An example of the Chamber’s position and passed legislation can be seen in the unanimous support of the Unemployment Compensation bill (HB7033). The text below, copied from the Chamber’s Web site, indicates the Chamber’s position, the tracking of the legislation, and that the Chamber position and the legislation are aligned (noted with the Chamber logo).

Unemployment Taxes: The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce supports the reestablishment of the base rate to the first $7000 of an employee’s salary; we ask the Legislature to rescind the requirement to refill the unemployment trust fund within 3 years, and to suspend any increases in unemployment taxes for 2 years.

HB 7033 unanimously passed both chambers of the Legislature on the first day of session, March 2, 2010 and was subsequently signed by Governor Crist. HB 7033 rolls back the pending April 1 unemployment tax hike for this year allowing Florida businesses the opportunity to plan for future hikes down the road if the economy doesn’t turn around. Read more Unemployment Tax

The page will also identify potential legislation that may be related to a position statement, but for which the Chamber does not indicate support.

One of the most valuable resources that the Chamber of Commerce provides to members is Advocacy. To learn more on how to get involved leave us a comment!

While November will be a busy election season, no issue on the 2010 ballot will be more important than Amendment 4.  In this tough economy, the last thing Florida needs is an irresponsible amendment that will cost jobs, raise taxes and make it more expensive to live in our state.

But that’s exactly what Amendment 4 will do.

Please click on this link florida2010.org and take a moment to view this 2-minute video on St. Pete Beach, the first community in Florida to adopt a local version of Amendment 4. This impacts you directly.  Moreover, it will permanently damage Florida’s economy and unique quality of life.  As a result, The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce will be asking voters to VOTE NO on 4.  Please take a moment to:

1. Share this video with at least 50 voters.  We are working together with dozens of other associations to get this message out.  Sharing this message with your professional contacts will make a big difference.
2. Post this video (or a link to it) on your website or your Face Book page.
3. Get more information at florida2010.org.  On this page, you’ll find a wealth of information on Amendment 4.
4. Use the “Tell a Friend” button or sign up to “Volunteer.” This site is updated regularly so check back often.

The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to bringing you the latest information on Amendment 4—including new videos as they are produced.

Taken from the March 2010 Issue of Black Enterprise. Written by Sonya A. Donaldson.

A Tech Makeover Story: Three entrepreneurs tell Black Enterprise how they are using technology to renovate their businesses in a tough year—and reaping the rewards.

Company: NuJak Cos.
Principals: Frank Kendrick, CEO & Timothy B. Jackson, COO
Location: Lakeland, FL
Type of Business: Construction, property management, and real estate development
2009 Revenues: $10 million
Employees: 12
In our industry, time and money are synonymous. NuJak has invested in project management software to plan and manage construction projects efficiently, track our projects, mitigate delays, save time, and reduce costs. We have a fully integrated Project Management Control System (PMCS) that consists of Primavera P3 Project Planner, Primavera Expedition for document control, and Sage Timberline Office for cost control. The initial startup cost of the system we purchased (the P3 model) was $3,500.

We also invested in training on the PMCS for all our project managers, field superintendents, and contract administrators. Training classes are conducted in one- to three-day seminars and run between $500 and $1,500 per employee.

Additionally, we outfitted all our field superintendents with laptops or PC tablets, air cards, PDAs, and digital cameras at a cost of $1,200 to $1,500 for each superintendent. Each person has direct access to the office server with a database of project information such as plans, specifications, schedules, logs, and project costs.

Using the PMCS, superintendents update project status with daily field reports, schedules, and progress photos. The PMCS can be set up to allow owners, architects, and/or engineers to access information and review the status of all project-related items. Web cameras are set up to monitor construction progress. This has significantly improved communication internally and externally.
We are in the process of replacing the laptops and providing all field superintendents with PC tablets (about $5,000 each) equipped with the PMCS, which will allow them to update project status as they perform field inspections. This will allow them to mark up discrepancies on drawings and forward them to the architect and/or engineer directly. In the past the architect/engineer would have to make a site visit to review the issue, which would take a couple of days.

