Nassau County Chamber of Commerce - Blog

2021 Preservation Awards Nomination Period Now Open

7/30/2021

Historic structures contribute to the identity of our community, and sensitive treatment of these resources ensure future residents and visitors will experience the same community character. The City of Fernandina Beach wishes to recognize the efforts of those involved in preserving our unique architectural resources through an awards program that is held every other year.

Nominations for this year’s awards are being accepted now through August 27, 2021. Nomination forms are available on the City website, www.fbfl.us/HistoricDistricts, or at the Planning & Conservation lobby in City Hall. Projects throughout the City are eligible, not just properties in the historic districts. Award categories will include:

restoration/rehabilitation,
sensitive addition,
new construction,
storefront façade renovation,
craftsmanship,
preservation champion, and
the Keystone Award.

Award winners will be announced at a ceremony on October 7, 2021. For additional information, please contact the City’s Historic Preservation Planner, Salvatore Cumella at 904-310-3480 or by email at scumella@fbfl.city.

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Provides Weekly Reemployment Assistance Update - July 27

7/28/2021

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) issued its weekly Reemployment Assistance updates. Daily updates can be found on the Reemployment Assistance (RA) Claims Dashboard.

PAYMENT PROGRESS:

As of July 26, DEO has paid 2,406,161 claimants more than $31 billion ($31,073,983,507). Over 5.5 million (5,587,700) unique claims have been processed, representing 98.9 percent of unique claims submitted.
97.5 percent of all eligible benefits requested prior to June 25, 2021, for state Reemployment Assistance, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) have been paid to claimants. Additionally, 99.9 percent of all eligible benefits requested by claimants for weeks of unemployment prior to July 25, 2020, have also received their corresponding Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefits for that week.
If a claimant has not received benefits or all of the benefits they believe they are entitled to, they should:
Check that they have requested benefits;
Check that the weeks they are requesting are eligible weeks; and
Check that their account information in CONNECT is up-to-date and accurate.
DEO recommends that claimants and employers utilize the Reemployment Assistance Help Center—an online portal for claimants and employers to provide and receive additional information from DEO. This online resource continues to be updated with additional features for claimants and employers to notify DEO of instances of Reemployment Assistance fraud or identity theft, provide documentation to DEO, and has several resourceful materials for claimants or employers who have additional questions. To visit the Reemployment Assistance Help Center, click here.
DEO would like to remind claimants that it is important to continue requesting benefits to receive payment. This video and guide may be helpful.

UPDATES:

CONNECT Hours

DEO will be conducting nightly maintenance to the CONNECT system to process claims and payments. CONNECT's regularly scheduled hours are from 8 a.m. to 7:59 p.m. daily, Monday - Friday.
Beginning Saturday, July 31, through Sunday, August 1, CONNECT will be unavailable to claimants while the Department works to continue to process payments, and send necessary correspondence to claimants. CONNECT will be available Monday, August 2, at 8:00 a.m.
This schedule does not affect individuals who wish to file a new claim. Individuals can file a new claim 24 hours a day, seven days per week at www.FloridaJobs.org and select "File a Claim."

Customer Service Centers

Reemployment Assistance Customer Service Centers are available this week Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. for all account inquiries and questions. On Saturday, July 31, through Sunday, August 1, staff resources will be dedicated to processing claims and payments. The Reemployment Assistance Customer Service Center will reopen Monday, August 2, at 7:30 a.m.
For additional questions, please visit the Reemployment Assistance Help Center. This online portal can assist claimants or employers provide additional information to DEO. Individuals can also notify DEO of suspected Reemployment Assistance fraud or identity theft. To access this new online portal, click here.

Additional Resources

If an individual is not eligible to receive Reemployment Assistance benefits, there are additional resources readily available to Floridians and their families.
DEO, in partnership with the Department of Children and Families (DCF), provide additional opportunities and resources for Florida families who need additional assistance. Resources include food assistance for low-income households, medical assistance, and temporary financial assistance to families who qualify. For more information, click here.

About DEO
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce and community development efforts, expediting economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities and promote economic resiliency. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.FloridaJobs.org.

Nassau County Emergency Management Director Presents 2021 Citizen's Disaster Guide

7/28/2021

7/27/21 @ 6:30 p.m. - At the Board of County Commissioners meeting held on Monday, July 26th, Emergency Management Director, Greg Foster, presented the 2021 Citizen's Disaster Guide. This document includes information on various hazards such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, shelter locations, tips on preparing an emergency supply kit, and what to expect if a widespread evacuation order is given.

The presentation also included information about the new Evacuation Zones that were established following a study conducted by Emergency Management, along with the Northeast Florida Regional Council and Florida Department of Emergency Management. The old map had all of Amelia Island and most of the Yulee area under Zone A. As a result, many people off the island who were in Zone A were electing to not evacuate because they felt like their threat wasn't as great as others in that Zone residing along the intercoastal and on Amelia Island. Emergency Management indicated that they’ve also seen a decline in residents on Amelia Island who are willing to evacuate.

