News

City of Stuart Weekly - November 6, 2026

 City of Stuart Awarded $1.866 Million Through FRA’s Rail Crossing Elimination (Crossings) Grant Program The City of Stuart has been awarded $1.866 million through the FY 25-26 Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Rail Crossing Elimination Grant Program to advance the city's Rail Corridor Safety and Mobility Project. A total of 91 grants across 37 states totaling $1.24 billion were awarded. The City of Stuart is the only municipality in Florida selected to receive funding through this

Celebrating the Season of Giving at Council on Aging

November 2026Dear Friends, One of the greatest joys of my job is saying thank you. Every day, I have reasons to be grateful: for the clients and families who entrust us with their care, our staff whose dedication brings our mission to life, the donors and supporters whose generosity sustains our work, and the community partners who help us bring more resources to seniors in need.  Some of the most meaningful moments come when that gratitude finds its way back to us. Just this past week, I received a

Community Updates from Commissioner Heard 11/06/2026

Martin County Commissioner Sarah HeardDistrict 4 Newsletter, November 6, 2026Dear Friends, Amendment 3 has been approved by Florida's voters so we will begin testing what changes will occur in Martin County as a result. Martin County is particularly dependent upon residential property taxes. 41% of our budget is funded by property taxes. Our professional budget office has forecast a loss of $42 million in year one, $75 million in year two and $170 million in year three. Following is the letter that

Lawsuit Abuse Costs American Families Nearly $5,000 Annually

November 6, 2026  Chamber BulletinKEY TAKEAWAYSLawsuit abuse costs the average family $4,900 a year. But reforms can put money back in people's pockets.   Opening up more offshore energy opportunities could support more than 133,000 jobs. How Legal Reform Can Make Life More AffordableThe average American household now absorbs $4,900 a year in costs and compensation tied to the U.S. tort system, according to new research from U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform

Your News to Use 11/9/2026

 Florida Shines on Wheel of Fortune       Wheel of Fortune’s Live More Floridays Week launches today and delivers a powerful brand moment for Florida. For the second consecutive year, VISIT FLORIDA is collaborating with Sony Pictures Television’s iconic game show for a week-long Florida spotlight airing November 9–13, 2026, following a special Live More Floridays episode on November 6.

Upcoming Live Online Workshops for Small Businesses

718 Upcoming WorkshopsUpdated as of 11/9/26 *** NEW ***   Building an Effective Social Media StrategyNovember 11th @ 10:00 am I Fee: $20Walk through the playbook setting goals, tracking metrics, benchmarking performance, and unlocking the hidden potential in your content calendar.Learn how to overcome the top challenges crushing social media users right now: Reaching the right audienceCreating effective contentMeeting engagement goalsConstructing a strategy that produces

Learn How to Construct Your Own Effective Social Media Strategy

*** NEW ***Building an Effective Social Media StrategyNovember 11th @ 10:00AM I Fee: $20Location:Online WorkshopCrafting an unstoppable social media approach isn't about throwing content at the wall and hoping it sticks. It's about strategy, precision, and results.This Live Online Workshop walks you through the exact playbook to set goals AND hit them. You will learn about:Tracking metricsBenchmarking performanceUnlocking hidden potentialCreating content that convertsJoin us and walk away with an

Adaptability Is a Must-Have Skill

     November 2026     The New Career Currency: AdaptabilityWork can change fast—new tools, different shifts, and new ways of getting the job done. Staying open to learning and ready to adjust can help you succeed on your current assignment and be ready when the next opportunity comes along.               Advance Your Accounting CareerLooking to move forward in accounting? Accountants who expand their skills, earn relevant certifications, embrace new technologies, and

2026 Holiday Magic Fund

    Elizabeth BarbellaPresident & CEO  772.288.3795 officeElizabeth@tcfmsl.orgTheCommunityFoundationMartinStLucie.org  851 SE Monterey Commons BoulevardStuart, FL 34996

Small Business Workshops: November 5-21

Trouble viewing? View in your browser.Small Business Workshops | November 5-21Here's a two-week preview of upcoming workshops.November 5, 12:00pm ETHow to Hire an SEO Agency in 2026: Interview Questions to AskREGISTERNovember 5, 6:00pm ETPreparing HR for the New Year: A Must-Have Year-End ChecklistREGISTERNovember 5, 6:00pm ETTurning Entrepreneurs Into Homeowners & Building OwnersREGISTERNovember 9, 6:00pm ETGet Your Local Business on Google Search and MapsREGISTERNovember 10, 12:00pm ETNonprofit Doesn’t

