MESSAGE FROM THE CEO: Moving Business Forward
Good Afternoon Valued Chamber Member,
Palm Beach County Commissioners have taken the first step needed to reduce the millage rate for the upcoming 2023 fiscal year. If approved, the current rate of 4.7815 per $1,000 of taxable value will go to 4.7150. As required by law, the Commission must hold two public hearings in September before adopting a new rate for the 2023 budget. Since the Commission has already taken the initial steps to begin the process, by law the rate cannot be raised, only lowered. Public hearings have been scheduled for September 13 and September 20. Thanks to Mayor Weinroth for leading this process at a time when every dollar is needed during the worst inflationary period we have experienced in decades.
Last week, I had the privilege to participate in a tour of Boca Raton’s newest elementary school – Blue Lake Elementary. Located at 799 Banyan Trail (south of Spanish River Boulevard and behind Don Estridge Middle School), this school will serve children in grades K-5 and boasts three stories of multifunctional educational space, including a large media center on the top floor which includes a green room and fantastic views of the lake. Blue Lake Elementary will feature two new playgrounds and an art classroom with an indoor and outdoor area that is fenced and will feature murals painted by students. Along with school safety measures that include every outside door only accessed with a teacher’s ID badge, every teacher will have a device worn around their neck that when activated will notify the front desk, school district office, and the police. Thanks to Seth Moldovan, Blue Lake Elementary’s first Principal, for providing the tour and special thanks to the Boca Raton City Council, led by Mayor Scott Singer, and the Palm Beach County School District, led by Chairman Frank Barbieri, for their collaborative efforts to create Boca Raton’s newest educational gem.
The Chamber’s next monthly membership breakfast will be held on Thursday, August 4 – one week earlier than the usual breakfast schedule. The event is sponsored by the City of Boca Raton and the program will feature a State of the City address delivered by Mayor Scott Singer. Purchase a table and bring your colleagues and friends to learn more about the latest activity and exciting news in Boca Raton! For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. Please note: the breakfast will be held at The Embassy Suites by Hilton Boca Raton.
Have you seen the flock? Dozens of pink flamingos are flocking all around Boca Raton! To bring awareness to Boca Chamber Festival Days and the upcoming events in August, flocks of Flamingos are being moved around in our community. Most recently, the flock has been seen at the Boca Raton Historical Museum, ADT, Boca Raton Regional Hospital, and the Chamber office. If you see the flock, make sure you stop and take a picture (safely), and tag us using the hashtag #BCFD22.
Looking for a quick way to find an event, register for an event, and receive pop-up 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 activities by visiting us at bocachamber.com.
Below is a list of our upcoming activities:
7/19 – 5:30 p.m. PULSE (Professionals Under 40) After Hours Network
For more information and to register, click here
7/21 – 8:00 a.m. Boynton Beach Coffee Plus Network
For more information and to register, click here
7/21 – 11:30 a.m. Successful Women in Business (SWIB)
For more information and to register, click here
7/22 – 8:30 a.m. Boynton Beach: Women’s Business Exchange
For more information and to register, click here
Assistant Police Chief Russ Mager has been named the next Police Chief for the City of Delray Beach. He replaces retiring Chief Javaro Sims, who has served the city for the past 30 years, the last three as its Police Chief. Assistant Chief Mager has been with the Delray Beach Police Department for 26 years, holding multiple leadership roles, including sergeant in six different sectors and lieutenant – first for the Community Patrol Division and later for the Community Response Division. In 2019, he was promoted to Captain and one year later to Assistant Chief. Congratulations Chief Mager!
Bon Appetit Boca is in full swing! Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy special menus from participating restaurants. This month-long event celebrates the culinary delights in the Greater Boca Raton Area. Support your local restaurants by coming out and trying new dishes and drinks throughout the month. For a list of participating restaurants and offers, click here.
Together, we continue to Move Business Forward in South Palm Beach County, making our region the best place to Live, Work, Learn and Play!
