A more than decade-long push by business groups will pay off next week with the end of a state sales tax on commercial leases.

The tax, widely known as the business rent tax, will go away Oct. 1 after 57 years as part of a wide-ranging tax package that lawmakers passed in June. The change will come as nearly 30 new laws hit the books Oct. 1.

“By Florida eliminating the business rent tax, it’s going to lower the cost of doing business in Florida, which will help lower the cost of living here,” Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson said.

The business rent tax began in 1968, when the state sales-tax rate stood at 4 percent. The rent tax rate increased as the overall sales-tax rate went up in 1984 and 1988, reaching 6 percent.
Over the past decade, with business groups clamoring against the tax, legislators slowly chipped away at the rent tax rate. It has been 2 percent since June 2024, according to a House staff analysis.

The elimination is projected to collectively save businesses nearly $1.15 billion during the current fiscal year, which will run through June 30. That amount is projected to increase to $1.53 billion next fiscal year.

The Chamber of Commerce highlighted the tax as part of its Florida 2030 Blueprint report released nearly a decade ago. The business group said the tax made Florida less competitive with other states, as it generated about $3 billion a year in tax revenue at the time.

​“Now $3 billion a year goes back into local businesses that they can pour back into their people, back into equipment, back into innovation, back into helping their customers,” Wilson said.

Source: Florida Chamber of Commerce
Contact: Carolyn Johnson, Vice President, Government Affairs  |  [email protected] | 850.521.1235

2025 ATHENA Leadership Award Finalists:
Blair Allen, Public Defender for Florida's 10th Judicial Circuit
Olive Gaye, GenCare Resources
Patricia Uiterwyk, Venue Salon & Spa
 
2025 ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award Finalists:
Ashley Gibson Barnett, Nicholas and Ashley Barnett Foundation
Kelsey Jaffer, United Way of Central Florida
Christin Strawbridge, Catapult Lakeland

Finalists will be honored and recipients announced at the 2025 ATHENA Leadership Awards Luncheon Presented By Orlando Health on October 8, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at Haus 820. The keynote speaker will be Kourtney Sanchez, Chief Impact Officer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

For additional information, including past ATHENA Award recipients and event registration, please visit https://www.lakelandchamber.com/athena-awards.html.

Tickets to this year's luncheon are available on our website: ​bit.ly/46b3OWj

On Wednesday, August 27, Watson Clinic hosted a special Topping Off Ceremony on the construction site of their sprawling new medical campus in south Lakeland. The ceremony marks a tradition in the world of construction as it celebrates the placement of the final beam at the highest point of a structure. In this instance, the Clinic proudly celebrated two new structures, which are both scheduled to open in the Summer of 2026.

Located at 4060 Lakeland Highlands Road, Watson Clinic Parkway Medical Center is a four-story, 80,000-square-foot facility housing some of the Clinic’s most popular specialties, including Urology, Orthopaedic Surgery, General Surgery, OB/GYN and many others. Patients will also benefit from on-site imaging and laboratory capabilities, and other features designed for operational efficiency and patient comfort. The second new facility, located at 4050 Lakeland Highlands Road, will be named Watson Clinic Surgery Center South. This 30,000-square-foot facility will offer convenient outpatient surgical procedures for patients who don’t require an overnight stay. Both facilities will be steps away from the Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital, completing a medical campus designed to serve a patient’s every medical need.

Watson Clinic Parkway Medical Center and Watson Clinic Surgery Center South will be operated exclusively by Watson Clinic, much like their additional 20 locations across Polk, Pasco and Hillsborough counties, while the hospital is a joint collaboration between Watson Clinic and Orlando Health.

“This campus delivers flexibility to both our patients and our medical teams,” Chief Executive Officer Jason Hirsbrunner explained from the podium to the attending crowd. “You can schedule your regular doctor’s appointments at the Watson Clinic Parkway Medical Center, outpatient surgical procedures can be performed at our Watson Clinic Surgery Center South facility, and longer inpatient stays can take place at the Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital.”

Conveniently situated directly off the Polk Parkway, the campus will be easily accessible to patients across every corner of Polk County and beyond.  To keep up-to-date on the campus, stay connected to Watson Clinic’s social media platforms or visit WatsonClinic.com/NewCampus.

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.

The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the members of Leadership Lakeland Class XLII (42), a group of passionate local leaders ready to shape the future of Lakeland.
​
Leadership Lakeland is an annual program designed to identify leadership and enhance existing leadership in our community. Class XLII Chair, Will Link, Attorney at Reed Mawhinney & Link, looks forward to the experiences the class will share together.

“Leadership Lakeland Class XLII brings together a sharp group of doers, thinkers, and community builders,” says Link. “It’s already clear they’re not here just to graduate from a program—they’re here to lean in, ask good questions, and find meaningful ways to strengthen our already vibrant city.”