Reminder: It's time for your monthly catch-up 11/2/2026

   Dear FP Friends & Family,I’m excited to share a fun opportunity with you, just after I bring you up to speed on a few things I want you to know. Family homelessness often begins long before a family loses housing. It starts when housing costs consume so much of a paycheck that one setback can push a family into crisis.This month, as we gear up for our big event (our Bed Races on November 14th), we want you—our Family Promise family—to be the most knowledgeable people in our community about childhood

Property Appraiser E-News November 2026

Out in the CommunityThroughout October, our office had the pleasure of attending several community events across Martin County. These gatherings gave us a wonderful opportunity to discuss the proposed constitutional amendment, homestead exemptions, and provide updates on new construction and development thoroughout Martin County.Proposed Property Tax AmendmentBuying or Selling a Home?There is a lot to consider when buying or selling a home in Florida. Our office has created educational flyers that provide

This Week’s SCORE Workshops: November 2-9

Trouble viewing? View in your browser.Small Business Workshops | November 2-9Here's a look at the workshops coming up next week.November 2, 6:00pm ETSimple Steps for Starting a Business: Revenue & Profit ProjectionsLearn about financial planning, financial statements, and options for financing your business.REGISTERNovember 2, 6:00pm ETHR 101: Hiring, Firing and Other Key HR Basics for Small Business OwnersGet familiar with the essential HR and employment law topics every small business owner should

FAU Harbor Branch News: 11/2/2026

 Trouble viewing this email?Click here. October 2026FAU Receives $1.3M NOAA Grant to Study Harmful Algal Blooms Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute has received a $1.3 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science to investigate the environmental and biological drivers of recurring and prolonged harmful algal blooms (HABs) in subtropical estuaries. Led by Mingshun Jiang, Ph.D., the

TCBA, Here to Serve Our Members!

Share the excitement that you are a proud member of the TCBA!IndexBuilder NewsHelp Region 4 Bring Home the Karaoke CrownFHBA: The New Building Code Takes Effect December 31, Are You Ready?Immigration EnforcementPriced-Out Housing CalculatorIndian River County Building Division Moves Plans Examiner of the DayTCBA in ActionAnnual Golf Tournament Upcoming EventsConstruction Night OutProfessional Women in Building LuncheonFuture EventsUpcoming MeetingsBuilder Breakfast in OkeechobeeBuilder

Upcoming Live Online Workshops for Small Businesses

Updated as of 11/2/26Unlock Federal Contracting OpportunitiesNovember 3rd @ 10:00 am I Fee: $10ThisLive Online Workshop will provide guidance into how to research Federal Contracting databases, identify potential sales opportunities, and determine qualification requirements.Learn about:How to Conduct Market ResearchCurrent OpportunitiesHistorical Information on AwardsSBA Small Business Assistance Program CertificationsOnline Bid/Proposals and Standard FormsLOCATION: Online WorkshopMore Information &

NovaGenix Celebrates 10 Years: A Decade of Care, Community and Connection

This September, NovaGenix Health & Wellness celebrates 10 years in business. Since opening our doors in Jupiter, Florida, in 2016, our story has been shaped by friendship, teamwork and the patients who have placed their trust in us. Helping patients all across the treasure coast, its been an incredible decade.  An anniversary gives us a reason to pause—to look through old photographs, remember the early days and appreciate everyone who helped us reach this point. Before we look ahead, we want to say

Why Cybersecurity Is a Shared Responsibility for Small Businesses

Many small business owners think about cybersecurity as an IT department responsibility or a one-and-done task. Comcast Business's newly released 2026 Cybersecurity Threat Report makes it clear that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility and a risk for small businesses in the Treasure Coast.  The report analyzed 79.3 billion cybersecurity events over the past year, which is roughly 2,514 per second. In Small Business Month 2026 (May) alone, Comcast Business blocked threats targeting small businesses at

Spirit of Philanthropy to be Celebrated Nov. 13

Stuart, FL -- Join the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Treasure Coast Chapter, in celebrating the spirit of giving and generosity at the annual National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon on Friday, November 13, 2026, at Willoughby Golf Club in Stuart. Registration begins at 11:30am, and the program begins at noon. This special celebration will honor the power and impact of philanthropy in the Treasure Coast, plus special recognition of the 2026 celebration award nominees.  Nominees for the

Trust Sells: The Marketing Strategy That Wins Customers

Trouble viewing? View in your browser. Small Business Workshop Trust-Based Marketing: Building Credibility, Authority, and Demand    October 28, 2026 @ 12:00 pm EDTCost: $10.00Duration: 120 minutes   LIVE ONLINE WorkshopTrust-Based Marketing: Building Credibility, Authority, and Demand In today’s noisy marketplace, small businesses don’t just need more visibility—they need more trust. Buyers are overwhelmed by ads, skeptical

In-Person Registration Closes This Week!

