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Awards announced at Indian River County Chamber of Commerce celebration
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VERO BEACH — The Indian River County Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 99th annual awards ceremony with 10 winners and special recognitions. The night was celebrated with a warm welcome, state of the chamber address and a remembrance poem of Alma Lee Loy by Sean Sexton in addition to the awards.
For nearly 100 years the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce has hosted this awards celebration to commend its members and celebrate their achievements. The April 15 event was hosted at The Loop at Riverside Theatre and had over 100 members and staff in attendance.
One award recipient, Carrie Adams said of her award and years of involvement, “I was surprised and grateful to be awarded director of the year at this year’s annual award ceremony. The chamber and this community hold a special place in my heart, and I’m proud to be involved as
both a business member and board member.”
Winners included: Morgen Reynolds, Bill Hachmeister, and Laurie Collings as Chamber Champion Winners; Anna Valencia Tillery, Rebecca Moon, and Paul Lytle as Ambassadors of the year; Carrie Adams as Director of the Year; Keith Kite as Tourism Advocate; Piper Aircraft as Innovator of the Year; and the Cleveland Clinic Indian River as Essential Heroes Special
Recognition.
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Retailers, consumers get three tax-free holidays
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Three tax holidays established this session by the Florida Legislature. The law renews two historic sales tax holidays for Florida consumers to prepare for back-to-school and hurricane season.
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature have created new tax holiday, "2021 Freedom Week," to enable Floridians to save on summer supplies, activities and events while renewing two existing tax holidays.
The holidays passed by the Legislature were signed into law by DeSantis on May 2.1
The Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday will run over ten days, beginning on May 28 through June 6. Floridians will find these hurricane preparation supplies to be tax-free:
Portable self-powered light source selling for $40 or less;
Certain portable radios selling for $50 or less;
Tarps selling for $100 or less;
Ground anchor systems or tie-down kits selling for $100 or less;
A gas or diesel fuel tank selling for $50 or less;
Packages of certain battery types, selling for $50 or less;
A nonelectric food storage cooler selling for $60 or less;
Portable generators for use in a power outage selling for $1,000 or less;
Reusable ice selling for $20 or less; and
Portable power banks selling for $60 or less.
Florida's new 2021 Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday will begin July 1 through July 7 to encourage residents to enjoy time outside of the house again. The measure will help support local retail businesses and entertainment and boost Florida's economy. Tax-free items include the following events scheduled from July 1 through December 31, 2021:
Live music events;
Live sporting events;
Movies at the movie theater;
Entry to a museum, including any annual passes;
Entry to a state park, including any annual passes;
Entry to a ballet, play, or musical theatre performance;
Season tickets for ballets, plays, music events, or musical theatre performances;
Entry to a fair, festival, or cultural event; or
Access or use of private and/or membership clubs providing physical fitness facilities.
The holiday also includes tax-free purchases on Florida-related recreational supplies including boating and water activity, camping, fishing, general outdoor supplies and sports equipment.
The criteria for tax-free savings on boating and water activities include:
The first $75 on the price of life jackets and coolers;
The first $50 on the price of safety flares;
The first $150 on the price of water skis, wakeboards, kneeboards, and recreational inflatable water tubes;
The first $300 on the price of paddleboards and surfboards;
The first $500 on the price of canoes and kayaks;
The first $75 on the price of paddles and oars; and
The first $25 on the price of snorkels, goggles, and swimming masks.
Floridians may also enjoy tax-free purchases on the following camping supplies:
The first $200 on the price of purchase of tents;
The first $50 on the price of sleeping bags, portable hammocks, camping stoves, and collapsible camping chairs; and
The first $30 on the price of camping lanterns and flashlights.
Florida shoppers more interested in fishing can find savings on:
The first $75 on the price of individual rods and reels; or
The first $150 on the price of a set of rods and reels;
The first $30 on the price of tackle boxes or bags; and
The first $5 on the price of individual bait or fishing tackle; or
The first $10 on the price of multiple bait and tackle items sold together.
Other recreational savings include tax-free purchases such as:
Up to the first $15 on the price of sunscreen or insect repellant;
The first $100 on a pair of sunglasses;
The first $200 on a pair of binoculars;
The first $30 on the price of water bottles;
The first $50 on the price of hydration packs;
The first $250 of the sales price of outdoor gas or charcoal grills;
The first $50 of the sales price of bicycle helmets; and
The first $250 of the sales price of bicycles.
Floridians can also save on equipment used for individual or team sports purposes. This does not include clothing or footwear selling for $40 or less.
The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is scheduled from July 31 through August 9. Florida families will be eligible to purchase clothing and school supplies without paying sales tax. School-related items include:
Clothing and shoes, priced $60 or less per item;
Backpacks, handbags and wallets, priced $60 or less per item;
School supplies, priced $15 or less per item; and
Personal computers or personal computer-related accessories, up to $1,000 per item will be tax-free.
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Remember Treasure Coast nonprofits
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If you are in a position, consider a gift to a Treasure Coast nonprofit affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Find the needs of many area nonprofits and how to give at treasurecoastnonprofits.com
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As a service to readers and restaurants on the Treasure Coast, Indian River Magazine Inc. has created a website directory of restaurants, bars, breweries and wineries in St. Lucie, Indian River and Martin counties. The site includes hours of operation, if carryout/delivery is available, as well as popular dishes. See the site at treasurecoastrestaurants.com
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Does your business have news of a reopening or change in operations due to COVID-19 that you would like us to share with readers of this newsletter?
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Promote your business where it matters
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 If you would like a copy of Treasure Coast Business, click here. To advertise click here or contact your advertising representative. To report news about your business click here. |
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