is essential to keep CTC’s tuition costs low enough to remain affordable for students.
2022 Congressional Art Competition Winner is local
Charlotte High School student Julianna Ross, was selected as the winner of the 2022 Congressional Art Competition! Each spring, students submit entries to their Representatives office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. The first-place winner is given the opportunity to display their artwork at the United States Capitol for one year. Her piece, “Florida Cowboy” portrays the 17th District quite well.
Congratulations to Area Grads
The PG Chamber and community extends our enthusiastic CONGRATULATIONS to local high school and college students who have and are graduating this month!! We wish you all the best in your future endeavors. If you are leaving the area, we hope you come back to visit often. If you are staying in the area, we hope that you find the successful employment opportunities you deserve.
Sunseeker will offer 1,200 Jobs
The Sunseeker Resort, scheduled to open in May 2023, will employ approximately 1200 workers. The Career Center, located next to Kingsway/Aileron Golf Course and owned by Sunseeker, will start interviewing and training workers in the Fall of 2022.
Ladies and Gentlemen…
Ringling Bros Circus announced the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’ will return in the Fall of 2023. Promoting family and fun, their business will encompass live performances, digital content, consumer products, school and youth circus arts programs, and more. Says Kenneth Feld, CEO, “We are innovating all aspects of the live show and modernizing the franchise…” to “…last another 150 years.”
Affordable Flights to Punta Gorda Airport
PGD was ranked one of the top five most affordable airports for domestic flights. Compared to neighboring airports, PGD, which is served by Allegiant and Sun Country Airlines, has an average domestic fare of $142.48 (in 2021-22) and flies to more than 50 locations.
If you don’t rest, you won’t rust
One of Murdock’s newest residents is 107 years young. She loves playing tennis, dancing, and being active. She loves ‘tooning (she no longer pilots but loves an afternoon out on a pontoon boat), playing duplicate bridge, knitting… She just generally LOVES LIFE! Way to go, Mary Graybiel!!
Gator Patrol
We’ll bet NYC or Washington DC can’t claim this as local news: “A stray alligator that wandered onto the sidewalk alongside Tamiami Trail received a police escort…to keep him from causing trouble.” (Sun Newspaper) The animal was trapped and moved to a safer location. It was a reminder of how important eco-tourism is to our area and that we have a responsibility to co-exist with our wildlife.
Real Estate Report for April 2022
While the number of residential properties that closed was lower, almost twice that number of homes are now waiting to close. Despite an increase in listings, inventory is still very low, about 12 days absorption rate. Home prices continue to climb, 31% higher than April 2021, and 71% of homes were on the market only 10 days or less – more than half were cash sales. This area of FL is still red HOT.
Fishermen’s Village retail hours
The retail shops have new, permanent hours of operation! They are now open Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 8 pm and Sundays 12 pm – 6 pm. The extended hours will make it easier for year-round residents to enjoy Fishermen’s Village during the cool summer evenings.
Charlotte County tax revenues have grown
Seasonally adjusted tourist tax revenues in Charlotte County grew to $684,400 in Jan. 2022, up 51% from Jan. 2021, and 11% above Dec. 2021. Taxable sales in Charlotte County increased to $337.2 million in Jan. 2022, compared to $288.4 million in Jan. 2021, and $316.3 million in Dec. 2021. SWFL Regional Economic Indicators April 2022 report.
PGD’s passenger recent activity
Passenger traffic in Feb 2022 at the Punta Gorda Airport numbered 180,874, an increase of 21% over Jan 2022, and 40% above last February 2021.
Our commitment to diversity and representation for all
In these difficult times in this country, we, at the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, want to express our very own commitment to diversity and representation for all. Regardless of race, color, creed, sexual orientation and religion, our membership is open to ALL. We work towards total inclusion and integration of our business community, with zero judgement of any individual business or person. Our Chamber is a family, made up of a wide range of social sectors and we never discriminate. United and diversified, we work better together for the good of our businesses and our community at large.
PARTNERS IN ACTION are businesses dedicated to strengthening their Chamber and business in Punta Gorda
(click sponsor name to visit their website)
Platinum Sponsors
Swipe or click and drag to view more sponsors. Click a sponsor logo to visit the sponsor’s website.
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
- American Leak Detection Co.
- Calenda Real Estate Group
- The Celtic Ray
- Centennial Bank
- Charlotte Community Foundation
- Charlotte Players
- Coastal Expressions & Wine
- Denise Henry –
ReMax Anchor Realty - Expedia Cruises
- Farr, Farr, Emerich,
Hackett, Carr,
and Holmes Law Firm - Fawcett Memorial
- Granny Nannies Home Care
- Gulf Shore Opera
- Levell Wealth Management
- Punta Gorda Isles
Civic Association - State Farm Agency –
Mike Martin - Visiting Angels Florida
West Coast dba HolCam - Wotitzky, Wotitzky, Ross,
& Young, PA - Military Heritage Museum
(In Kind) - Port Charlotte Florist
(In Kind)
Supporting Members
- Amberg Insurance
- AMS Floors
- Animal Welfare League
- Bristol Private Wealth Management of Raymond James
- C.A.R.E of Charlotte County
- Drug Free Punta Gorda
- Edward Jones – Jim Sproul
- Fabulous Finds
- Frank Desguin Family
- Gator Wilderness Camp School
- Hoff’s Air Authority
- Illusions Salon & Spa
- Koch & Company CPAs
- Kuhn’s Law Firm, PLLC
- Little Bear Sanctuary
- Marco Office Supply
- Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary
- Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens
- Perfectly Polished Nail Salon
- Pickleplex of Punta Gorda
- The Punta Gorgeous Store
- Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic
- Visual Arts Center
- Webb, Lorah & McMillan, PLLC