Is Major League Baseball in Central Florida just a dream? At the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce’s quarterly luncheon Thursday, Orlando Dreamers COO Jim Schanorf said it’s not only possible—it’s going to happen.

“Pat took us from the goal line to the opponent’s 15-yard line and now we just need to take it in for a touchdown,” Schanorf told the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce at their quarterly luncheon at the Civic Center on Thursday afternoon.

Schanorf was the featured guest speaker at the sports-themed luncheon and he presented a positive update on his organization’s efforts – which started more than two years ago by an announcement by former Orlando Magic founder Pat Williams and has continued to move forward after Williams’ passing in July of last year.

In his appearance in St. Cloud, Schanorf pointed out that either through relocation or expansion, Orlando was well poised to host a major league franchise.

“Major League Baseball said there would be no talks of expansion until the stadium situations of two cities – Oakland and Tampa Bay were addressed,” he said.  “Oakland appears headed for Las Vegas, but Tampa Bay is certainly up in the air.”

The Rays were forced out of their home in Tropicana Field when last year’s Hurricane Milton ripped the roof off the facility.  The team ended up playing its home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa this year at the New York Yankees spring training facility.  In addition, the Rays lease with Tampa is set to expire in 2028.

Tampa as the Rays home beyond that is certainly in limbo for several reasons. Current owner Stuart Sternberg is apparently close to selling the team, an earlier deal brokered to build a new stadium on the Tampa side of the bay has fallen apart and repairs on Tropicana are not expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2026 season.

Schanorf pitched the idea that an ideal site for a new stadium exists on a 35-acre track in south Orange County next the Aquatica Water Park.   He suggested that since the property was owned by Orange County, the acquisition for a new ballpark could be a seamless transition.

In addition – and more importantly – he pointed out the Dreamer organization confirmed last April that qualified investors have provided preliminary letters of intent and verbal commitments approaching $1.5 billion in equity investments to purchase a franchise; and an additional $1 billion in private equity had been pledged to build a new stadium.  With the death of Williams, former major league all-star Barry Larkin has become the point person in pushing the Orlando effort.

If the Rays ultimately decide not to relocate, Schanorf said it would not end his organization’s efforts to secure Major League baseball, as other teams in the league are facing stadium issues and baseball commissioner Rob Manfred has already floated the idea of expansion by at least two teams once the A’s and Rays stadium issues are addressed.

“Several other teams, including the White Sox, Royals and others are nearing the end of their lease and are having stadium issues,” he said.  “On top of that you have a lot of cities wanting an expansion team, but Orlando should be on the top of the list.” 

Schanorf pointed to an independent study commissioned by his organization to rank potential expansion candidates on 11 specific criteria including ownership, stadium financing, and other issues that baseball considers as vital for expansion.  “We ranked number first in nine of the 11 categories.  We were by far the most qualified and ready organization and no other city was even close.”

He went on to explain how Major League Baseball coming to Orlando would be an economic boom to the area, including Osceola County.  “A franchise, particularly if it is built on our preferred site result would result in a huge lift to Osceola County’s economy,” Schanorf said.  “From construction to vendors to job opportunities, Osceola would benefit tremendously from the start.”

Still a ton of questions exist.

In reality, many of the experts would probably question whether the Dreamers are anywhere close “knocking on the goal line.”

Would baseball even consider a third franchise for Florida, where the two existing franchises are among the worst in attendance?  The Dreamers emphasize how tourists would be a major supporter of the franchise, but that presents another set of questions.  How comfortable would the area’s major theme parks be with baseball siphoning of dollars they are competing for? And finally, how secure is this “committed” financing the organization claims?

Orlando’s best chance to get a baseball team most likely rests on their ability to lure the Rays from Tampa with a new stadium.  What isn’t known is how the proposed sale of the Rays to Jacksonville billionaire home builder Patrick Zalupski fits into the equation.  The relationship between Rays (with Steinberg in charge) and St. Pete/Tampa officials had become toxic and if the sale to Zalupski happens —  how much would that relationship change and what are his intentions for the franchise?

Still Schanorf and the Dreamers remain upbeat.

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This Year’s Christmas Parade Theme is “Toys on Parade”

The St. Cloud Christmas Parade is a family-friendly event, with festivities for all ages. This locally televised event will be live-streamed on the St Cloud Chamber’s social media pages.

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Politics in the Barn offers a relaxed, informal setting where attendees can interact with candidates and discuss their platforms. The event will also feature a Straw Poll hosted by the Supervisor of Elections Office, allowing attendees to cast their preliminary votes and gauge the political climate ahead of the official election.

In addition to engaging with local candidates, attendees will enjoy a dinner as part of the event. This gathering not only supports political engagement but also fosters community spirit and involvement.

