Message from the CEO: Moving Business Forward

Pfizer and BioNTech will submit their vaccine for emergency approval today, after their final analysis suggested that the drug to treat Covid-19 was even more effective than previously thought. Now complete, their Phase 3 trial found the vaccine was 95 % effective at preventing symptoms of COVID-19. Of the 41,135 adults who have received two doses, none have suffered serious side effects. Only 3.7% of participants experienced fatigue and 2 % had a headache. Yesterday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that since July the State has been purchasing the supplies needed to administer the vaccines when they become available. The State of Florida could see vaccines within three to six weeks after FDA approval. He also stated that 3,000 doses of Eli Lilly’s new therapeutic Bamlanivimab has already been delivered to State hospitals, and will continue to be delivered in similar amounts on a weekly bases.

Florida Education Commissioner, Richard Corcoran, announced Wednesday that he is working on a new Executive Order to extend funding for students taking part in virtual learning due to Covid-19. Commissioner Corcoran’s original Executive Order, issued on July 6^Th, provided school districts in Florida with funding to accommodate students who opted to take part in virtual learning. Currently, that Executive Order is due to expire at the end of the fall 2020 semester.

Palm Beach County has released the guidelines for municipalities to apply for reimbursement on items and testing equipment purchased this year due to the coronavirus. The Municipal CARES ACT Reimbursement Program requires cities to submit for reimbursement until December 1^st. To be eligible, cities must not have previously received reimbursement from the CARES Act for the expenditures, nor received grant funds or donations. Of the $261 million related to the federal governments CARES Act, the County still has $88 million available to assist cities. Items that cities can apply for reimbursement include: Testing, Public Information Signage, Safety Equipment, PPE and Technology.

Yesterday, The Chamber Board of Directors approved the Chamber’s 2021 Legislative Business Agenda. This agenda sets priority issues and regional advocacy in motion for the Boca Raton City Council, Boynton Beach City Commission, Palm Beach County Commission, Florida Legislature and U.S. Congress during the 2021 sessions. It is developed based on input from the Chamber membership, along with more than a dozen additional entities, including the U.S. and Florida Chambers of Commerce, the Palm Beach County Business Development Board, Florida Atlantic University, Lynn University and Palm Beach State College. The agenda is a blueprint to chart the course for a strong and sustainable regional business community, focused on creating a positive business climate and lowering the cost of doing business. Watch for more information and the full agenda in upcoming emails.

Looking for an easier way to find an event, register for an event, and receive popup notifications of important Chamber, County, City of Boca Raton and City of Boynton Beach information? Download the Boca Chamber App – found on the App Store and Google Play Store. Keep your Chamber at the tip of your fingers! You can also stay up to date on all Chamber activity by visiting us at bocachamber.com. We continue to provide you with valuable educational webinars and virtual experiences, with most being recorded and available for you to access on the Boca Chamber’s YouTube Channel. Hit the subscribe button to find out when new content is posted on our channel. Below is a list of our upcoming virtual experiences:
12/02 – 5:00 p.m. 39^th Annual Virtual Holiday Auction Join us for one of the most popular events of the year! Virtually enjoy an evening of fun while bidding on exciting silent auctions items! This event will help support the many successful programs at the Boca Chamber and will help to ensure the development of future programs. Click here to register
12/09 – 12:00 p.m. Virtual Boynton Beach Lunch and Learn Sponsor: IThink Financial Topic: Marketing Trends in 2020 (Covid Challenges)Speaker: Saul Copper, Sr. Account Manager, DigDev Direct Click here to register
12/10 – 7:30 a.m. Holiday Membership Breakfast   Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center5150 Town Center CircleBoca Raton, FL 33486 Click here to register
12/11 – 8:30 a.m. Virtual Women’s Business Council  Topic: Holiday Networking Click here to register
12/17 – 8:00 a.m. Virtual Boynton Beach Coffee Plus  The early bird gets the worm! Enjoy this FREE monthly networking opportunity. Grab a cup of coffee, meet new people and give your best 30 second elevator pitch – all before the work day begins! Click here to register

With four ribbon cuttings in the past ten days – Business is Moving Forward! Whether a new business opening or an expansion/renovation, Boca Chamber members are making positive news. Utilizing safety protocols, the following members conducted Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies: Hospice By The Sea – Trustbridge, One Price Dry Cleaners, Direct Primary Care of Boca Raton and Sports Clips. If you are a new or long – time member celebrating an opening, business anniversary, new location or name change, reach out to us and take advantage of this free member benefit and generate some positive exposure. Use the pictures from your ribbon cutting to share on your business social media platforms – as well as the Chambers. Also, write a press release to compliment the Ribbon Cutting and we will post it in on our website. Let’s celebrate together and share the good news!

As we near the Thanksgiving Holiday and potential family gatherings, please continue to be Responsible, Safe and Respectful. Protect your family, protect yourself and let’s get through this holiday feeling grateful for doing our part.

And as always, thank you for making Boca Raton, Boynton Beach and all of South Palm Beach County the best place to Live, Work, Learn and Play!

Moving Business Forward,