The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Pasco eyeing Sunday morning alcohol sales

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Pasco County is looking at lifting its ban on the Sunday morning sales of alcoholic beverages.

Currently, packaged alcoholic beverages cannot be sold before 11 a.m., on Sundays in unincorporated areas of the county.

But, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey thinks the time has arrived for the county to change that.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey thinks the time has come to allow alcohol sales in unincorporated parts of the county on Sunday mornings. (File)

“A lot of counties in the state and around the country have kind of moved away from this old-fashioned law,” Starkey said.

Starkey said constituents have told her they’d like to get rid of the restriction.

She said she herself has witnessed people milling around in the grocery store, waiting to purchase the alcohol they want to take with them — when they’re heading out to go boating, or scalloping or to another activity.

She also thinks the rule should change, so that people who are doing their grocery shopping on Sunday mornings can pick up the alcohol they wish to purchase.

“In Pasco County, you cannot buy any kind of alcohol on Sunday before 11 (a.m.),” Starkey said.

She raised the issued at the Pasco County Commission’s Sept. 8 meeting, suggesting the board request a change to the county’s ordinance.

No one objected, so Starkey suggested County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder come back to the board, to allow earlier alcohol sales on Sundays.

Steinsnyder responded: “If the idea is that you want to treat Sunday the same way you are treating the rest of the week days, that’s what I would do. So, your alcohol sales for every day of the week, would also apply to Sunday. Sunday wouldn’t have special hours.”

Starkey said: “That would be my recommendation.”

The county attorney said the request would be put on the list of board requests, and the proposed change will come back as an introduction to the ordinance, to be sure the board is happy with it, before a public hearing is advertised.

Currently, packaged alcohol beverages may be sold between 11 a.m. and 2 a.m., on Sunday and from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., on the other days of the week.

Published September 16, 2020

Discussion continues on Pasco BMX park

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A BMX and bicycle park may not happen anytime soon in Pasco County, but officials appear to be interested in seeing what can be done to bring the idea to life.

The Pasco County Commission heard a briefing on the concept at its Sept. 8 meeting.

Delaney Morrison, president of the nonprofit Ride Local Inc., outlined the vision for a new large-scale BMX (bicycle motocross) park, that she said would complement existing BMX parks in the region, would expand the area’s recreational offerings and would help to attract more tourists to Pasco County.

Shown here are riders at Tampa BMX in Lutz. A nonprofit organization called Ride Local Inc., is trying to bring a covered BMX track and other amenities to Pasco County. (File)

The idea is to partner with the county to construct a BMX track and bike park on a 23-acre tract situated of the intersection of State Road 54 and Gunn Highway in the Odessa/Trinity area. The land is presently owned by Pasco County Utilities.

Under the proposal, about 3 acres would be used for a BMX dirt race course made of various jumps and rollers.

That would mark the first stage of a larger, surrounding bike park that would include a pump track, skate park, mountain bike obstacle course, casual bike path and other features.

The proposal calls for having an open air, covered track.

“We think that this is super important here in Florida, given the heat and the rain that we have,” Delaney said.  “We really think that that roof will set us apart from just having another BMX track.”

She also noted there would be opportunities for recreational leagues and a beginner’s program for newcomers to the off-road racing sport. And, the facility would host large-scale competitive events sanctioned by USA BMX.

The open space also could be used for drone races, truck rallies, and Boy Scouts of America and All-Pro Dad meet-ups, among other activities, Morrison said.

Over the past year or so, Morrison and her team have had ongoing discussions with Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey and Keith Wiley, the county’s director of parks, recreation and natural resources.

“They came to me because of my background with cycling and biking,” said Starkey, who helped to Delaney’s group find the proposed site.

It’s an excellent location, Delaney noted, because it’s along the booming State Road 54 corridor, sits along the Tower Road extension and near a future high school, whose adjacent lot could be used for overflow parking for large events.

She also noted that it’s in the middle of some huge community developments, such as Asturia and Starkey Ranch, and others being built in the area.

Plus, she said, the location also pairs well with Tampa BMX and Oldsmar BMX, which is under construction — to attract regional and national tournaments.

Commissioners appear open to the idea, but money is the biggest hurdle.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, who also chairs the Tourist Development Council, said during a recent TDC meeting that the county might be able to support some type of land use or lease deal, but is not in the position to fund additional capital projects.

