Blog - Nassau County Chamber of Commerce

Pineland Bank Named #1 SBA Lender Among All Banks and Credit Unions in Northeast Florida for 2021

1/13/2022

“Pineland Bank, a Preferred SBA Lender, earned the #1 SBA Lender spot among all banks and credit unions in Northeast Florida for 2021, according to the Jacksonville Business Journal. In total, twenty-three (23) SBA loans for over $20,000,000 were made to small business owners in Nassau, Duval and St. John’s Counties helping to create/protect 235 jobs.

“We are extremely proud of our local bankers Mike Mickler, Susan Sturges and John Minor who
contributed to these statistics”, said Thomas Bennett, Chief Credit Officer. “Pineland Bank has a rich history of serving our local communities with SBA and conventional loan options. We’re proud for that tradition to continue.”

Founded in 1939, with an initial investment of $40, Pineland has grown to 7 full‐service locations that serve communities in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. Although a lot has changed over 80 years, Pineland’s commitment to building service, trust, and loyalty in our communities has not. For more information, please stop by our branch located in downtown Fernandina or call 904‐261‐8233.

Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Provides Weekly Reemployment Assistance Updates - January 12

1/13/2022

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.

IRS 1099-G Tax Forms

DEO has begun issuing Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 1099-G tax forms to Reemployment Assistance claimants through January 31, 2022, and they can be found in the claimants' Reemployment Assistance Inbox.
IRS 1099-G tax forms provides 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.

Payment Progress:

As of January 11, DEO has paid 2,442,563 claimants more than $31.9 billion ($31,907,985,904). Over 5.8 million (5,865,660) unique claims have been processed, representing 99.7 percent of unique claims submitted.
97.9 percent of all eligible benefits requested prior to December 17, 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.

Overpayments

This month, DEO will begin issuing the 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 15, through Sunday, January 16, 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 17, 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 15, through Sunday, January 16, staff resources will be dedicated to processing claims and payments. The Reemployment Assistance Customer Service Center will reopen Tuesday, January 18, 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.

Congratulations to Our December Boys & Girls Clubs Youths of the Month

1/13/2022

FERNANDINA BEACH, FL (January 12, 2022) – Boys and Girls Clubs of Nassau County congratulates our December 2021 Youths of the Month. Roberts Learning & Achievement Center member Khloe Anabella Brand and Miller Freedom Center member Diego Acevedo are our latest members to receive this recognition.

Khloe Anabella Brand is a nine-year-old in the 3rd grade at Emma Love Hardee Elementary. She has been a member at Roberts Learning & Achievement Center since August of 2019. Of the programs Khloe participates in at the club, “MyOn: Reading is Fun” is her favorite and reading is her favorite subject at school as well. Among other favorites, Khloe loves the color pastel yellow and enjoys dancing and pop music. In her free time she enjoys playing with her cousins. Khloe tells us that she likes to come to the Boys & Girls Club because she feels safe and has fun.

Diego Acevedo is a ten-year-old in 5th grade at Yulee Elementary School and attends Miller Freedom Center. Diego has been a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County since 2018. Basketball is Diego’s favorite hobby and blue is his favorite color. Another sport Diego enjoys is baseball and he can throw the ball at a very impressive speed. His favorite athlete is Joe Jackson. He also likes The Rolling Stones, author Percy Jackson and history class. Diego has three programs that he particularly likes at the club and those are Sports, Technology Lab and the Learning Zone.

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

Khloe Anabella Brand

Diego Acevedo

OneBlood is at Wildlight - Wednesday, January 19th from 8:30am - 2:30pm

1/11/2022

Let's begin the new year by helping to save lives... come by the Rayonier building to donate blood on Wednesday, January 19th. You can still help even if you can't donate yourself, share this message with friends and family.

Make your appointment today, click on the link: Blood Drive - January 19, 2022.

While appointments aren't required, appointments get first priority.

All donors will receive a OneBlood Long Sleeve T-Shirt and a $20.00 eGift Card! Plus, a wellness checkup includes blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count, and cholesterol screening.

Tips for a successful donation: Include red meat in your diet (2-3 meals), drink water regularly, and drink 16 oz before donating, eat a meal 2 hours before your donation. After donation: no heavy lifting or vigorous exercise the rest of the day, grab a healthy snack and drink plenty of water.

Nassau County Council on Aging Annual Meeting Scheduled in Hilliard - January 25

1/11/2022

Nassau County Council on Aging
Press Release
Submitted by Liz Dunn
January 10, 2022

You are invited to Nassau County Council on Aging’s (NCCOA’s) Annual Meeting, on Tuesday, January 25, from 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m., at the newly renovated Westside Senior Life Center, 37002 Ingham Road, in Hilliard.

Join us as we celebrate our 2021 accomplishments and share highlights of our 2022 programs and services. Please RSVP by Jan. 21, 904-261-0701.

Light refreshments will be served; masks are required.

