Blog - Nassau County Chamber of Commerce

Boys & Girls Clubs Welcome Three New Board Members

1/31/2022

FERNANDINA BEACH, FL (January 31, 2022) – The Board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County Foundation is proud to announce the election of three new members: Ronald Blum, Stephanie Goldberg, and Greg Cook.

Ron Blum has had an extensive career in the oil and gas industry and currently splits time between Amelia Island and Raleigh, North Carolina. Ron brings considerable insight into the corporate and business world and looks forward to helping the Board expand our operations.

Stephanie Goldberg is a registered nurse who comes to us after a career in nursing leadership, most recently at Montefiore University Hospital in New York as their Senior Nursing Leader. Stephanie brings a strong understanding of business and management and has a specific interest in using food as medicine.

Greg Cook is the General Manager of the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. The hotel has been a long-term partner of our Clubs and we look forward to growing our connection. With over 35 years of hospitality experience, Greg manages all aspects of the resort on the island.

We welcome these new Board members and look forward to our continuing growth to reach all children who need us most in Nassau County.

For more information on Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County please visit bgcnassau.org.

Players Fans Ride Stallions to TPC Sawgrass

1/31/2022

Jax Black Car, Mercedes-Benz, RoadStallion, Limousines

Friday, January, 21, 2022 - Jacksonville, FL. Jax Black Car Transportation has the only exclusive fleet of premium Mercedes-Benz, RoadStallion, Limousines. Premiering during the 2022 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. THE PLAYERS® week begins Tuesday, March 8th through Sunday, March 13th, 2022.

Fans of golf, Florida sunshine, and the many charities THE PLAYERS® supports can experience this year's storied classic PGA tournament like never before. Celebrated by players and fans alike as "the fifth major" THE PLAYERS® Championship brings in the best golfers in the world, the best fans of course, and now, Jax Black Car brings the absolute best luxury transportation to Jacksonville. The RoadStallion is a custom-built Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, designed with an unmatched level of comfort, style, and safety with an extra spacious interior. Like a private jet on four wheels, discerning clientele will also appreciate this rare fleet of first-class vehicles comes with the trusted, world-class chauffeured car service of Jax Black Car Transportation, headquartered in Jacksonville.

Jax Black Car and RoadStallion are both custom-made to offer the ultimate small group transportation experience during this beloved local event in Jacksonville.

Now that the news of the RoadStallions is out of the stable, we hope you become one of the first interested parties to book this one-of-a-kind VIP ride to THE PLAYERS® with us. Book now at Jax Black Car Transportation:

jaxblackcar.com
904-372-8084
Email: reservations@jaxblackcar.com

Each customized RoadStallion vehicle has all the amenities of a chauffeured limousine with the added room needed for groups of four (4) to eight (8) people. RoadStallions are designed in two basic seating configurations. Clients can choose 8 Captain's Chairs that recline and swivel or the 6 Captain's chairs and 2-seat dinette table configuration. The custom-designed upholstery is leather with diamond stitching. In most cases, there is a privacy wall separating the Cab from the Passenger Cabin with separate ventilation systems and window/intercom access between them.

The custom-built RoadStallion is wider than a standard Sprinter has an internal height of 6'5". The RoadStallion has two televisions, live programming, a refrigerator, and air suspension. With all these features, small groups that prefer luxury over practicality will have everything they need to create a safe and memorable trip for clients, family and friends.

Jax Black Car, Jacksonville's complete transportation solution provides shuttle service to and from the Jacksonville International Airport, and offers luxurious, safe travel for locals and visitors alike. In addition to the RoadStallions our luxury fleet of sedans, SUVs, executive sprinter vans, minibuses, and motorcoaches are at your service. Whether you’re heading to the city for nightlife or to the beach for an exclusive event like THE PLAYERS®, you will find we are the choice for the most discerning passengers.

"Like The Players, a great event, and always an opportunity to connect with friends, and make new ones. As we continue to grow we are always looking to build new partnerships with companies that share our high-performance targets and core principles. We are determined at every level of our organization that our passengers always walk away with exceptional, experiences, none better than those enjoyed in the RoadStallion." says Richard Callahan, CEO of Jax Black Car Transportation.