Moore reiterated the funding issue during the board’s Sept. 8 meeting. He said doesn’t want to give the group false hope.

But, Starkey said Delaney’s briefing was for information only, at this point.

She plans to work with Delaney’s group to explore various funding sources, including possible funding from the legislature and support from private sponsors.

Delaney said the Ride Local Inc., is looking into creative ideas, such as leveraging a corporate naming sponsorship or partnering with an electric company to install solar panels on the proposed covered roof to help offset costs.

Keith Wiley, the county’s director of parks, recreation and natural resources, said a bike park/BMX was listed as one of the highest unmet needs during workshops held to develop the county’s most recent master parks plan.

However, Wiley noted, that type of amenity was not included in the master plan and, thus, no money has been planned for that type of project.

Wiley said he likes the concept of a bike park, with a BMX track, a playground and open spaces because that would address diverse user groups.

Delaney noted BMX’s broad appeal.

“The biggest thing about BMX is that this is a family sport,” Delaney added.

“This is one of the few sports that you can do alongside your children, not just sitting on the sidelines watching them, or waiting for practice to be over.”

Adam Thomas, the county’s tourism director, said the proposed facility could help round out the county’s sports offerings.

“The TDC (Tourism Development Council) board is in full support of this. I am in full support of this,” Thomas told county commissioners.

“This is a great opportunity, for not only our citizens, but to really diversify our product as a Sports Coast, and as our destination of sports events. The economic impact is strong. The visitation is strong. You have a great partner here with Delaney. I think this is a great opportunity for us to move forward, but funding — obviously, everything comes down to funding.”

Published September 16, 2020

Pasco outlaws sale of dogs and cats at pet stores

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Pasco County has amended a county ordinance to halt the sale of dogs, cats, kittens and puppies from retail pet stores.

Commissioners adopted the change unanimously — after a public hearing on Sept. 8, which included opposition to the ban; opposition that the language in the ordinance didn’t go far enough; and, support for the change.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore brought his dog, JoJo, to the commission’s Sept. 8 meeting. His family adopted the dog from a rescue organization, and Moore said that despite JoJo’s disabilities, the pet has become a cherished member of the Moore household. (Courtesy of Andrew Taylor/Pasco County)

When Mike Shumate, the county’s director of animal services brought the proposal to the board in August, he urged commissioners to amend the county’s ordinance — to restrict the sale of kittens, puppies, dogs and cats from pet stores — “especially those intentionally selling from large, commercial breeders, out-of-state breeders, puppy mills, primarily.”

During that meeting, Shumate told commissioners that a significant number of puppies and kittens sold at retail pet stores come from out-of-state large-scale breeding facilities.

Shumate said: “There’s documented abuses — endemic of the puppy and kitten mills — including overbreeding, inbreeding, minimal to nonexistent veterinary care, lack of nutritious food, water and shelter, lack of socialization, adequate space and exercise.

“The inhuman conditions of puppy mills and kitten mills often lead to health and behavioral issues,” he added.

This can become a problem for pet owners, who unwittingly purchase an animal that later exhibits health or behavior problems, the animal services director said.

At the Sept. 8 hearing on the amendment, Shumate told commissioners he was aware objections had been made that the proposed amendment had “loopholes.”

But, Shumate said: “Given the definitions that we have for animal rescue operations, we think that will sufficiently to prevent the loopholes.”

When introducing the need for the amendment, in August, Shumate said that the change will result in decreased demand for pets bred in puppy and kitten mills.

It also will result in increased demand for pets from animal shelters and rescue operations, he said.

Shumate also said the new regulation will not prevent consumers from being able to find pets because there are plenty of animals available, both locally and throughout the state.

There is one existing pet store in the county, and it will be grandfathered in because the county is not concerned about being able to respond to any issues, should they arise, Shumate said.

Published September 16, 2020

Eagle Scout project yields outdoor classroom

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Ashton Offutt was just in fourth grade when he came up with the idea of creating an outdoor classroom — but it wasn’t until he was a high school junior that the idea became reality.

When he was in fourth grade, Ashton Offutt came up with the idea of creating an outdoor classroom. The Gaither High student recently led the effort to build one, as his Eagle Scout project. (Courtesy of Lynnette Offutt)

Ashton, who is seeking the rank of Eagle Scout, enlisted the help of volunteers and raised money to create an outdoor learning space, with a sunshield, at Claywell Elementary.