The new map now has 3 evacuation zones on Amelia Island which identify areas most likely to be affected by a coastal storm, as well as additional zones throughout the rest of the County clearly outlining where that area falls on the Zone Map. It's important to note that anyone previously shown in a surge zone will still be in a surge zone. Only the letters of the evacuation zone have changed.

Please click here to watch Director Foster's presentation. The discussion of the 2021 Citizens Disaster Guide and new Evacuation Zone Map begins at approximately 48:45.

If you have any questions about the new Evacuation Zones, please contact Emergency Management at (904) 548-0900.

-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer

Nassau County Implements New Software to Streamline Procurement Process

7/28/2021

PRESS RELEASE
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com

Nassau County, Florida, July 27, 2021 – We are excited to announce that the Board of County Commissioners has implemented PlanetBids to streamline our procurement process and improve transparency.

PlanetBids is a web-based procurement company that assists organizations with securing qualified vendors quickly and efficiently while reducing processing time and paperwork. Prior to partnering with PlanetBids, the Board’s Procurement Department maintained a spreadsheet of vendors and would notify them via email and/or SharePoint of bidding opportunities. PlanetBids’ vendor management tool allows the County to quickly identify and notify vendors that a product or service is needed and can even help the County to better identify local vendors, as well as minority, woman and veteran-owned businesses. The County is encouraging all vendors to visit the new site and register their businesses for notifications and bidding opportunities.

The PlanetBids system also allows all documents related to the bid to be accessible by the public so anyone can see the original bid and all documents associated with the bid, including submitted bid packets, bid opening minutes, and similar documents to help the user see why a particular vendor was selected. This not only improves transparency, it also makes procurement operations more efficient having these documents easily available to the public in lieu of collecting documents and responding to individual requests for information.

The new PlanetBids program makes doing business with Nassau County easier than ever by improving user experience and adding expanded features to register as a vendor and review opportunities as they become available. To view current bid opportunities for the Board of County Commissioners, please visit https://pbsystem.planetbids.com/portal/49083/portal-home. If you have any questions, please contact Procurement Manager, Brian Simmons, at (904) 530-6040 or via e-mail at bsimmons@nassaucountyfl.com.

Nassau County Council on Aging to Host "Veterans Helping Veterans Support Group"

7/28/2021

Nassau County Council on Aging
Press Release
Submitted by Liz Dunn
July 27, 2021

“Kerrie Albert, Director of Veterans Services and Community Mental Health, Florida Psychological Associates, will be featured as guest speaker with a presentation on the Veterans Treatment Court. Bob Sullivan, Nassau County Veterans Service Officer, will answer questions and provide assistance.”

The next meeting of Nassau County Council on Aging’s (NCCOA’s) Veterans Helping Veterans Support Group will be Thursday, August 12, from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., at the Janice Ancrum Senior Life Center, 1901 Island Walk Way, Fernandina Beach. Guest facilitator Denny Pendergrass, Vietnam Veterans of America – Chapter 1088, will lead the meeting.

Kerrie Albert, Director of Veterans Services and Community Mental Health, Florida Psychological Associates, will be featured as guest speaker with a presentation on the Veterans Treatment Court. Bob Sullivan, Nassau County Veterans Service Officer, will answer questions and provide assistance.

Veterans Helping Veterans is open to retired, active-duty and honorably discharged veterans and their families. The support group meets the second Thursday of every month from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Questions? Contact Joe Murphy at mudguard1@gmail.com.

Back to School Sales Tax Holiday 2021

7/27/2021

Consumers can purchase qualifying back-to-school supplies exempt from tax during the 2021 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. Passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, the sales tax holiday begins Saturday, July 31 and extends through Monday, August 9.

During the 2021 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, the following qualifying back-to-school items are exempt from sales tax.

The sales tax holiday does not apply to the rental or repair of any of the qualifying items. Additionally, the sales tax holiday does not apply to sales in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport.

For more information on implementing the sales tax holiday, please see the Department of Revenue's Taxpayer Information Publication on the 2021 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday or the 2021 Florida Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday FAQs for Businesses.

Nassau County Health Officials Issue Mosquito-Borne Illnesses Advisory

7/27/2021

Fernandina Beach, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health in Nassau County (DOHNassau) today advised residents there has been an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity in areas of Nassau County.

Several chickens have tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis Virus (EEEV) infection. The risk of transmission to humans has increased. Amelia Island Mosquito Control District and DOH-Nassau continue surveillance and prevention efforts.

DOH-Nassau reminds residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure.

To protect yourself from mosquitoes, you should remember to “Drain and Cover”:

DRAIN standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.

Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected.
Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren't being used.
Empty and clean birdbaths and pet's water bowls at least once or twice a week.
Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

COVER skin with clothing or repellent.