Jax Black Car Transportation

https://jaxblackcar.com
904-372-8084
Email: reservations@jaxblackcar.com

County Manager Institutes New Customer Care Standards

1/31/2022

1/28/22 @ 2:00 p.m. - As part of a proactive effort to create a more positive work environment, advance a public service culture, enhance accountability, and provide exceptional service to those doing business with Nassau County, the County Manager has instituted new Customer Care Standards to govern both internal and external interactions.

As part of this policy, the County Manager's Office has commenced a campaign to recognize employees who exemplify one of the sixteen Standards of Care. Soon, each County facility will feature posters highlighting these outstanding employees. Be sure to check them out on your next visit!

Last but not least, if you receive great service from any employee, be sure to let us know so we can recognize them. This will help us in our mission of encouraging positive interactions and maintaining a positive work environment. Email any feedback you have to contact@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer

Department of Health - Nassau Seeks Volunteers for Healthy Brain Initiative Advisory Group

1/31/2022

Contact: Barb Baptista
Barbara.Baptista@flhealth.gov
904-753-1258

Fernandina Beach, FL – The Florida Department of Health in Nassau County (DOH-Nassau) was one of eight grantees selected for a Healthy Brain Initiative Grant by the Alzheimer’s Association and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). The grant will allow DOH-Nassau and key partners to enhance the capacity to address cognitive health and dementia for the citizens of Nassau County. That includes expanding “observation lens” for planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health actions addressing the needs of our population living with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, while also helping promote quality of life for their caregivers.

Components of this initiative include community dialogues, training of local health officials and key community partners, and implementation of public health actions on dementia.

DOH-Nassau is looking for people interested in joining a group that will serve in an advisory capacity for this initiative. Members of this group will review and discuss recommendations made for Nassau County Healthy Brain Road Map that addresses risk reduction, early interventions, and support to caregivers, complementing the clinical model addressing Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Participants will have the option to attend virtually or in person. Past or current caregivers, health professionals, other human services providers, persons diagnosed with early onset of Alzheimer’s, members of faith groups, and persons in the community involved in other community impacting groups are invited to join.

Nassau County Council on Aging is a key partner of the Florida Department of Health in Nassau County on this initiative . “Nassau County Council on Aging is proud to be a part of the Healthy Brain Initiative,” said Lili High, Program Operations Director. “We currently have a robust program for both seniors with a form of dementia, as well as the family caregivers who support them 24/7. Additional resources will only increase our capacity to help provide training and education to this growing population.”

People living with dementia and their family caregivers require support as cognitive, behavioral, and physical functioning worsens over time. Adults ages 55 years and older represent 38.3% of the Nassau County population (2020), an age segment that is at greater risks for developing Alzheimer’s. A strategic public health response is needed to alleviate this impact on all communities.

Our long-term goal is to become a Dementia Friendly Community, one that connects all parts of a community to ensure persons with Alzheimer's or related dementias and their caregivers feel understood, are given the resources and services they need, are valued, and able to contribute to their community.

For more information or to volunteer to participate, please contact Barb Baptista at 904-753- 1258 or Barbara.Baptista@flhealth.gov.

About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

Senior Living Management is Proud to Announce Linda Peterson's Promotion to Resident Programs Director at Savannah Grand of Amelia Island

1/28/2022

Amelia Island, FL - Senior Living Management has announced that Linda Peterson has been promoted to Resident Programs Director at Savannah Grand of Amelia Island. She has been an integral part of the team at Savannah Grand since 2008!

Linda has a great passion for working with seniors. Residents adore her, and she truly focuses on bringing the best Spark LIFEstyle to each resident she can.

Linda has been such a critical part of the success of the community and has impacted so many seniors' lives in her 13 plus years at Savannah Grand.

She is almost always found laughing, playing, singing, or fellowshipping with the residents of Savannah Grand. She has built friendships and trusted relationships with residents, families, and fellow associates, and she always has a smile on her face.

Senior Living Management thanks her for her dedication to the residents and families of Savannah Grand of Amelia Island.