Tickets for Politics in the Barn are available for $30 through the Chamber’s website at www.stcloudflchamber.com or by calling the Chamber at (407) 892-3671.

The St. Cloud Greater Osceola County Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to advocating for community and business prosperity.

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Get ready to be enchanted by the magic of the holiday season as the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce proudly announces the return of its much-awaited 2023 Annual Christmas Parade, sponsored Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital, the City of St. Cloud,  and Experience Kissimmee on Saturday, December 2nd, at 10 am, in the heart of Downtown St. Cloud. This year’s event promises to be an unforgettable celebration for families and friends alike with the cheerful theme of “Christmas Movie Time,” attendees can expect an extravaganza inspired by their favorite yuletide classics.

The St. Cloud Chamber Christmas Parade has a rich history of fostering community spirit and spreading joy throughout Osceola County. As one of the largest and longest-running Christmas parades in the region, this annual extravaganza has become a cherished tradition for residents and visitors alike. With an array of vibrant floats, festive music, and lively performances, the parade is set to captivate the hearts of attendees, setting the stage for a memorable start to the holiday season.

This year’s theme, “Christmas Movie Time,” invites participants and spectators to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of beloved holiday films. From timeless classics to contemporary favorites, the parade will showcase intricately designed floats paying homage to the iconic moments and characters that have graced the silver screen over the years. Whether it’s the whimsical journey of the Polar Express, the heartwarming adventures of the Griswold family in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, or the timeless charm of It’s a Wonderful Life, the parade promises to bring to life the magic of these cherished stories.

Pennsylvania Avenue in Downtown St. Cloud is set to come alive with a vibrant array of pre-parade festivities at the highly anticipated 2023 Annual Christmas Parade. As the excitement builds for the main event, attendees will be treated to a delightful showcase of talent and musical enchantment. The St. Cloud High School Chorus, led by the accomplished Tammie Combs, is poised to dazzle the crowd with their harmonious holiday melodies and heartwarming Christmas carols, adding a touch of local charm to the festive ambiance. Furthermore, the prelude to the parade will be opened by special guest singer Camila Quintera from the renowned OCSA, delivering a soul-stirring rendition of our beloved National Anthem. The enchantment continues with the captivating tunes of the keyboardist extraordinaire Abigal Wong, whose musical finesse promises to infuse the air with a sense of wonder and joy. Additionally, the melodic tones of saxophonist Keith Ronan with Positively Osceola, renowned for his performances at SeaWorld Orlando, will weave a spellbinding musical tapestry, captivating the hearts of the audience and setting the stage for an unforgettable Christmas parade experience.

In the spirit of the season, the St. Cloud Christmas Parade is designed to be a delightful experience for the entire family. From children to grandparents, everyone is encouraged to join in the merriment and revel in the festive atmosphere. With a host of activities and surprises planned along the parade route, attendees can look forward to an abundance of joy and laughter, making cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

With its rich history, enchanting theme, and promise of festive fun for all, the St. Cloud Christmas Parade is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this unforgettable celebration and an opportunity to create cherished memories with your loved ones.

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Anybody who lost their job, some hours or were furloughed due to coronavirus-related closure or slowdown of their business, will get an answer sooner than later about how and when they can safely do that.

“How?” and “When?” are very important questions that must be answered before it can happen, and members of the business community locally and regionally are working on answers to those questions.

Locally there’s the group Osceola Back to Work, a “think tank” of business members, most being small businesses who are Kissimmee/Osceola County and St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce members, who are working to collect the based Osceola-centric information on what businesses can open safely while maintain social distancing and other CDC guidelines for stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Then there is a regional task force, with representatives from Osceola, Orange, Seminole and Lake counties, which is looking at the area’s economy as a whole to see what can open and when. Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber President John Newstreet is on both task forces, and serves as Osceola’s liaison to the regional group.

“There’s just so many unknowns going forward,” Newstreet said. “As a region, we can do this together. It’s my hope that we can do it sooner than later, but we have to have the confidence of consumers who will venture out to business, and can do it safely. We don’t want the ‘OK’ given to reopen up, businesses reopen, we get a second spike and then they have to shut down again for a month … or however long.”

The Osceola group has been meeting on Fridays. The regional task force will meet on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., Newstreet said.

At a brief Osceola County Commision meeting Monday, Commissioner Fred Hawkins said he wanted to see Osceola County’s re-opening plan work in “lock step” with Orange County’s to create confusion — or mass fleeing from one county to another because a kind of business is open in one place and closed in the other.

“I agree with Fred, from a business standpoint, about consistency and certainty,” Newstreet said.

