Follow our progress with Economic Development - Charlotte County Economic Development Office has a new website – www.FloridaEDO.com. As part of renewed marketing efforts to promote Charlotte County as the best business location in the southeastern United States—especially for companies who consider their location in a strategic logistics hub a key success factor—the new website offers incomparable market intelligence to support these companies’ business planning. Potential businesses are also encouraged to look up the various economic development tools and incentives that are offered.

Government Agencies Share Resources - Charlotte County recently negotiated an Interlocal Agreement between Charlotte County, the City of North Port and the City of Venice setting guidelines for the use of Building Department staff between the jurisdictions, both in times of emergency and times of higher that anticipated demand for service. This regional approach will enable cross-training and ensure a highly qualified workforce, during a local disaster or in times of peak construction activity. This is a great opportunity for the participating jurisdictions to work together for the benefit of all our taxpayers.

County Vets Visit Washington, D.C. - The County’s Veteran Services Office assisted in coordinating the Southwest Florida Honor Flight which flew 60 of our WWII Veterans to Washington, D.C. to see their Memorial.  Additional stops were made at the Iwo Jima Memorial and the Arlington National Cemetery for the changing of the guards. We hope to coordinate another trip next year, if sufficient donors can be found.  We have over 70 vets on the waiting list for Honor flights. For more information, or if you wish to donate, call Charlotte County Veteran Services Office - 941.625.4422.

Event Center Close to Completion - The Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center has received its certificate of occupancy.   We will use the next couple of months to install furniture, test equipment and to do a number of soft openings to train the staff.  A community grand opening is scheduled for January 10 and 11, 2009.  So mark your calendar now, this promises to be THE event of the year, with music, food and plenty of family-friendly festivities.

Hiking Trails Now Marked - As fall approaches, and the weather starts to cool off somewhat, hikers will be happy to know that trail markers have been installed at Oyster Creek Regional Park and at Tippecanoe Park.  These markers will allow easy and safe access to trails by hikers and those just looking for a casual stroll through some of Charlotte County's most beautiful, natural areas.

Trees in Public Places - Two new trees were planted at El Jobean Park, and one tree was planted at Punta Gorda Library, as part of the Trees for Posterity program.  This program offers donors the opportunity to celebrate an event or memorialize a loved one and beautify Charlotte County at the same time.  For more details, call Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources at 941.625.7529 or access the Trees for Posterity brochure online.

Tampa Bay Rays - Hats off to the Rays for their great season!  Charlotte County is anxiously awaiting their arrival, as Rays spring training moves to Charlotte Sports Park in March 2009. To place your name on the Charlotte County tickets priority list, visit the Tampa Bay Rays website.

Once-A-Week Automated Garbage Collection Begins - Starting next week automated garbage collection will be starting in your neighborhood.  The new carts will be delivered to your door and you can start using them as soon as they are received.  Use your old garbage cans until you receive your new cart. You should have received a post card telling you of your new garbage pickup day.  If you have not, or have other questions about this new service, please call the Automated Garbage Hotline  at 941.883.3533, or find more information online.

Florida Reported to Have Lowest Tax Burden - A special report by the Tax Foundation, a non-profit, research and public education organization that monitors government taxation discusses the tax burden carried by the residents of each of the 50 states.  It was no surprise to find that New Jersey and New York had the highest tax burden, at #1 and #2, respectively.  However, given the current focus on lowering taxes, it was unexpected to find that Florida was listed at #47.  Wyoming, Nevada and Alaska, were listed as the only states that have a lower tax burden than Florida!

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

MEETINGS

Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners holds its regular meeting at 9:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.  Land use issues are addressed on the third Tuesday. These meetings are held at the Murdock Administrative Complex, 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, Room #119. The Charlotte County Commission meeting room is accessible to the physically disabled. FM Sound Enhancement Units for the Hearing Impaired are available at the Front Desk.

View the agenda for the Board meetings: Commission Agenda.  The meetings can also be viewed live on CCTV-20, (Comcast Channel 20) or can be viewed via live stream on our website - Streaming Video. 

A variety of government meetings are archived for on-demand viewing: On Demand Video.

Charlotte County has dozens of official meetings and activities each month: Meeting Calendars.

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