Ashton said part of the motivation for creating the classroom outdoors is because he knows having that would have benefited him, personally, during his early school years.

The Gaither High student estimates it took about 40 hours to plan the project and about 30 to complete the work.

Tampa Electric Co. stepped up to help — donating poles and providing some physical labor.

He had lots of helpers.

Tampa Electric Co. stepped up, donating six 15-foot poles and a crew to help install them.

They had planned to use a crane, but that had to be scrapped because the concrete was too thin and the weight of the crane could have cracked it, Ashton explained.

So, five grown men worked together to lift and guide the poles, which had to be buried 5 feet into the ground to support the sunshade, Ashton said.

The weather-resistant fabric stretches above 12 classroom benches, a dry erase board and a communication board.

The communication board is a tool to enable students who can’t speak to convey what they want to say, Ashton said.

In addition to the TECO crew, folks from the BPOE Elks Tampa 708 and others pitched in — for a total of 57 volunteers. Ashton also raised $3,845 to pay for the project.

Scouting has been a way of life for Ashton who became a Tiger Scout shortly after finishing kindergarten. He’s now a member of Boy Scout Troop 339, in Lutz.

Second-grade teacher Dawn Phillips takes advantage of the new classroom, to move learning outside for her students.

Ashton has a connection to Claywell because he went to school there. To this day, he appreciates the help he received from his tutor, Jenny Paloumpis, who is still a teacher at the Northdale school.

Permission for the project at the school came from Claywell Elementary Principal Rob Jones and from the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, said Lynnette Offutt, Ashton’s mom.

Besides scouting, Ashton enjoys orienteering with the Gaither High School ROTC program, and operating remote-control cars.

He plans to attend college, but isn’t sure which one yet — and he aspires to join the U.S. Army, where he hopes to be part of a bomb squad, working with canines to sniff out explosives.

Published September 09, 2020

New recycling facility proposed for State Road 52

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a rezoning to allow the construction of an industrial material sorting facility and commercial uses on a 65.71-acre site, in Central Pasco County.

Specifically, the rezoning would allow recycling operations in a 500,000-square-foot industrial sorting facility and 150,000 square feet of commercial uses on the site.

The new facility would be located on the north side of State Road 52, about 2,400 feet west of U.S. 41, according to Pasco County documents.

The current zoning on the land is agriculture, general commercial and light industrial. The new zoning would be for a master-planned unit development.

The request received a recommendation for approval by county planners and was on the Planning Commission’s consent agenda.

No one spoke against the request during the Aug. 27 public hearing, and planning commissioners unanimously recommended approval of the request to the Pasco County Commission.

RBR Properties West Florida LLC is the applicant for the rezoning to allow the project known as Paw Materials, according to county documents.

Most of the property is currently unimproved, with the exception of some existing structures and a pole barns, from a closed saw mill, abutting State Road 52.

The Planning Commission’s recommendation for approval is contingent upon 53 conditions, which include specific hours of operation; regulate noise, spell out types of recycling activities and other uses that are allowed; and specify buffering, fencing and other requirements.

The applicant also must meet requirements of environmental agencies, and must abide by conditions related to traffic circulation, turn-lanes and other improvements.

In the office development portion of the rezoning, the maximum building height shall be 75 feet, and the maximum lot coverage will be 75%, according to the conditions.

The request next will be considered by the Pasco County Commission, which makes final zoning and land use decisions.

Published September 09, 2020

Injured veteran gets a new home

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Cpl. Tim Read was given a hero’s welcome, when he and his wife, Anh, arrived at their new home in Wesley Chapel.

The crowd stands at attention, after the flag is raised in front of Tim and Anh Read’s new home in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Teresa Verity/Homes For Our Troops)

They were there to receive the keys to their new residence from the nonprofit organization Homes for our Troops.

A special ceremony was held on Aug. 29 to celebrate the couple’s new home, with a key presentation, a flag raising, The Pledge of Allegiance and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The presentation also honored Read, who was injured while deployed to Afghanistan, according to a news release from Home for our Troops.

Tim and Anh Read recite the Pledge of Allegiance, during a celebration to welcome them to their new home in Wesley Chapel.

Read was on patrol on Oct. 15, 2010 with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, in Marjah, Afghanistan, when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED).