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“You are the first chamber, that we are aware of, in the country that is a partner with JA,” longtime Osceola County Tommy Tompkins, named JA’s laureate at its recent 42nd Business Hall of Fame induction, told a Chamber gathering Monday. “Junior Achievement is one of the oldest non-profit foundation organizations in America, it’s over 100 years old. I love what they do and represent. Chambers and Junior Achievement go hand-in-hand. And It’s significant what they do.”

Tompkins said his link to JA started long ago when he led the Education Foundation of Osceola County. He said investing in it is another way to invest in the community’s future.

“Our Chamber represents the community and the voice for business, it’s members who build community. The future of community, it’s not us, it’s those in classrooms in Osceola County schools right now,” he said. “The best thing we can do as a chamber is go out and help support and direct that future so our efforts will have a benefit in the future. We’re working for next year, the best way to do that is through the classrooms. It will take time but we will come together.”

“It’s so important for this organization to do what we’re doing in forming this partnership to build the future of this community. It’s only going to be as good as we make it. If we do nothing, it will be nothing. If we do something, it will be huge.

Kathy Panter, President/CEO of Junior Achievement Central Florida, said at Monday’s gathering that it aligns closely with the Chamber.

“We often call Junior Achievement ‘the Chamber for kids,” she said. “We start with them from K-12 and let Dirk (Webb, the Chamber’s president) take over when they’re out school.”

And Webb is also connected to JA himself. “The Chamber believes very strongly in education. I’m a Junior Achievement alum. It’s here I first learned you make a good product you don’t mind standing behind, about customer service with a smile, and that you invest in your company, your community and everyone around you.”

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Brian Beum, with “A Jump Time,” received Volunteer of the Quarter due to his positive attitude, ideas and creativeness. Brian made a Positive Difference in his volunteering for the Annual St. Cloud Chamber Christmas Parade and for donating a bounce house for the event.

Traudi Rayzor, from Rayzor’s Edge in downtown St. Cloud, was awarded the Good Neighbor Award because of her involvement with Relay for Life and the Bike & Music Festival, of which she is the creator and promoter. Traudi has been a member of the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce for 19 years, is extremely active in the community, and is also a member of the Osceola Business Group.

The Community Image – New Construction Award was awarded to Claudia and Brain Dundas from Creative World School, located at 4500 Lexington Blvd.
in St. Cloud, FL. for their participation in chamber events and for their sponsorship involvement.

Kira Takena, with A Helping Hand Counseling Center, received the February 2019 Quartley Luncheon Award for Non-Profit. She has been an active member of the Chamber for a number of years, and is always to serve the chamber and community and is a very talented public speaker.

Lastly, the Business of the Quarter Award went to Mike Reilly with Shamrock Auto Body. Mike sponsored the Annual St. Cloud Chamber Banquet that took place  in the Fall of 2018 and has participated in events like St. Cloud PD’s foundation, D.A.R.E. to Care, as well as the local Jingle Bell Ball event which provided an amazing amount of Christmas toys and so much more to children and families in Osceola County who are in need.

Osceola County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb spoke to the crowd about the sales tax referendum that will take place in a special election on May 21, 2019. She also explained to the lunch attendees the amount of revenue that would be generated from the sales tax and how those funds will be directly targeted towards Osceola County’s  transportation needs, which as well know, are numerous. To learn more about the the sales tax referendum and the upcoming special election please visit https://www.osceola.org/one-cent-surtax-for-transportation/#FAQ or call (407)742- ROAD with any questions.

“Based on the amount of money produced by this sales tax,  some of the transportation challenges and projects that we currently have could be expedited  – we are currently so far behind. “ – Cheryl Grieb, Osceola County Commissioner

Brain Harris, CFO of AmeraTrail gave an overview of the short term and long term growth plan of AmeraCenter Business Park which is a new business development for the east-side of Osceola County near Harmony Florida. AmeraTrail will be moving its headquarters to Osceola County with an overarching goal to increase talent and jobs in the area, create partnerships – “own versus lease”, create an attractive infrastructure design, and connect with the best resources to recruit the ideal businesses for the area. With the purchase of land off of east HWY 192 near Old Melbourne Hwy, AmeraCenter Business Park will provide n numerous opportunities for new manufacturing companies, new health clinics, distribution centers, agriculture – Agribusiness/Farm Support, warehouses, and much more. Construction is planned to begin in April 2019. For more information on this upcoming Business Park, please visit https://www.snowconstructioninc.com/ameracenter-business-park.

“We always welcome and support new industries in our community. We are always looking for opportunities for our members to increase their current businesses and also create economic development in our community that attracts not only new businesses but businesses that want to hire local residents.” – Patt Loeding, St. Cloud Chamber Chair Elect

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