Dr. Dixon was chosen from a highly competitive pool of applicants nationwide. She joins 32 other chamber of commerce executives, economic development professionals, and association leaders from across the country.

The Business Leads Fellowship Program equips business leaders with the knowledge, tools, and network to tackle critical education and workforce challenges in their communities. This specialized Master Class will focus on addressing the growing child care crisis — a barrier to workforce participation and economic growth in many regions.

​The program kicks off with an in-person session in May 2025 in Boise, Idaho, followed by a series of virtual learning sessions. Participants will connect with national experts, study successful community models, and develop strategies to support local child care solutions.

"As a single mother and former educator, I understand firsthand how critical access to affordable, high-quality child care is for working families. This issue isn’t just personal — it’s a workforce issue and an economic issue. I’m honored to represent the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce in this national effort to create real, community-driven solutions that support both our families and our local businesses."

Through this program, Dr. Dixon will help build a national community of practice focused on addressing child care challenges, positioning the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce as a local leader in workforce and family support initiatives.

The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Committee, along with community partners from Lakeland Electric and the Bartow Chamber, conducted the Chamber's annual Capitol Visits to meet with legislators to discuss the Chamber's 2025 Legislative Priorities.

Our friends at the Florida Chamber of Commerce kicked off our Capitol Visits with an overview of progress during the legislative session, issues on the watchlist, as well as a presentation of the state of education in Polk County. Attendees then met with all members of our local delegation, including Senate President Ben Albritton, Senator Colleen Burton,  Representative Jennifer Canady, Representative Josie Tomkow, Representative Jennifer Kincart Jonsson, and Representative Jon Albert.

On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the House Ways & Means Committee advanced Proposed Committee Bill WMC1, which includes a reduction of the Florida-only Business Rent Tax from two percent down to 1.25 percent, saving local businesses approximately $310 million annually. Florida remains the only state in the nation that charges a tax on commercial leases, which puts Florida’s job creators at a competitive disadvantage compared to every other state in the nation. The reduction in this Florida-only tax will allow local businesses to hire new employees, reinvest in their business, and invest in their communities.

As negotiations with the Senate are ongoing, the Florida Chamber is actively engaged with lawmakers in the House and Senate working to ensure business-friendly tax relief, especially a reduction of the Florida-only Business Rent Tax, is included in the final product.

Through the Business Rent Tax Coalition, the Florida Chamber has led the effort to fully repeal this tax, starting with its first reduction from six percent to 5.8 percent in 2017. The Chamber remains committed to advocating for further tax reductions that support Florida local businesses, aligning with the Florida 2030 Blueprint goal of making Florida’s business tax climate the best in the nation by 2030.

Source: Florida Chamber of Commerce