Alongside 600+ organizations, the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce signed onto a U.S. Chamber of Commerce coalition letter urging the U.S. Senate to build on the House of Representatives’ progress and pass bipartisan, comprehensive permitting reform. The support of this organization underscores the shared recognition that modernizing federal permitting is essential to building, investing, and strengthening our communities and economy.

The letter has been shared with all U.S. Senate offices. The letter has also been featured in recent coverage [Politico Pro’s Morning Energy and shared widely across social platforms. Our charge to Lakeland Chamber members: please help amplify this effort by sharing the letter on your platforms and reminding your Senators that permitting reform must remain a top priority.

​View the full letter below.

On Monday, January 26, 2026, the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce joined communities across Florida to participate in All In for Early Learning Day: a statewide initiative powered by The Children’s Movement of Florida, convening parents, educators, business leaders, local officials, and community partners to highlight the importance of high-quality early learning programs for all Florida children.

“The first five years build the foundation for school success, career readiness, and lifelong health,” said Madeleine Thakur, President & CEO of The Children’s Movement of Florida, in a recorded statement. “Early learning strengthens families, supports today’s workforce, and builds tomorrow’s talent pipeline.”

90% of the brain develops before age five, providing a foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health (Center, n.d.). “What children experience during this time shapes everything that comes next—their confidence, their curiosity, their language development, their ability to form relationships, and their readiness for school,” said Sarah Vespa, General Counsel for GMF Steel Group and a Vice Chair of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “Early learning also strengthens our community. It helps parents work, supports local employers, and builds the future workforce our businesses will rely on… when communities invest in early learning, they see returns in health, education, workforce stability, and long-term economic growth.”

Strong early learning experiences help children show up to kindergarten ready to learn, confident, curious, and on track. In Polk County, only 38% of students are considered “kindergarten ready” by state standards, falling below the state average of 44% (Florida Department of Education, n.d.). Readiness is currently measured by the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) Star Early Literacy assessment, a 20-minute, 27-question exam administered within the first 30 days of kindergarten for all kindergarten students (Florida Department of Education, 2025). Yet research by the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County uncovered additional definitions of kindergarten readiness: self-readiness, the ability to follow directions, and kindness. “If children walk into the classroom ready to treat each other with care and empathy, everything else becomes teachable,” according to ELC CEO, Dr. Marc Hutek (Reynolds, 2025).

Citations
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. (n.d.). Brain architecture. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://developingchild.harvard.edu/key-concept/brain-architecture/

Florida Chamber Foundation & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. (2023). Untapped Potential in FL: How Florida’s childcare crisis is impacting early learning, workforce productivity, and Florida’s economy [Online flipbook]. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://www.flipsnack.com/flchamber/untapped-potential-in-fl/full-view.html

Florida Department of Education. (2025). 2025–26 Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) K–2 fact sheet [PDF]. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://www.fldoe.org/file/20102/2526FASTK2FS.pdf

Florida Department of Education. (n.d.). Kindergarten Readiness. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://www.fldoe.org/accountability/assessments/k-12-studen0074-assessment/best/k-ready.stml

Reynolds, L. (2025, November 26). Planting seeds of kindness: A new chapter of kindergarten readiness for the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County, FL. Highlights Early Learning. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://earlylearning.highlights.com/blogs/the-confident-classroom/planting-seeds-of-kindness-floridas-elc-polk-county-begins-a-new-chapter-in-kindergarten-readiness?srsltid=AfmBOoo6VxS1Mf1_615SkqL3Xc0eIHt3a5FjR_3l0l_G-OSPSGqbEwF

99% of all businesses in the United States are composed of small businesses, and for the past 20 years, small businesses have accounted for roughly 40% of the United States' GDP--equating to trillions of dollars in economic activity.

Shop Small Saturday began in 2010 when American Express launched Small Business Saturday® to encourage people to support local businesses and the communities they anchor, many of whom at the time were hurting during the economic recession. In 2011, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution in support of Small Business Saturday, and by 2012 officials in all 50 states began to participate; they have every year since.  Since then, U.S. consumers have spent an estimated $184 billion at small businesses on Small Business Saturday® alone. What started as a single day of support has now grown into a year-round global movement, inspiring shoppers everywhere to choose small and strengthen their local economies.

When you support a local business, you’re also supporting your town, city, and neighborhood by way of paying sales tax. The sales tax money is used to support public schools, parks, roads, and sidewalks, as well as fund public service workers, like firefighters. 
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Small businesses are deeply engaged in their communities, so, supporting a small business supports your local community. According to the U.S. Chamber’s Small Business Index, nearly all small businesses owners agree that community engagement is important for their business—and are actively engaged in giving back in several ways—including hosting or sponsoring community events, donating to local charities, and forming partnerships with other local businesses.  

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They create jobs, fuel innovation, and keep our communities strong. By designating a day in their honor, we are reminded that these businesses rely on our patronage during critical consumer shopping seasons as well as year-round.