The blast resulted in the loss of his left leg above the knee, and other injuries, the release says.

Normally, key presentations draw a big crowd. This event was kept smaller, intentionally, because of Florida’s current guidelines to limit public gatherings to 50 people to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The home, which features more than 40 major special adaptations, was paid for through donations from donors, supporters and corporate partners, the news release says.

To find out more about the organization, visit HFOTusa.org.

Published September 09, 2020

Voting locations to expand

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Election supervisors in Pasco and Hillsborough counties plan to expand opportunities to voters in the coming General Election, to make it easier for them to have their voices heard.

Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley has announced plans to add more early voting sites for this year’s Presidential Election.

The county also will extend the length of the early voting period, according to a news release from Corley’s office.

The changes are being made “in anticipation of increased voter turnout and the inevitable potential for long lines and wait times due to social distancing and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)-recommended cleaning guidelines,” the release says.

The early voting period in Pasco County is Oct. 18 through Oct. 31, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., including weekends.

The county also has increased the number of early voting sites.

“A longer voting period and a total of 14 locations marks a new high for Pasco County,” the release from Corley’s office reports.

“In partnership with Pasco County Administration, we have secured additional sites to include Veterans Memorial Park Gymnasium, J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex Gymnasium, Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex Gymnasium and Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus,” Corley says, in the release. “The response from Dan Biles, County Administrator, was without hesitation and completely in the spirit of being on the same team.”

The release also notes that the addition of county sports complexes and gymnasiums will give Pasco voters more options for casting their ballot in-person, and, in terms of size, will accommodate more voters while still social distancing. The Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex Gymnasium will replace the Land O’ Lakes Library. The library, which is next to the recreation complex, has been a well-attended early voting site, the release says.

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer reports that his county has 24 early voting locations — offering convenient options for voters throughout the county.

Hillsborough County will begin mailing out vote-by-mail ballots on Sept. 24. Ballots must be return to the supervisor’s office by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, which is Election Day.

Hillsborough also is adding curbside drop-off tents at Latimer’s four offices, which will operate seven days a week, beginning Oct. 1.

Early voting in Hillsborough is Oct. 19 through Nov. 1, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Nationally, President Donald Trump has raised questions about the integrity of the vote-by-mail process, although he has said that Florida’s vote-by-mail system is safe and secure.

Latimer assured voters that “in Florida, our systems will not allow us to accept more than one ballot from a voter.

“A voter’s record is updated to show that a mail ballot has been mailed to them, and updated again when the voted mail ballot has been received and verified.

“Poll workers have this information during early voting and Election Day. If a voter has received a vote-by-mail ballot and shows up to vote in person, one of two things happen: “If the ballot has not been received yet, the voter may vote in person and their mail ballot will be canceled. If the mail ballot arrives at the office after they voted in person, the mail ballot will not be accepted.

“If that voter’s vote-by-mail ballot has already been received, it is deemed “cast” and they will not be allowed to cast an in-person vote,” Latimer said, via email.

For a list of early voting locations and other election information, visit PascoVotes.gov.

For the same type of information in Hillsborough County, visit VoteHillsborough.org.

Published September 09, 2020

Boundary process beginning soon for Starkey K-8

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Construction of the new Starkey K-8 school is well underway, and Pasco County Schools has begun notifying families that may be affected by the boundary changes that will be required to assign students to the school.

The school — part of a complex that includes a theater, library and cultural center — is scheduled to open in the 2021-2022 school year.

Significant progress has been made on the construction.

“I drove by Starkey K-8 the other day and it is just incredible how that building has come up out of the ground,” Superintendent Kurt Browning told Pasco County School Board members at their Sept. 1 meeting.

“It is a phenomenal facility,” Browning said. “It’ll be a huge addition to the Starkey Ranch development, so we’re excited about that.”

But, whenever a new school opens, the district must draw new boundaries — a process that can sometimes become controversial.

Browning told board members that the district is preparing to begin the boundary process for Starkey K-8.

“We’ll be communicating with potentially impacted families currently attending Odessa Elementary School, Longleaf Elementary School and River Ridge Middle School, regarding the timeline and the process,” Browning said.

“Our plan is to open the K-8, as a K-7, its first year, and then become a K-8, in its second year,” Browning said, noting that district staff would be sending out communications in the afternoon. following the board meeting.

“I wanted the board to know about it, first,” he said.