Clothing - Wear shoes, socks, and long pants and long-sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.
Repellent - Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.
- Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone and IR3535 are effective.
- Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.

Tips on Repellent Use

Always read label directions carefully for the approved usage before you apply a repellent. Some repellents are not suitable for children.
Products with concentrations of up to 30 percent DEET (N, N-diethyl-mtoluamide) are generally recommended. Other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved repellents contain picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, paramenthane-diol, 2-undecanone or IR3535. These products are generally available at local pharmacies. Look for active ingredients to be listed on the product label.
Apply insect repellent to exposed skin, or onto clothing, but not under clothing.
In protecting children, read label instructions to be sure the repellent is age appropriate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mosquito repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol should not be used on children under the age of three years. DEET is not recommended on children younger than two months old.
Avoid applying repellents to the hands of children. Adults should apply repellent first to their own hands and then transfer it to the child’s skin and clothing.
If additional protection is necessary, apply a permethrin repellent directly to your clothing. Again, always follow the manufacturer’s directions.

COVER doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house.

Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios.

For more information on what repellent is right for you, consider using the Environmental Protection Agency’s search tool to help you choose skin-applied repellent products: http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect/#searchform.

The Department continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus infections, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya and dengue. Residents of Florida are encouraged to report dead birds via the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s site - http://legacy.myfwc.com/bird/default.asp.

For more information, visit DOH’s website at www.floridahealth.gov/%5C/diseases-and-conditions/mosquito-bornediseases/index.html or contact your county health department.

About the Florida Department of Health
The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

Nassau County Accepting Nominations for Properties to be Acquired for the Conservation Land Acquisition Management Program

7/27/2021

NASSAU COUNTY IS ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS OF PROPERTIES
FOR POTENTIAL ACQUISITION THROUGH THE CONSERVATION LAND ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (CLAM)

Nomination Period: July 24, 2021 through December 31, 2021

The Nassau County Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) program was created to preserve and conserve the county’s natural, historic, and working lands resources by identifying, ranking, and assessing conservation lands for acquisition and management.

The County shall accept nominations of properties for potential acquisition by the County through the CLAM Program from any person or organization, including the County, nonprofit organizations, and local, regional, state, or federal governmental entities. To nominate a property for potential acquisition, the nominator shall submit an application to the Nassau County Planning Department. Nominators may nominate an entire parcel for acquisition in fee simple or only a specific portion thereof or interest therein. In nominating properties, nominators should consider, at a minimum, the information contained in the Conservation Plan, the CLAM Resource Rankings Map, and the CLAM Manual.

Nominations must be received by the Nassau County Planning Department no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, December 31, 2021. Nominations received after the nomination period will not be considered. CLAM documents and nomination forms can be found at the following link or can be picked up and dropped off in person at the address listed below:

https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/933/Conservation-Land-Acquisition-Management

Nassau County Planning Department
96161 Nassau Place
Yulee, Florida 32097

Island Art Association to Hold "Express Yourself" Workshop

7/26/2021

EXPRESS YOURSELF – BIG TIME!
Tuesday, October 26, 10:30am – 3:30pm Fee: $125
Instructor: Souby Boski
Island Art Association
Fernandina Beach

This workshop is for oil & acrylic painters who want to loosen up and work with less restraint.

Using personal photographs as reference students will work on several fast paintings. Guided towards discovering and trusting their own mark making/painting statements and developing a critical eye. This is not a “how-to” class. You will be encouraged to experiment and embrace spontaneity. By combining fast, bold, loose strokes, students will engage in the “process” of the painting in the “present” rather than concentrating on the end result.

Fast paintings will be analyzed for their unique painterly style in order transfer the best qualities to larger canvases (20×20 or larger). Bring several canvases, reference photos and your lunch. A suggested materials list will be provided upon registration. To register, contact Souby at: soubyboskiart@gmail.com.

In the words of the artist, KiKi Smith, “Making art is a lot about seeing what happens.”

Barnabas Center's Callahan Satellite Office Temporarily Relocated

7/23/2021

Due to current renovations at Barnabas’ West Nassau service center at First United Methodist Church in Callahan, all services will be relocated to the “Preschool Room” in the church.

Barnabas Center’s west Nassau service center is normally located in an office adjacent to the First United Methodist Church in Callahan at 449644 US Highway 301, Callahan, FL 32011.

All services will continue to operate as normal. Nassau County residents may apply for assistance in Callahan by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call (904) 261-7000 for any of the following assistance:

Medical Services
Assistance with Food Stamp applications
Emergency financial assistance for rent or utilities
Enrollment for medical and dental services

Parking is located at First United Methodist Church in Callahan. At the time of your appointment, our service provider will call you to provide directions to the Preschool Room.

For more information about our services in Callahan, call (904) 261-7000.