Technology helped us change our bidding process, which saved time and paper. We set up an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) site and uploaded construction documents. Subcontractors get a user ID and password to access the FTP site so that they can view the documents and submit their bids electronically. This has almost eliminated reproduction costs and saved us more than $50,000 per year. At first, a few subcontractors were reluctant to switch, but most adapted to the new system quickly. This has also improved the overall quality and sophistication of our subcontract pool.

We have plans to incorporate a building modeling system that generates 3-D images of buildings with overlays of different exteriors, structures, and mechanical   systems. This would enable us to provide various pricing scenarios to our clients.

Recently, the team of Skanska and NuJak was selected to build the new University of South Florida Polytechnic campus’ signature building designed by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. The entire campus will be designed and built with cutting-edge technology that will include a Building Management Control System. NuJak’s exposure to this technology will advance our position in the construction industry.

Five percent of our yearly operating budget, approximately $20,000, is dedicated to technology and technical training, but the added efficiency has paid for itself many times over. Technology has saved time and money, and more important, provided a greater value to our clients. As a result of our use of technology, we became leaner and more efficient, which saves the company about $150,000 per year.

The survey is confidential! However, at the end of the survey, you can enter your name and e-mail for a chance to win a 32” flat screen TV, passes to local attractions, and restaurant gift certificates.

You may complete the survey anytime between now and March 31, 2010.

Follow the link below to take the survey:

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB22A7W8GMHTH

Thank you for your participation!

If you experience any problems accessing the survey, you can copy the link; paste it in the address bar of your browser and click ‘enter’. If you still experience problems, please send an email to info@polkvision.com and someone will contact you to help resolve your problem.

Please help us reach a broad population by forwarding this message to your contacts.

Colleen Burton
Executive Director
Polk Vision, Inc.

Held once every three months, Schmooze a’Palooza brings members together for lunch and networking, but also affords each attendee an opportunity to share his or her company’s 30-second commercial with the group. Seating is limited to 50, and reservations are required. Walk-ups cannot be accommodated.

March 11, 2010 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Beef O’Brady’s Family Sports Pub | 4810 S Florida Ave

$25 members only

Business, civic and labor leaders gathered in Tallahassee recently to hear the report of a top Florida economist indicating that Amendment 4—a proposed re-write of our state constitution—would lead to massive job loss.

With unemployment nearing 12 percent, that’s the last thing Florida needs.
Tony Villamil, founder of The Washington Economics Group (WES), which conducted the study, reported that "Amendment 4’s passage will have potentially devastating consequences to Florida’s economy at a time when the economic situation at both the state and national levels is uncertain and at a time when attracting new businesses to Florida is essential for the future recovery and prosperity of the state and its residents."

The WES study indicates that Amendment 4 will lead to severe job loss in numerous sectors of Florida’s already struggling economy as well as have major impacts on Florida’s “economic dynamism,” ultimately causing a “steady decline in the standard of living for all Florida residents.” The resulting economic gridlock would erode Florida’s tax base, forcing state and local governments to either “raise taxes or cut services.”

The impacts of Amendment 4 would not be limited to a few sectors of our economy. According to the WES study, the negative impacts of Amendment 4 would “affect the whole economy of Florida.” In particular, efforts to diversify Florida’s economy by attracting “high-wage and high-skill jobs” would be jeopardized.

Florida Chamber of Commerce president Mark Wilson summed up the situation pointedly: "If you like the recession, you’ll love Amendment 4."

The gathering in Tallahassee also reflected an unprecedented show of unity, as labor and business leaders agreed to jointly oppose Amendment 4.
"It’s not too often that a union leader and a business leader agree on something," said Frank Ortis, President of the Florida State Council of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. "But we can all see how much Amendment 4 would hurt Florida’s working families. And we are working together to defeat it."