REGISTERSPONSORIn-Person Registration Closes This Thursday.Register your team now!. Your F3 Experience Starts Next Tuesday!Here is What's on the Agenda: Thursday is your last chance to register to attend the2026 Future of Florida Forum (F3) & Florida Chamber Annual Meetingin person, October 27-28, at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek.Register now to secure a front-row seat to this premier 2-day event, where Florida's business, political, non-profit, and community leaders will unite to focus on securing

Early Voting and Election Day Information

What Happened When Sarah Opened the Door?

           The Day Sarah Found Home           Sarah and her daughter spent months without a place to call home.  Some nights they found space in a shelter, and other nights they slept in their car. Sarah worked long hours delivering for a local delivery company, often just to give her daughter a good night’s sleep in a hotel. Through all of it, she kept working to provide what she could.  Then came the day they opened the door to their Villages of Hope apartment for the first

Wear purple with SafeSpace this Thursday

 Wear purple. Help someone find support.A purple shirt can start a conversation. What we share next can help someone find the support they need.This Thursday, Oct. 22, join SafeSpace for Wear Purple Day in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Wear purple at work, gather your community group or invite a friend to participate.Share your photo using #AwarenessToAction and include SafeSpace’s 24/7 hotline, 772-288-7023. You can also share our website, SafeSpaceFL.org, where people can learn about

November Community Lectures

View this email in your browserCLICK HERE TO SEE ALL UPCOMING EVENTSNovember 2026 Community Calendar Breathe Easy: What You Need to Know About Lung Health Take a deep breath and discover how to keep your lungs working their best. This informative program will explore asthma and COPD, signs and symptoms you shouldn’t ignore, and today’s approaches to managing chronic lung conditions. You’ll also learn about lung cancer screenings, who may benefit and why early detection matters. Gain practical information to

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Tourism Support to Northwest Florida Following Hurricane Isaias

For Immediate Release: October 14, 2026Contact: Governor’s Press Office, (850) 717-9282,  media@eog.myflorida.com Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Tourism Support to Northwest Florida Following Hurricane Isaias  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced a $1 million investment through VISIT FLORIDA to support tourism recovery efforts in Northwest Florida following Hurricane Isaias. The funding will be awarded to the Northwest Florida Tourism Council to resume the

Trust Sells: The Marketing Strategy That Wins Customers

 Small Business Workshop Trust-Based Marketing: Building Credibility, Authority, and Demand    October 28, 2026 @ 12:00 pm EDTCost: $10.00Duration: 120 minutes   LIVE ONLINE WorkshopTrust-Based Marketing: Building Credibility, Authority, and Demand In today’s noisy marketplace, small businesses don’t just need more visibility—they need more trust. Buyers are overwhelmed by ads, skeptical of sales tactics, and selective about

From Solopreneur to Sales Team: Hiring Your First Salesperson

Trouble viewing? View in your browser. Small Business Workshop Hiring Your First Salesperson: A Solopreneur’s Playbook    October 21, 2026 @ 9:00 am EDTCost: $10.00Duration: 120 minutes   LIVE ONLINE WorkshopHiring Your First Salesperson: A Solopreneur’s Playbook Hiring your first salesperson is one of the biggest growth decisions a business owner can make — and one of the riskiest. A poor hire can cost $150K+ and set growth

2026 Amendment Voter Guide

For your convenience...please see the following James Madison Institute Voter Guide for the Nov. 2026 ballot amendments.   TABLE OF AMENDMENTS   TYPETITLESUBJECTDESCRIPTIONFlorida LegislatureAmendment 1State Budget / Fiscal PolicyRaises the cap on Florida's budget stabilization ("rainy day") fund from 10% to 25% of general revenue, requires annual transfers into the fund, and sets conditions for withdrawals.Florida LegislatureAmendment