Class XLII will participate in a series of monthly "class days" and leadership development experiences where they will gain valuable insights into Lakeland through hands-on experiences that will empower them as leaders in the Lakeland community. Class XLII includes:

● Kristin Aiken, President & CEO, Achievement Academy
● Kevin Albaum, Shareholder, Clark, Campbell, Lancaster, Workman & Airth, P.A.
● Andrea Anderson, REALTOR®, S&D Real Estate Services
● Erin Avella, Corporate Purchasing - Wine Buyer, Publix Super Markets, Inc.
● Sarah Betzer, FVP / Human Resources Director, Bank of Central Florida
● Michelle Boley, Owner, Boley Insurance GEICO Local Office
● Paige Campbell, Quality & Risk Director, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
● Gretchen Ceranic, Executive Director, Success by 6, United Way of Central Florida
● Katie Elaine Clements, Owner / Operator, Kid Cafe, LLC
● Angel Davis, President, Junior League of Greater Lakeland
● Jason Davis, Chief Estimator, GMF Steel Group
● Dr. Joseph Demidovich, III, Attending Physician, Lakeland Regional Health
● Brent A. Elliot, Chief Financial Officer, Highland Homes
● Emily Crain Evans, Senior Associate Attorney, GrayRobinson
● Araceli Gauna-Scattolini, Co-Owner / Chief Operating Officer, Atala Counseling
● Rob Hernandez, Deputy City Manager, City of Lakeland
● Drew Howard, Director of Athletics & Dean of Wellness, Florida Southern College
● Tanya Susan Jooste, Learning Operations Manager, Amazon Air – KLAL
● Terrie Lobb, Owner / President, TLC Catering
● Audrey Mason, Director of Operations, Double M Aviation
● Eric Michaels, Marketing and Event Director, Lakeland Downtown Development Authority
● Marilyn Paul, Executive Director, Options for Women Pregnancy Health Clinic, Inc.
● Mark Shapiro, AVP, Residential Lending Officer, Citizens Bank and Trust
● Bruce Duncan Phillips, President, Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware
● Lee Valadez, VP / Area Manager, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union
● Dr. Guillermo O. Vasquez, Internal Medicine Physician, Watson Clinic LLP
● Victoria Alexa Wagner, AVP OH & Chief Operating Officer, Orlando Health
● Kelley Christopher Wilson, Financial Advisor, CPS Investment Advisors

Dr. Takiyah Dixon, Director of Business Resources for the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, serves as Leadership Lakeland Program Director. The excitement she feels for the incoming class is second to none.

“I’m excited to watch the professional and personal growth of these leaders over the next nine months,” says Dixon. “It’s always inspiring to see a class start out with a little nervous energy, then, by the time graduation approaches, emerge with a bold, vibrant personality of its own. Knowing that some of Lakeland’s greatest leaders are in this group gives me a lot of hope for our community.

Jennifer Adams, SVP | Professional and Community Banking Service Leader at Bank of Central Florida, serves as Class XLII Chair-Elect.

About Leadership Lakeland
Established in 1983 by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Lakeland is an annual program designed to identify leadership and enhance existing leadership in our community. Leadership Lakeland does not take public policy positions or advocate any individual viewpoint. The program unites leaders from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to improve their ability to lead effectively, offering its members a broad range of experiences and insights about the community, its people, its needs, and its services.

About the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce
The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce serves as the Catalyst for business success, Convener of leaders and influencers, and Champion for our thriving community. Its vision is to be the premier catalyst for the advancement of Lakeland’s economic growth and enhancement of quality of life.

​The Watson Clinic Foundation is pleased to welcome new members to their Board of Directors who collectively possess many decades of experience in healthcare and community advocacy.

“These additional talents bring fresh and invigorating new perspectives to our mission,” said Watson Clinic Foundation Chairman of the Board William J. Roth, MD, PhD. “Together, they will help us embark on an exciting series of education, research, service and collaboration initiatives that will continue to enhance the health of our community for generations to come.”

Pamela Carter, RN, BSN is a registered nurse who’s enjoyed working in the healthcare field for 40 years. Her career includes over 30 years of employment at Lakeland Regional Health where she served as the Assistant Director of the Emergency Department and in a number of other roles. She is currently working as a registered nurse at Central Florida SurgiCenter in Lakeland.

Ted Copeland has served as the Director of Legal Affairs, Privacy and Compliance at Watson Clinic since 2023. Prior to joining Watson Clinic, he spent more than 30 years in private practice representing physicians and other healthcare providers statewide.

Marsha Corum Vass is a Lakeland community advocate who began consulting the Watson Clinic Foundation in 2024 prior to joining their Board of Directors. She has decades of experience in the consulting field and possesses expertise in strategic planning, team building and implementation.

Other members of the Watson Clinic Foundation Board of Directors include Chairman of the Board William J. Roth, MD, PhD, Secretary & Treasurer Jason Hirsbrunner, BA, MBA, Executive Director Kim Brunson, Otolaryngologist and Facial Plastic Surgeon Pranay Patel, MD, mortgage banker and business leader M. Shane Glor, Watson Clinic Urgent Care specialist Jarett A. Gregory, DO, and Watson Clinic Family Medicine specialist Jason C. Saylor, DO.

​Founded in 1960, the Watson Clinic Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of Watson Clinic. Throughout the years, the Foundation has impacted countless lives through educational outreach, research projects, community screenings, nursing scholarships, and other special programs. More information on the Foundation may be found at WatsonClinic.com/WCF. 

Author: Amy Wiggins
I'm excited to share the results of the 2025 Membership Survey with you!

​Now in our third year, our Annual Survey attempts to take the pulse of both business needs and Chamber performance on key programs and initiatives. Some stats:

• 190 responses received
• 50% identified as owner or decision maker
• 37% employ 50 or more; 21% employ fewer than five (5)

Overall, businesses reported they were growing or maintaining revenues and identified "getting more customers" as most important their businesses' success.

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: