• Let's Talk Business

    Friday, September 22, 2023
    St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce Urges City Commission to Pause Efforts on New Nightlife Ordinance

    Chamber President/CEO Isabelle Renault is calling on the St. Augustine City Commission to pause efforts to create a new nightlife ordinance until an economic impact study recommended by its own consultant, the Responsible Hospitality Institute (“RHI”), is undertaken. “Without a complete understanding of the potential negative effects that could result for St. Augustine’s hospitality and tourism businesses, we urge the City Commission to take a step back and conduct the study that was recommended by both its

    Jamie Johnson

    Thursday, August 17, 2023
    St. Johns County Initiates Accessibility Movement to Create an Inclusive Destination

    St. Johns County, FL [August 17, 2023] – The St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce and its Ponte Vedra Visitors Information Center, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau (VCB), in collaboration with Old Town Trolley Tours® & Attractions of St. Augustine, proudly announce their achievement as Certified Autism Centers™ (CAC). These certifications, granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), reflect the commitment of these

    Jamie Johnson

    Monday, July 24, 2023
    MasterCraft Builders Group Works With Partners To Give Back

    MasterCraft Builder Group prides itself on being a local company that knows the community’s needs. As they like to say, they’re in this business to help shape the community they live in. With an extensive portfolio of philanthropic work, MasterCraft is the driving force behind events like Clays for a Cause and Hometown Heroes, and is heavily involved in the non-profit Builders Care. They are also active St. Johns Builders Council (SJBC) members. SJBC aims to support the building industry through education,

    Kara Pound

    Monday, July 24, 2023
    Local Companies Are Becoming Autism Friendly with Certified Autism Center Training Grants

    ​Local businesses have already begun taking advantage of the newly launched Certified Autism Center training grants. The grant will help businesses make necessary accommodations and train local public-facing staff to better serve neurodiverse individuals, including guests with autism and sensory needs. The certification will make a positive impact and attract more diverse visitors to the area as an inclusive community.

    Scott Maynard

    Monday, July 24, 2023
    City of St. Augustine Launches Downtown Circulator Bus

    ​The City of St. Augustine held a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 21 to kick off the launch of its new STAR Circular, a free bus service funded through a Florida Department of Transportation grant. This service will be operated by Historic Tours of America’s Old Town Trolley and will provide circular transportation around the downtown core, starting at the Visitor Information Center (VIC).

    Jamie Johnson

    Monday, July 24, 2023
    Conrad Resigns; Andrews Named Interim Administrator

    St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) accepted the written resignation from former County Administrator Hunter Conrad and a separation agreement effective June 29, and appointed Deputy County Administrator Joy Andrews the Interim County Administrator as they begin a national search for a new County Administrator.

    St. Johns County Government

    Monday, July 3, 2023
    Flagler Health+, UF Health Presidents Address Partnership

    The Flagler Health + and UF Health merger announcement has created tremendous interest in the future and advancement of healthcare in St. Johns County and the Jacksonville MSA. At the most recent Economic Development Council breakfast, Carlton Devooght, president and CEO of Flagler Health +, and Dr. David Nelson, senior vice president for health affairs at the University of Florida and president of UF Health, discussed the merger and why it will be a win for everyone in the region. One of the key

    Scott Maynard

    Friday, June 30, 2023
    Historic Tours of America establishes new scholarship for Flagler College Hospitality and Tourism Management Program

    Dave Chatterton, General Manager of Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine and Historic Tours of America, announced today the local hospitality and tourism company has established a new scholarship to help students with financial aid in Flagler’s Hospitality and Tourism Management Program (HTM). The Historic Tours of America Endowed Scholarship for Hospitality and Tourism Management will be matched by a one-to-one grant provided by the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust.

    Bonnie Hayflick

    Tuesday, June 27, 2023
    A Win for Essential Workers: Essential Worker Housing Update

    On June 20, the SJC Board of County Commissioners approved a heavily modified version of the new Workforce Housing Ordinance, which is designed to encourage builders to build and sell nearly 300 new homes at no more than $260,000 in the next few years. The Chamber has been actively involved with the County Commission and the NE Florida Builders Association (the original sponsors) helping to modify the original proposed ordinance so that more of our essential workers (public safety, first responders, nurses,

    Bob Porter

    Thursday, June 22, 2023
    City Manager announces Todd Grant as Public Works Director

    On Tuesday, June 20, City Manager David Birchim announced Todd Grant, formerly the Utilities Director, as the Public Works Director, effective immediately, replacing Reuben Franklin who became Assistant City Manager.

    City of St. Augustine