By B.C. Manion
There were school board members, county commissioners, engineers, lawyers, hoteliers, manufacturers, digital game makers and people from a multitude of other careers at the Pasco Economic Development Council’s (PEDC) 26th annual Appreciation Banquet.
More than 650 registered to attend the gala, which was at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel on Sept. 5.
The banquet followed a trade show, which attracted nearly 60 vendors providing a wide range of services, such as medical, banking, development services and manufacturing.
Trey Starkey, the chairman of the board for PEDC, gave the keynote address.
Winners of the 2012 PEDC Industry of the Year were announced during the banquet.
The PEDC evaluates top companies in Pasco County each year for their technology, innovation, job creation, growth, and capital investment in the area. They also measure companies’ involvement in community activities.
Finalists were interviewed by an independent panel of judges on a range of different topics from capital investments and company growth, market and technology innovation, leadership and involvement in industry and community organizations.
This year’s winners were:
—Manufacturing Industry of the Year – Category 1:
Pasco Iron & Metal, 21240 Lake Patience Road in Land O’ Lakes
—Manufacturing Industry of the Year – Category 2:
Pall Aeropower Corp., 10540 Ridge Road in New Port Richey
—Service/Distribution Industry of the Year – Category 1:
Copperstone Executive Suites & Business Center, 3632 US 41 Suite ‘0’ in Land O’ Lakes
—Service/Distribution Industry of the Year – Category 2:
R. J. Kielty Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, 9507 SR 52 in Hudson
—Special Recognition Award:
Hyundai of New Port Richey, 3936 US 19
—Special Contribution Award:
Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 SR 54
—Technology Award:
Artix Entertainment
