SB 1514, one of the Lakeland Chamber’s 2012 Legislative Priorities, closing the Internet sales tax loophole, has passed the Senate Commerce & Tourism Committee. This legislation is specifically important to small businesses because it:

• Requires equal application of the law between online-only and brick-and-mortar retailers to ensure sales and use taxes are collected in a simple and fair fashion;
• Protects consumers by ensuring that an online-only retailer properly collects and remits sales tax and does not leave the burden on customers; and
• Ensures small businesses investing in our communities are not punished by an unfair tax advantage for internet-only retailers.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce also recognizes the importance of this issue and is closely monitoring it’s progress in Tallahassee. ”This is a major step forward,” said Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.  “We applaud lawmakers for advancing revenue-neutral e-fairness legislation in the Senate.  It represents a lifeline to struggling small businesses and Senate leaders deserve a lot of credit for their timely efforts in support of Main Street.”

To learn more about how the Florida Chamber is working to level the playing field for Florida’s businesses, visit the e-fairness issue page at www.FloridaChamber.com.

More than 500 L.E.D. lights were recently installed in Lakeland Regional’s parking garage, making the area brighter and safer for patients, visitors and employees. In addition, the new lights will allow LRMC to realize an annual cost-savings of up to $100,000 and reduce the hospital’s carbon footprint.

“Beyond the sustainability and ‘green’ initiative, the new lighting produces a clear, brighter and whiter light that eliminates shadows and dark spots,” said Tim Jones, Assistant Director, Safety and Security.  “It improves our surveillance ability, both hands on, and via closed circuit camera systems — all of this is a definite boost to security.”

The L.E.D. lights are monitored by sensors and if an area of the garage has been vacant for more than 30 minutes, the lights will begin operating at a 10 percent reduced level, producing an energy savings.

“Through this project, we have taken the opportunity to conserve energy and save dollars that can now be used in other areas for the delivery of exceptional healthcare,” said Tim Mercier, Facilities and Support Director.

Allen & Company of Florida will host a live webcast of today’s 25th annual Economic Forecast Breakfast with speakers Brian Wesbury and Dr. Tiny Villamil.

The event begins promptly at 7:30 a.m. at AllenInvestments.com/category/seminar-series

On Thursday, January 26, Florida Technical College located at 4715 South Florida Avenue will host a job fair for students and the general public. FTC offers programs in business, criminal justice, paralegal, computer aided drafting, medical assistant, medical administration assistant, medical billing and coding, and patient care technician.

The job fair is scheduled to take place from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. The event will open to the general public at 5 p.m.

Tables and chairs are provided to interested participants. For more information or to reserve your space, please contact Rob Evans at (863) 619-6200 or revans@ftccollege.edu

Wendy Plant of the University of South Florida Polytechnic was recently appointed secretary of the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE).

Plant serves as business development manager for USF Poly’s Blue Sky business incubator and accelerator programs. She is responsible for advising business incubation clients and supporting the development of student groups and programs focused on entrepreneurship activities.

“I am honored to accept this appointment and represent Blue Sky and USF Polytechnic in this prestigious organization,” she said. “I’m looking forward to bringing innovative ideas and methods for integrating entrepreneurship education into new venture creation into the work we are doing at Blue Sky.  I’m committed to sharing the benefits of this association with our clients and students.”

Dr. Rebecca White, USASBE’s president elect and the Walter Distinguished Chair of Entrepreneurship at the University of Tampa, commented on her rationale for selecting Plant for this important appointment.

“It is critical to USASBE that we have someone in this position who deeply understands the entrepreneurship education community.  Wendy has been involved in entrepreneurship education at the collegiate level for a number of years and is a perfect fit.  We are very pleased she has accepted this nomination.”

Plant earned a bachelor’s degree from Rollins College and an MBA from the University of Tampa. She has several years of experience teaching entrepreneurship and management and working in business incubation.

The USASBE is the largest independent, professional, academic organization in the world dedicated to advancing the discipline of entrepreneurship.  With over 1000 members from universities and colleges, for-profit businesses, nonprofit organizations, and the public sector, USASBE is a diverse mix of professionals that share a common commitment to fostering entrepreneurial attitudes and behaviors.

USF Polytechnic’s Blue Sky facilities are the first public business technology incubators in Polk County. They focus on attracting and nurturing entrepreneurial businesses in an environment where USF Poly faculty, staff, and students can work with businesses to develop innovative technology. Incubated companies benefit from the proximity to and resources of a national research university as well as the assets of economic development networks.