News

First Coffee with the Town Manager to be held in 2021

OAKLAND, FL — BYOC (bring your own coffee) to the first Coffee with the Town Manager of 2021 on Thursday, Jan. 14 at 9 a.m. via Zoom. Oakland Town Manager Steve Koontz invites you to join him for coffee and conversation to learn more about Town news, services and programs,…

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Robert Agrusa Named President and CEO of the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association

Orlando, Fla. (January 5, 2020): The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (CFHLA) has announced the appointment of Robert Agrusa as its new President and CEO, effective February 2021. CFHLA is one of Central Florida’s largest and most influential trade groups with a membership that includes nearly 80% of the…

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West Orange Chamber of Commerce installs 2021 leadership at End of the Year Event

West Orange County, FL | December 16, 2021 – The West Orange Chamber of Commerce (WOCC) installed its 2021 Chairwoman at the “2020 It’s a Wrap” event, hosted by City of Ocoee on December 11 at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center. Deborah Rios-Barnes, Market Development Manager at CenturyLink and 2020 WOCC…

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Chairwoman’s Article December 2020

Well, 2020 is finally coming to a close.  This year has been like no other and definitely not what I, or the world had planned.  I thought that I would be attending fun events such as Big Orange Awards, Best Fest and numerous Business After Hours right by Stina’s side. …

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Valencia College Selects Dr. Kathleen Plinske as Its 5th President

In a special meeting held on December 18, Valencia College trustees selected Dr. Kathleen Plinske to become the college’s fifth president. Plinske currently serves as the executive vice president and provost of Valencia College, as well as the campus president of the Osceola, Lake Nona and Poinciana campuses. Plinske emerged…

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West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Leaders at Final Event of the Year

On Friday, December 11, the West Orange Chamber of Commerce (WOCC) hosted the final event of the year, “It’s A Wrap 2020”.  The event was held at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center and was sponsored by Premier Sponsor Orlando Health – Health Central Hospital. Other sponsors included Duke Energy, Fifth Third…

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Fiserv Helping You Get Back2Business

Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV), a leading global provider of payments and financial services technology solutions is giving back to help small businesses get back to business with a program focused on helping to jump-start minority-owned small businesses in hard-hit communities. The Back2Business program will now offer $10,000 grants to small,…

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The Power of Plasma

If you know someone who is recovering or has recently recovered from COVID-19, their plasma could help others who are suffering. Please share this information and encourage them to donate plasma.   The Fight Is In Us is a national coalition that helps people who have recently recovered from COVID-19 become heroes by donating blood plasma.

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Nemours Children’s Hospital Earns 2020 Leapfrog Top Hospital Award for Outstanding Quality and Safety

Orlando, Fla. (December 8, 2020) – Highlighting its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, Nemours Children’s Hospital was named a Top Children’s Hospital nationally by The Leapfrog Group. This is the fourth time the hospital, which just marked its eighth year, has made the list. Announced today, the…

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West Orange Foundation Announces 2020 Community Grants

The West Orange Foundation, founded by the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2020 Committee of 101 Member Fund grant awards. Committee of 101 Member Fund donations are distributed as grants to organizations that fit the mission of the West Orange Foundation, to…

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Unemployment Tax Rates Released for 2021

See What This Means for Your Bottom Line The Department of Revenue has released the Reemployment Tax Rate (formally known as unemployment tax) for employers beginning January 1, 2021.  The minimum rate will increase from 0.10 percent to 0.29 percent due to socialized costs, such as…

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Orange County Commission – District 1 Update

While on the campaign trail in 2015 and 2016 I listened to the hopes, concerns, project ideas, and aspirations of the residents I was seeking to serve. This laid the foundation for my office agenda these past 4 years. While there was a wide range of need, the central focus was Infrastructure…

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