Florida Commerce activates business damage assessment survey
TALLAHASSEE – Florida Commerce and the State Emergency Response Team activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey on Oct. 10 in response to Hurricane Milton.
Business owners could self-report physical and economic damage caused by Hurricane Milton. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Milton recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of impacted businesses.
Businesses can complete the survey online by visiting FloridaDisaster.biz and selecting “Hurricane Milton” from the dropdown menu.
Call the private sector hotline at 850-815-4925, open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or email for assistance with a business.
North Tampa Bay Chamber happenings
LAND O LAKES – The North Tampa Bay Chamber will hold networking events for its members as well as welcome a new business to its roster over the next 10 days.
- Members network during the Coffee Social from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 16 at San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union, 28909 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel.
- Chamber President/CEO Hope Kennedy leads orientation for new members from 9 to 10 a.m. Oct. 23 at USF Federal Credit Union, 20610 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Tampa.
- The chamber celebrates Blue Park Dental joining with a ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 24 at 5470 Post Oak Blvd., Wesley Chapel.
- Members toast the end of another month during Final Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 25 at Florica Avenue Brewing co., 2029 Arrowgrass Drive, Wesley Chapel.
Visit northtampabaychamber.com for more information about these events and other chamber information.
Greater Pasco Chamber happenings
NEW PORT RICHEY – The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce will hold several networking events as well as celebrate new members over the next 10 days.
- The chamber’s Professional Women in Business group convenes from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 16 at HCA Florida Hospital Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, Trinity. Admission costs $12 for members and $15 for others. Register in advance at greaterpasco.com.
- Members trade company literature during Trinity Brochure Exchange from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 17 at Seven Springs Golf and Country Club, 3535 Trophy Blvd., Trinity. Admission is free for members and $10 for others. Register in advance at greaterpasco.com.
- Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers – Hudson holds a third anniversary ribbon cutting from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 17 at 13826 Little Road, Hudson.
- Burkett Ace Hardware holds a ribbon cutting to celebrate its rebranding from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 18 at 4411 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey.
- Members have the chance to meet and mingle during After-Hours Networking Mixer from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. Oct. 23 at Ostara Floral & Events, 6751 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes.
- Members trade company literature during New Port Richey/Port Richey Brochure Exchange from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 24 at VESH, 5811 Richey Drive, Port Richey. Register in advance for this free event.
- The Young Professionals Group convenes networking during Coffee Connections from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 25 at The Daily Vibe Coffee Co., 5738 Main St., New Port Richey. Register in advance for this free event.
Visit greaterpasco.com for registration information for these events and chamber information.
Women-n-Charge meet for networking
LAND O’ LAKES – Women-n-Charge invites the community to meet new business contacts and learn about businesses that may become valuable referral partners.
The meeting starts at noon Oct. 23 at The Groves Golf & Country Club. Doors open for registration, networking and vendor shopping at 11:15 a.m. The event ends around 1:30 p.m.
Registration costs $25 for members and $29 for guests at women-n-charge.com/meetings/. Pay by Oct. 21. RSVP is a must for participation.
Meetings are usually held at noon on the fourth Wednesday of every month.
Email for details.
Miller Joins EXIT Elite Realty
TAMPA – Bernice Miller has joined EXIT Elite Realty’s growing team of real estate sales professionals. EXIT Elite Realty, located at 13911 N. Dale Mabry Hwy.., Suite #201, is a member of EXIT Southeast’s expanding network of independently owned and operated brokerages across the region.
Apply for unemployment assistance due to Hurricane Helene
TALLAHASSEE – FloridaCommerce announced that Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Helene and are not eligible for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits.
Eligible Floridians whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Helene are encouraged to submit a claim at FloridaJobs.org.
This applies to Hillsborough and Pasco counties. The deadline to submit a claim for benefits is no later than Dec. 2, 2024.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available for weeks of unemployment beginning Sept. 29, 2024, through March 29, 2025, as long as unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster in the designated-disaster areas.
State Farm offers insurance tech tips
TAMPA – State Farm urged Florida residents to consider some insurance tech tips leading up to a storm.
The company urges residents to think of their smart phone or other electronic devices as important tools in their hurricane prep kit. Fully charge smart phones and electronic devices before a storm and consider charger/power banks for tech use after the storm.
State Farm also recommends:
- Create a home inventory with pictures, video and apps that can be useful should you have an insurance claim.
- Download/install your insurance app for electronic access to important insurance documents and to receive electronic claim payment.
- Report and take photos of storm damage as soon as possible using your smart phone to file a claim by calling your State Farm agent or 1-800-SFCLAIM, texting the word “CLAIM” to 62789 to receive a link, or submitting a claim directly on the app or at statefarm.com/claims.
State officer warns of danger associated with lithium-ion batteries
TALLAHASSEE – State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis issued a warning to residents and first responders Oct. 4 about a fire hazard with lithium-ion batteries, electric vehicles, as well as hybrid and fuel cell vehicles developing in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
The CFO’s Division of State Fire Marshal has confirmed 16 lithium-ion battery fires related to storm surge from Helene, with six of those fires associated with EVs.
State fire officials believe these statistics to be conservative figures and are working with fire departments statewide to gather more data and determine any structural impacts related to EVs and lithium-battery fires following this storm.
The State Fire Marshal Office is also coordinating with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for guidance on proper lithium-ion battery disposal.
Visit floir.com for disposal tips.