Read more about Small Business Saturday and its impact on small businesses nationwide from our data & information source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce

#BuyLakeland

The U.S. Chamber has delivered a coalition letter to Members of Congress calling for comprehensive permitting reform.  You can find the letter posted on their website here.  529 organizations that signed this letter.
 
Modernizing permitting systems will empower communities and businesses to invest in infrastructure that grows the economy, creates good-paying jobs, and improves quality of life. The coalition is united around four key principles:
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• Predictability: Clear timelines and scope for project reviews.
• Efficiency: Improved interagency coordination to optimize resources.
• Transparency: Accessible visibility into project milestones and schedules.
• Stakeholder Input: Consistent opportunities for input from all relevant parties.

Florida’s property tax system generated $55.18 billion in 2024, funding schools, law enforcement, and local infrastructure. With lawmakers considering additional tax relief proposals for 2026 — including property tax reform or repeal — it’s important to understand how the system works and what changes could mean for businesses and communities.
 
To help answer these questions, the Florida Chamber developed the Florida Property Tax Primer: An Overview of Florida’s Property Tax System and Other Tax Revenue. This nonpartisan resource provides plain-language insights for Chamber members, lawmakers, and stakeholders.
 
Inside, you’ll find:

• How local property taxes are structured in Florida.
• Key differences between homestead and non-homestead properties.
• A breakdown of current collections and who pays the largest share.
• Constitutional and legislative considerations for reform.
• Scenarios outlining potential fiscal trade-offs of repeal or relief.

See the full report below.

As Florida advances toward becoming a Top 10 global economy by 2030, a major factor in achieving this goal is ensuring Florida’s workforce possesses the essential literacy skills to meet the demands of an evolving job market.

The Florida Chamber Foundation’s report, 2025 State of 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency in Florida, provides a comprehensive look at statewide and county-level data trends, demographic disparities, and the direct link between early learning and workforce outcome. 

This research and the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Business Alliance for Early Learning Project is supported by the Florida Business Alliance for Early Learning Advisory Board and the Florida Chamber Foundation Community Development Partnership Council. ​Read the full report below:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) by both the House and Senate, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Suzanne P. Clark issued a statement praising the legislation’s lasting, pro-growth tax reforms for American businesses and workers, as it heads to the president’s desk. 

Why it matters: The bill will prevent one of the largest tax increases in U.S. history, which would have occurred at the end of 2025 when major portions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) were set to expire. A stable, pro-growth tax code will foster an environment where businesses can invest, innovate, and grow, benefiting workers, families, and the broader economy.

“The final passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a landmark accomplishment. We applaud Congressional leaders for coming together to deliver meaningful, long-term tax relief for workers and businesses across the country. By laying the groundwork for sustained economic growth and enhancing America’s global competitiveness, this legislation provides businesses the certainty they need to invest long-term—driving productivity and raising wages for workers. 
“We commend the lawmakers who were instrumental in advancing this comprehensive legislation and look forward to its prompt enactment.”

​Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Legislation to expand access to the School Readiness Program has been filed and the Senate bill, SB 1382, will be heard today in the Senate Education PreK - 12 Committee. This marks a significant step forward in ensuring that Florida’s School Readiness Program, the state’s child care tuition assistance program, meets the needs of working families and supports the state’s long-term economic competitiveness. These bills align with our Chamber's commitment to strengthening Lakeland's workforce by expanding access to quality early learning opportunities.

HB 859 – Enhancing Transparency & Efficiency in School Readiness, and SB 1382 – Expanding Access to School Readiness Programs

HB 859, sponsored by Representative Chase Tramont, and SB 1382, sponsored by Senator Alexis Calatayud, refine eligibility rules, prioritization, and funding distribution within Florida’s School Readiness Program. It ensures a more accurate measure of economic needs and increases efficiency in serving families. The bills require that early learning coalitions actively enroll children from the waiting list, ensuring that more families can have access to critical early learning opportunities that build a strong foundation for lifelong success.

These bills also reinforce the importance of early learning as a workforce issue by expanding access to School Readiness programs for economically disadvantaged households. With early childhood education playing an essential role in developing both cognitive and non-cognitive skills, these bills strengthen Florida’s position as a leader in preparing the next generation of workers while supporting families in need.

HB 859 and SB 1382 will:

• Improve access by shifting eligibility from the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to State Median Income (SMI), better reflecting the financial realities of Florida’s working families.
• Enhance accountability through stronger performance tracking for kindergarten readiness outcomes.
• Increase transparency and efficiency by establishing clearer guidelines for eligibility and funding distribution.

The Lakeland Chamber recognizes that access to high-quality early childhood education is not just an educational priority but also a workforce necessity. A strong early learning system directly impacts our economic future by improving school readiness, reducing future remediation costs, and ensuring a steady pipeline of talent to keep Florida competitive.

In a new policy research report informed by the Florida Business Alliance for Early Learning Project, the Florida Chamber Foundation makes the data-driven case for how a shift to State Median Income as the eligibility measure for School Readiness could be a game-changer for Florida’s workforce and economy. Explore the report on our blog.