If Amendment 4 is adopted in November, Florida would become the guinea pig for a measure that has never passed in any other state in the country. However, Floridians are beginning to hear the story of St. Pete Beach, a small Florida town that adopted a local version of Amendment 4 in 2006. Since then, the town has seen fewer jobs, higher tax rates and endless litigation at taxpayer expense. Former St. Pete Beach Mayor Ward Friszolowski was in Tallahassee to hear the major economic announcement.

"Our experiment in Amendment 4 has turned St. Pete Beach into a battleground for special interests," said Friszolowski. "And at a time of economic hardship, it has caused extraordinary damage to our economy. I ask the voters of Florida to learn more about St. Pete Beach—and to learn from our mistakes. Amendment 4 supporters promise that they’ll give you a ’say on growth.’ Don’t believe it. Don’t let them do to Florida what they already did to my hometown."

An Invitation to Our Community:

As you may be aware, the School Board has initiated its search for a new superintendent of schools.  To assist us in this important process, we have retained the services of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, Ltd., a search firm that specializes in assisting boards that are seeking superintendents.

A very important early step in this process is to identify the characteristics we will be looking for in our new superintendent.  We are soliciting the input of our parents, students, and residents of Polk County in the identification of these characteristics.  To provide your input, we invite you to meet with the consultant at one of the following Community Forums on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 7:00PM:

Polk State College Lakeland Campus: Technology Building, 3425 Winter Lake Road

Polk State College Winter Haven Campus: Student Center, 999 Avenue H, NE

We would also appreciate you completing a Leadership Profile Assessment form and bring it with you to the Community Forum.  If you will be unable to attend, please return your completed form by March 19, 2010 to the address or fax number on page two of the Profile Assessment.

Thank you in advance for your assistance with this most important task.

Sincerely,

Kay Fields, Board Chair

March 18, 2010 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | The Lakeland Center

The Life, Art and Voice of Cuban Born Artist Carlos Luna

Carlos Luna, recognized as one of the world’s best artists, was born Januayy 2, 1969 in Pinar del Rio, Cuba. Through the love of his family, he found his voice as an artist and was able to survive repression and tragedy. Now, for the first time, he will tell his story in English at the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce CommUnity Celebration 2010.

Tickets and Corporate Tables of 10 are still available!

Featuring:

Musical Performance by: Lemay Olano-James & “Puras Cuerdas”

Professional Cigar Rolling by Carlos Luna’s Brother, Camilo Luna

Book Signing by Teresa Martinez

Thanks to our event sponsors!

FOCUS Magazine, GEICO, The Ledger, Publix Super Markets, Inc., WONN/WPCV/WLKF/WWRZ Radio

The experienced mediators of CFMG have decades of collective experience helping opposing parties come to an agreement that they can all live with, without court or third-party-imposed mandates. CFMG’s veteran judges, attorneys and certified mediators have successfully mediated virtually every type and class of dispute, even those involving contentious parties who never thought it possible to reach an agreement. Mediation can be a simpler, more equitable solution to disputes involving divorce or partnership dissolution, child custody, support, paternity & parenting issues, alimony, division of property, etc. Mediation also serves as a faster, less traumatic answer to claims and liability cases involving corporations, government and law enforcement agencies, employers, commercial and construction disputes, insurance and workers comp claims, property damage, and more.

CFMG’s mediators and arbitrators have vast experience in all types of legal actions, from simple to controversial, two-party to multiparty, and domestic to corporate. Each is an expert in his or her field, and equipped to meld insightful compromise with a keen understanding of the law to help you settle your case out of court, no matter how powerful your opponent.

Central Florida Mediation Group LLC | www.centralfloridamediationgroup.com

4729 US Highway 98 South, Ste 104 | (863) 594-1113

March 18 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

2440 US Highway 98 North

$10 Members | $30 Guests

Be sure to attend for:

Plenty of Giveaways | Food & Drinks from Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille | Always great newtorking

Plus: Enter to WIN a one-week condo stay on Beautiful South Padres Island, TX

Register online today!