Senior Living Management manages senior living communities in Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana. http://www.slm.net

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Provides Weekly Reemployment Assistance Updates - January 27

1/27/2022

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 January 26, DEO has paid 2,444,899 claimants more than $31.9 billion ($31,926,820,469). Over 5.8 million (5,879,197) unique claims have been processed, representing 99.7 percent of unique claims submitted.
97.9 percent of all eligible benefits requested prior to December 24, 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.
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.

IRS 1099-G Tax Forms

DEO has issued Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 1099-G tax forms to Reemployment Assistance claimants, and they can be found in the claimants' Reemployment Assistance Inbox.
IRS 1099-G tax forms provide the total amount of unemployment compensation paid to an individual during the 2021 calendar year refunds, credits, or offsets of state or local income tax a claimant received; and any federal income tax withheld from the claimant’s Reemployment Assistance benefits, at the request of the claimant.
If an individual receives an IRS 1099-G tax form and they did not apply for Reemployment Assistance benefits in calendar year 2021, and the individual believes that they may be a victim of identity theft, they should notify DEO by visiting the Reemployment Assistance Help Center.
Next Steps: Accessing the IRS 1099-G Tax Form

DEO implemented a new multi-factor log-in process to better safeguard Florida’s Reemployment Assistance claimants. If a claimant has not accessed their Reemployment Assistance account since September 2, 2021, they should review the Guide for Accessing Your Reemployment Assistance Account.
Once a claimant has accessed their account, select “Inbox” from the claimant homepage.
Next, they should select “1099” from the list of correspondence in the claimant inbox.
Finally, claimants must select the tax year (2021) for the IRS 1099-G tax form they would like to view.

Once a claimant has viewed the IRS 1099-G tax form, it will no longer be displayed in their inbox. To retrieve the form after the initial review in the claimant inbox, a claimant must use the search option within their inbox, select “other” from the subject drop down, and then "search" for the IRS 1099-G tax form to display.
If a claimant would like to request an additional or amended IRS 1099-G tax form, or needs to receive additional assistance with the IRS 1099-G tax form, please visit the Reemployment Assistance Help Center, here.
It is very important that claimants keep a record of their IRS 1099-G tax form to file 2021 tax returns with the IRS. If claimants have any additional questions about the 1099-G tax form or how to access it, these frequently asked questions are available with helpful information.

Overpayments

Recently, DEO began issuing overpayment determinations for Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) and Lost Wages Assistance (LWA).
If a claimant previously received a Notice of Disqualification with an overpayment for weeks of unemployment where the claimant received Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), or state Reemployment Assistance benefits, the claimant will soon receive an additional notice for the same weeks of unemployment for the federal programs listed above, as applicable.
DEO encourages all claimants to monitor and check their Reemployment Assistance account for updates if they have received a state or federal overpayment to potentially reverse or relieve the overpayment established.
If you received an overpayment for Reemployment Assistance benefits between March 1, 2020, and September 4, 2021, through no fault of your own, the state of Florida is not referring overpayments to collection agencies to ensure claimants do not experience adverse impacts to their credit scores. Additionally, the state of Florida is not pursuing enforcement actions regarding non-fraudulent state Reemployment Assistance overpayments.
The federal government sometimes requires enforcement actions to recoup federal overpayments. However, in some circumstances, the federal government also allows you to be eligible for a waiver from a federal overpayment. Federal Reemployment Assistance benefits include PUA, FPUC, LWA, PEUC, and Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) programs.
If you received a federal overpayment, you have the following options:
Apply for a federal overpayment waiver;
Appeal the Notice of Determination; and/or
Repay the overpayment.
These actions or options do not apply to fraudulent overpayments and DEO will continue to investigate fraudulent overpayments to ensure individuals and bad actors are held accountable for their fraudulent actions in accordance with the law.
DEO remains committed to Floridians and understands the financial hardships and uncertainty the pandemic has caused for many claimants and their families.
In addition, to assist claimants in navigating overpayments on their accounts, DEO has made the following resources available:
FloridaJobs.org/Overpayments - with easy-to-understand information and resources on overpayments
Reemployment Assistance Overpayments Guide for applying for an overpayment waiver
Informational Flyers with helpful information on overpayments and overpayment waivers
FloridaJobs.org/RAHelpCenter - Reemployment Assistance Help Center self-service paths for notice of disqualification, overpayment, and appeals assistance
For more information about Reemployment Assistance overpayments, click here.