October 11, 2026 - National Manufacturing Month

The Mayfield Minute - October 11, 2026Good Morning!National Manufacturing WeekNational Manufacturing Week highlights the vital role American industry plays in driving innovation, creating high-quality jobs, strengthening national security, and maintaining global economic competitiveness. Launched by the Manufacturing Institute in 2011, National Manufacturing Week aims to showcase modern, high-tech manufacturing careers, challenge outdated stereotypes of the industry, and inspire the next generation of

Sen. Rick Scott Shares Hurricane Isaias Resources

Sen. Rick Scott Shares Hurricane Isaias ResourcesDear Fellow Floridian,We are just hours away from Hurricane Isaias impacting Florida’s Gulf Coast. Now is the time for all Floridians, especially those in the Panhandle, to take steps to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their homes.Floridians in the Panhandle should be ready for: life-threatening storm surge, strong winds and potential tornadoes, and heavy rainfall and flooding. Please listen to local officials! If they say evacuate, then GET OUT.

Molly’s House made the news!

        Did you happen to catch Molly’s House on WPTV? We’re still smiling about it.  As part of our 30th anniversary, WPTV’s T.A. Walker stopped by Molly’s House to shine a light on the families who walk through our doors—and the dream that started it all 30 years ago.         [WATCH THE STORY]     The story features some familiar faces, including Molly’s sister Kate and

FEMA is awarding Florida more than $46.4 million

FEMA is awarding Florida more than $46.4 million for projects that will prevent, eliminate or reduce future disaster-related damage.  The efforts will focus on cost-effective residential mitigation projects statewide, including work on 62 homes through elevations, property acquisitions, demolitions and reconstruction of eligible homes. The wheels of the bus fall off!Commissioner Capps is a frustrated teacher!Great job if you can get it!Tax rate remains the same, but BOCC gets $41,404,488 more of your tax

A Buyer's Guide to AI Animation Generators for Treasure Coast Tourism and Marine Businesses

On the Treasure Coast, motion sells. A few seconds of water moving, a sailfish breaking the surface, a boat easing out of a Stuart marina at first light: short animated clips stop the scroll in a way a still image cannot. For the tourism operators, waterfront businesses, and marine and boating retailers that drive so much of Martin County's economy, animated social content has become table stakes, and AI animation generators now let a small team produce it without a video crew or an editing suite. That

Chapman School of Seamanship named Maritime Center of Excellence for Workforce Training and Education

U.S. Department of Transportation (MARAD) Designates Chapman School of Seamanship a Maritime Center of Excellence for Domestic Workforce Training and Education  Federal designation recognizes Chapman’s maritime training, workforce outcomes, and role in preparing the next generation of America’s maritime professionalsSTUART, Fla. — August 25, 2026 — Charles F. Chapman School of Seamanship has been designated a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education by the U.S. Department

Create Marketing Content with Adobe Firefly: A Practical Guide for Local Auto Repair Shops

What Is Adobe Firefly? Adobe Firefly is a standalone generative artificial intelligence application built to assist small businesses and creators with visual asset generation through plain language instructions. The system operates via a web browser interface, converting detailed text descriptions into accurate graphics, stylized artwork, or high definition video sequences. Every output generated through its production ready features is certified and cleared for commercial marketing use, protecting your

Ecopreneurship 101: A Green Business and Marketing Guide for Treasure Coast Entrepreneurs

The Treasure Coast is one of Florida's most ecologically distinct regions — home to the Indian River Lagoon, the St. Lucie River, and a business community that has long treated environmental stewardship as a civic value, not a marketing angle. The Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce is a member of the River Coalition, which signals something real about how local businesses relate to the natural systems around them. That context matters if you're thinking about launching a business

How Multiple Consultants Improve Business Performance and Decision-Making

Businesses of all sizes rely on consultants to solve problems, improve performance, and unlock growth. A consultant is a specialized professional who offers expert advice in a defined area such as finance, marketing, operations, or technology. Rather than depending on a single perspective, many companies benefit from working with different consultants across disciplines.Key Takeaways at a Glance Different consultants bring specialized expertise that internal teams may lack. External advisors offer

The Treasure Coast Business Guide to Video and Audio Marketing Without a Production Budget

Video and audio have become the default language of digital discovery — and for member businesses across Martin County and Port St. Lucie, that shift is too significant to ignore. How widely video has been adopted tells the story plainly: 91% of businesses now use video as a marketing tool, with 93% of video marketers calling it an important part of their overall strategy. Port St. Lucie is one of Florida's fastest-growing cities, with a metro area topping 500,000 residents and rising. The chamber members