Tech Helper Volunteer Positions at the Library

1/7/2022

1/5/22 @ 3:45 p.m. - The Nassau County Public Library System is hoping to implement a one-on-one technical program for patrons wishing to expand their technical skills and are currently searching for tech-savvy individuals who would be willing to volunteer their time and services.

The dates/times for the programs have not yet been determined, however their plan is to have the tech program available at the Fernandina Beach, Callahan and Yulee locations.

Position Overview:
Share your expertise by coaching adults as they learn tech skills

Work with adult learners at all levels of tech knowledge
Tutor one-on-one at your preferred branch
Help adult students learn at their own pace
Tech subjects include: basic computer, tablet, eReader or smartphone skills; internet and browser skills; setting up email and social media accounts; learning how to use apps and websites; and streaming or downloading free library eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines

Benefits of Volunteering:

Make a big difference in a person’s life
Opportunity to use your computer and training skills
Earn community service hours
Gain new skills and experiences
Be a part of the library team

Requirements:

16 years or older, if under 18, must have permission from parent or legal guardian
Ability to convey a positive, friendly attitude
Ability to work with adults of all tech levels with patience and politeness
Computer, internet and mobile device skills
Dependable transportation and phone number or email
Ability to pass a criminal background check

Want more information? Please contact Julie Cannavino at jcannavino@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Provides Weekly Reemployment Assistance Update - January 6

1/7/2022

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 5, DEO has paid 2,442,032 claimants more than $31.9 billion ($31,902,394,348). Over 5.8 million (5,856,792) unique claims have been processed, representing 99.7 percent of unique claims submitted.
97.9 percent of all eligible benefits requested prior to December 10, 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.

Overpayments

This month, DEO will begin issuing the 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 8, through Sunday, January 9, 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 10, 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 8, through Sunday, January 9, staff resources will be dedicated to processing claims and payments. The Reemployment Assistance Customer Service Center will reopen Monday, January 10, 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.

COVID-19 Testing Offered by Health Department

1/6/2022

The Florida Department of Health - Nassau has provided the below graphic showing FREE COVID-19 testing locations offered by the Department of Health, as well as locations where individuals can obtain Rapid Antigen Tests (home test kits).

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Florida Department of Health - Nassau at (904) 875-6100, Option 1.

County Seeking Volunteers to Serve on the Amelia Island Tree Protection Ordinance Commission

1/6/2022

1/4/22 @ 1:00 p.m.

Amelia Island's tree canopy has communal benefits that preserve the health, safety and general well-being of those residing on Amelia Island, including storm protection, stormwater drainage and treatment, soil stabilization and strengthening, and serving to counter-heat island effects.

In May 2021, the Amelia Island Tree Protection Working Group completed its five-year mission in drafting a new Tree Protection Ordinance, modifying the existing Ordinance passed in 2008, as well as modifying Section 37.02, 37.05 and Article 32 of the Land Development Code.

The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners adopted the updated Amelia Island Tree Ordinance, Ordinance No. 2021-012, on August 9, 2021 with an effective date of February 7, 2022.

As outlined in the Ordinance, the Board of County Commissioners is creating an Amelia Island Tree Ordinance Commission to assist in the administration of the Ordinance. Duties are as follows:

Develop, recommend, and forward to the Board of County Commissioners a tree planting program that will be approved and updated a minimum of every five (5) years;
Review tree/canopy restoration plans;
Hear and decide administration appeals from provisions of the Ordinance;
Recommend to the Board of County Commissioners periodic surveys of trees and vegetation, the designation of canopy roads, and the establishment of a Heritage Tree Program

The Board of County Commissioners is currently seeking volunteers to serve on the Amelia Island Tree Ordinance Commission. The Commission shall, to the extent possible, include five (5) voting members meeting the following criteria:

A Planning & Zoning Board representative recommended by the Planning & Zoning Board;
A Florida licensed Landscape Architect;
An International Society Arboriculture (ISA) Certified County Arborist;
Two citizens who are residents of the unincorporated area of Amelia Island

Voting members shall be appointed for staggered, three year terms. Applications will be accepted beginning today through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 4, 2022. To apply online, please click here.

If you have any questions, contact the Planning Department at (904) 530-6300 or email planninginfo@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer

Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare Support Group Moves to The Journey Church

1/6/2022

Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare
Press Release
Contact: Laureen Pagel, Ph.D, CEO
lpagel@spbh.org
January 5, 2021

Yulee, Fla — Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare’s Family Support Group meetings are now held at The Journey Church, 95707 Amelia Concourse, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. The group meets the second Tuesday of every month from 5:30-7PM.

The Family Support Group is a bereavement group for family members and friends who have lost a loved one to suicide or overdose. It is an open support group, facilitated by a mental health professional from Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare.

For more information on the support group, please click here or contact Kayla Woodle at 904.225.8280, ext. 473 or kwoodle@spbh.org.

About Starting Point
Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare provides mental health and substance abuse treatment services to children, teens and adults in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. The non-profit agency serves more than 3,000 individuals each year and has been serving the region for more than 29 years. Starting Point is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). For more information, please visit www.spbh.org.