The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce will address the potential business impact of a statewide proposal to increase minimum wage levels during a business breakfast held from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 8 at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers.
A proposed ballot initiative to raise Florida’s minimum wage to $15 an hour will be discussed during the upcoming legislative session and is expected to be included on the 2020 ballot. The Chamber has assembled a panel of economic and business professionals to share information and provide education on this potential increase in Florida.
“The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce recognizes the challenge of earning a living wage, and we believe compensation should be based on what the local market will bear,” said Colleen DePasquale, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. “Voters need to really understand the impact of government mandated minimum wage increases – especially how local businesses will be impacted if it were to come to fruition. We’ll have representatives from both sides of the discussion to provide a balanced, knowledgeable overview of what this means for our region.”
Panel participants include Dana Brunett, senior business development specialist for the Lee County Economic Development Office; Victor Claar, Ph.D., associate professor of economics for Florida Gulf Coast University’s (FGCU) Department of Economics; Lois Croft, regional director for Lee, Collier, Charlotte and Glades counties for the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA); and Jay Johnson, owner of Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon in Cape Coral.
The panel will be moderated by John Talmage, director of the Lee County Economic Development Office.
The Nov. 8 event is hosted by the Member Advocacy Committee of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, which acts as a voice for businesses on legislative, community and economic development issues within the Greater Fort Myers area through leadership and education.
Admission is $25 for Chamber members and $35 for future Chamber members, and includes a full breakfast buffet. To learn more or to register for the event, visit FortMyers.org or call 239-332-2930.
About the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce:
Serving Lee County and surrounding areas since 1989, the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is a business organization of professionals who support and promote a progressive, sustainable community. The Chamber represents nearly 800 businesses, professionals, and individuals throughout Lee County, providing opportunities for members to participate in a variety of meaningful networking, educational and community- and business-focused programs and events. The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce is located at 2310 Edwards Drive in downtown Fort Myers. For additional information regarding membership opportunities or events please call 239-332-2930 or visit www.fortmyers.org. For the latest news and updates, follow the Chamber on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gfmcc or Twitter at @FtMyersChamber.
