APCC Members and friends,

The Avon Park Chamber of Commerce staff and board of directors wanted to thank everyone (especially our members and local businesses, elected officials, and first responders here and throughout Highlands County) for their combined efforts & cooperation serving those impacted by COVID 19 throughout an exceptionally challenging 2020. 

Since 1904, as a nongovernmental non-profit busines organization, the Avon Park Chamber of Commerce has striven to advance and expand the economic opportunities of its members through marketing efforts, fundraisers, monthly sponsorship networking luncheons, community events and access to employer/employee development training programs. We have also helped to facilitate business opportunities with other APCC members, the City and County governments, and School District – with each other as friends and as potential clients.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the health and prosperity of individuals and our regional business community.  It has also disrupted the presentation of our scheduled programming and events.

Following the direction of Highlands County, State of Florida, and Federal health entities (Florida Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and their COVID 19 health measures and recommendations ( which include social distancing, spacing, hand washing and updated scientific recommendations), we decided to err on the side of caution and cancel several traditional events which have included monthly luncheons at the historic Jacaranda Hotel, our annual pageant, our participation with Florida Flywheelers, and our annual Christmas Parade.

In spite of this, since March 2020 (and during the Florida mandated lockdown and subsequent re-openings for businesses), we have held daily work week office hours and continually alerted our members and various communities of vital business, event, and health and safety announcements in a timely manner and through our social media platforms.

And we have also created several successful initiatives, services, and virtual events which have included:

• Weekly regional COVID-19 testing information
• Weekly member and community email updates
• Involvement with successful food donations to churches and first responders
• Providing important information for PPP Loans, SBA disaster Loans, and HC Cares Act application and grant information
• Providing Highlands County early voting and voting information
• Distribution of over 6,000 PPE face coverings to businesses and individuals throughout Avon Park and Highlands County requesting them.
• Presentation of VIRTUAL EVENTS  and “Chamber Chats” with US Representative Steube, Highlands County Commissioner Don Elwell, and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and M-Cores Southwest-Central Florida Connector representatives.
• VIRTUAL LUNCHEONS with The Manor at Lake Jackson and Nucor Steel, Florida.

The Avon Park Chamber of Commerce will continue to serve our City and regional publics while making healthy and informed decisions related to the health and safety of future events. And, as we all adapt to changes COVID-19 presents, the APCC is optimistic we can all return to more normalized and safe event environments – especially with the progress now being made on a COVID 19 vaccine.

We are also working with the Hotel Jacaranda ( 19 E. Main St., Avon Park, Florida) to ensure healthy and safe “in person” Chamber monthly luncheons starting in the new year.

Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving,

George K. Karos II

Executive Director

Avon Park Chamber of Commerce