Update to the Amount of Reemployment Assistance Benefit Weeks

Each year, the maximum number of weeks available to Reemployment Assistance claimants is calculated based on the average unemployment rate for the most recent third calendar year quarter.
The maximum duration of benefits is 12 weeks if this statewide average unemployment rate is at or below 5 percent.
An additional week is added to the maximum duration of benefit weeks for each of 0.5 percentage point increment in the statewide average unemployment rate above 5 percent.
Based on the average 2021 third quarter statewide unemployment rate of 5 percent, beginning January 1, 2022, any new state Reemployment Assistance claim filed is eligible for up to 12 weeks of benefits.

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, January 29, through Sunday, January 30, CONNECT will be unavailable to claimants while DEO works to continue to process payments, and send necessary correspondence to claimants. CONNECT will be available Monday, January 31, 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

The Reemployment Assistance Customer Service Center is available this week Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for all account inquiries and questions. On Saturday, January 29, through Sunday, January 30, staff resources will be dedicated to processing claims and payments. The Reemployment Assistance Customer Service Center will reopen Monday, January 31, 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.

Fernandina Beach Friends of the Library Receives $1,500 Mini-Grant from Rayonier Advanced Materials Foundation

1/27/2022

Friends of the Fernandina Beach Library
Press Release
Submitted by Hope Foley
January 27, 2022

150 Easy Reader Books for Youth

Nassau County Library Director Dawn Bostwick, Bradley Bean of Rayonier Advanced Materials and Friends of the Fernandina Beach Library Board President Jody Mackle in the Children’s Room at the Fernandina Beach Branch Library

Fernandina Beach, FL (January 26, 2022) – The Friends of the Fernandina Beach Library (FOL) announce the receipt of a $1,500 mini grant from Rayonier Advanced Materials Foundation. This grant has allowed the purchase of 150 new Easy Reader books for beginning readers in our community.

Easy Readers are not picture books for young children, rather they are the smaller, hard cover titles that beginning readers use to practice reading and learn on their own. They are one of the fastest circulating collections in the Fernandina Beach Branch Library; the collection circulates approximately 1,875 times per month. As these books are so well-loved by young readers in the community, they wear out from constant use. Funding from Rayonier Advanced Materials Foundation will be used to refresh the collection, with the purchase of 150 new titles.

“The FOL is grateful to the Rayonier Advanced Materials Foundation for their generous support of this important collection,” said FOL Board President Jody Mackle. “We encourage young readers and their families to visit the library and discover the new selection of Easy Readers.”

For further information of the Friends of the Fernandina Beach Library as well as membership information and volunteer opportunities, please visit www.fernandinaFOL.org.

Upcoming Events for Amelia Island Book Festival - Authors in Schools, One Book One Community and More

1/27/2022

Amelia Island Book Festival
Submitted by Diana Frank
Communications Director
January 26, 2022

The Amelia Island Book Festival planned to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a return in February of the Gala at the Ritz Carlton and the Author Expo with 100 exhibiting authors showcasing, autographing, and selling their books. With great regret, due to the predicted surge of Omicron, the February events have been canceled, but future events remain on the schedule.

Authors visit schools to promote literacy during the Amelia Island Book Festival

In the past 20 years, the Amelia Island Book Festival has brought more than 1,500 authors and over 100 New York Times bestselling authors to the book festival. The AIBF’s mission is to enhance the overall life skills of Nassau County children and adults by generating a lifelong love of books through an appreciation of reading, writing, and authors. It has invested over $2 million in Nassau County literacy.

The primary goal of the AIBF is to promote literacy through the Authors in Schools program. This event is scheduled for February 18, 2022 and will continue as planned. From a selection of 80 authors, teachers choose the author’s books that would be age-appropriate for their classes. The 40 authors who are selected visit classes to do a reading, then each student gets a book by that author. This year, 10,000 books will be given to students and schools. All Nassau County students through middle school will receive a book by authors selected by their teachers. This year, high school students who sign up will also receive books. To become a sponsor, visit ameliaislandbookfestival.org.

New York Times bestselling author Karen White

On April 7, 2022 , One Book, One Community returns. It is a reading project that centers on the community-wide reading of a single book and is dedicated to creating a shared conversation with the author. This event is in partnership with the Nassau County Public Library and The Book Loft. In collaboration, the Amelia Island Book Festival and Nassau County Public Libraries have selected the newly released, The Shop on Royal Street by New York Times bestselling author Karen White. Tickets go on Sale February 1. Also in April there will be an online auction, and one of the unique items offered will be naming rights for a character in David Baldacci’s next thriller. For details, check the AIBF website.

The AIBF supports and encourages emerging student authors by providing a short story writing contest each year. The 2022 short story writing contest is underway. In honor of the 20th year anniversary, AIBF is celebrating authors who captured the imagination. The theme for stories is to write a Rudyard Kipling style Just So Story. Examples of Just So Stories include: The Cat that Walked by Himself, How the Alphabet was Made, The Crab that Played with the Sea, The Elephant’s Child among many others! Applications must be submitted by March 1. Cash prizes will be awarded, and the top 50 stories will be published in an anthology.

In celebrating 20 years of enriching lives with literacy in Nassau County the AIBF is pleased to be offering two $5,000 scholarship awards provided by the AEL Family Foundation as well as the Brown Family. One scholarship will be awarded to each of the top two finalists in the contest. This year’s scholarship contest will focus on the following topic: What author or story has most inspired you, and how? Check the AIBF website for details.

AIBF is planning more events to look forward to. In July the Made in the South program is scheduled. It features Southern authors, and will include author discussion, cocktails, and refreshments. In September it’s time for the Children’s Author Party featuring a children’s author, books, and costumes. Finally in October it’s the return of the Celebrity Author Luncheon, an entertaining and informative event.

"Historic District A Living Museum" Rescheduled to January 28

1/27/2022

Dickie Anderson

Media Release
January 26, 2022

The Amelia Island Museum of History has rescheduled Dickie Anderson’s talk originally scheduled January 21, 2022, to January 28, 2022, at 6PM Amelia Island Museum of History.

In this lecture, “Amelia Island’s Historic District – A Living Museum”, Dickie Anderson will discuss her latest book, Great Homes and Churches: Architectural Treasures of Amelia Island, an expanded version of her earlier book Great Homes of Fernandina. In addition to profiling 25 Fernandina Beach historic homes, the book profiles 9 historic churches.

Attendance is free for museum members with a suggested donation of $5 for nonmembers. Masks are mandatory. Seating is limited on a first come, first served basis. This program is wheelchair accessible.

For more information contact: dickie.anderson@gmail.com.

Amelia Island Book Festival Scholarship and Short Story Contests

1/26/2022

2022 Short Story Writing Contest

Join the Amelia Island Book Festival in celebrating 20 years of enriching lives with literacy in Nassau County.

In honor of our 20th year anniversary, we are celebrating authors who have captured our imagination!

Use your imagination and write a Rudyard Kipling style "Just So Story."

Examples of Just So Stories include: The Cat that Walked by Himself, How the Alphabet was Made, The Crab that Played with the Sea, The Elephant's Child among many others!

The Sky's the Limit!! We look forward to reading your short story!!

Eligibility, Key Dates, and Requirements are outlined here.
We look forward to reading your story!

Eligibility:

Must be a Nassau County, FL resident in Middle or High School

Key Dates:

March 1st - Applications may be submitted anytime throughout the process but MUST be submitted no later than March 1, 2022 by 5:00pm
April 30th - Winners announced and awards ceremony

Requirements:

Create a 500-1000 word story, double-spaced, 12-point Times Roman font in MS Word.
Story must include Name, Email Address, Grade, School, Teacher's Name, and Title on Front Page.
Applications must meet all criteria in order to be considered.

Application Instructions:

Create your 500-1000 word story, double-spaced, 12-point Times Roman font in MS Word.
Download and complete this 2022 Release Form (requested but not required)
Locate a headshot photo of yourself (requested but not required)
Complete the 2022 Short Story Application with items 1-3 above.