Watergrass and Wesley Chapel elementary schools also may see some boundary shifts, Browning said, but he added there are no students currently in the areas that would be affected.

“Proposed maps will be developed this month and a parent night workshop is planned for Oct. 6, at Odessa Elementary School,” Browning said. “The public hearing for the boundaries proposal is planned for Nov. 17 at 6 p.m., with final school board action on Dec. 1.

“We’ll continue to communicate with potentially affected families throughout this process and provide opportunities for feedback. And, this time, we’ll be relying heavily on our ‘Let’s Talk.’”

In other news, Deputy Superintendent Ray Gadd shared information regarding the district’s inventory of surplus sites that are available for future construction of schools, as the district grows.

There was a time when the district didn’t have any land for future schools, Gadd said, describing how he would drive around the county in his pickup truck searching for acreages with for sale signs.

When he found one, he’d have Chris Williams, the district’s director of planning, check it out.

Over time, the district has acquired a number of sites, through purchases and as part of development orders that require sites to be dedicated for schools, as part of development approvals.

“We now have very tight procedures for receiving land from developers,” Gadd explained to board members.

“We are well-positioned for the future, in terms of building schools and preparing for future growth in this county.”

School board member Alison Crumbley applauded Gadd and other district staffers who have addressed this issue, noting she remembers when the district faced significant challenges in securing affordable land.

Meanwhile, the Pasco County Planning Commission recently took an action that relates to a planned district school site.

Planning commissioners voted on Aug. 27 to recommend the school district’s proposed site for the Kirkland Academy of Innovation, on a 104.4-acre site, southeast of the intersection of Curley Road and Kiefer Road.

The planned project will consist of two buildings, totaling 228,458 square feet.

No one spoke in opposition to the request at the planning commission’s meeting.

Published September 09, 2020

Taking the long view, during a pandemic

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Like many businesses across the state, The Florida Aquarium was on a roll — before COVID-19 slammed the brakes on the economy, especially the tourism sector.

“We had two years of just record attendance and record revenues, and we were growing,” Roger Germann, president and CEO of the nonprofit conservation organization, said, during a Zoom breakfast meeting with the North Tampa Bay Chamber.

Roger Germann, president and CEO of The Florida Aquarium, is enthused about the future of the downtown Tampa attraction, which offers visitors a chance to have fun, to learn and to contribute to its conservation efforts. (File)

In mid-March, though, aquarium operations came to a halt.

Initially, Germann thought the shutdown would be for two weeks, but it soon became apparent it would be longer.

“You’ve got to make tough decisions in tough times, even if they’re uncomfortable decisions,” said Germann, who became the aquarium’s leader in 2017.

He decided to announce that the aquarium would be shuttered until May 10.

“I caught some flak, as a business leader, from a few folks, saying, ‘“We don’t know it will be that long, you’re not providing hope’,” Germann said.

But, he knew that he had the option of reopening within 48 hours, if conditions changed.

He also wanted to come up with a responsible reopening plan, and to give his 270-member staff a sense of stability in the interim.

“It was an investment in my staff. Hey, ‘You’re OK for eight weeks,’” Germann said. “I need to have you looking at the next 24 months, not the next 24 hours.”

Jellyfish are just one example of interesting sea creatures living at The Florida Aquarium.

“I have to invest in my people. I have to invest in making sure that we are strong enough to reopen, and the survivability of The Florida Aquarium is well beyond the next 24 hours — it’s the next 24 years,” he said.

By giving them a longer runway, the staff could maintain operations, take care of the animals, and figure out how to safely and successfully reopen, he said.

“We worked first with Tampa General Hospital and USF Health,” he said, noting those experts did site visits and helped the aquarium prepare to reopen safely.

The health professionals continue to monitor the situation, at least once a month, he added.

“We never want to let our guard down. Things change regularly, as you know, in science, especially in this particular case,” Germann said.

The shutdown also provided opportunity for introspection: “How do we look at our business model? What are things that we need to change?

“As a business leader, you make your decisions. It’s not always the bottom line that’s the focus. I knew that that money we were going to lose during that time — I call it Monopoly money, it is gone,” Germann said.

“We’ll probably lose close to $10 million in earned revenue by the time the fiscal year ends at the end of this month, but that certain portion is gone,” he said.

People enjoy getting wet, at The Florida Aquarium’s splashpad.

Just months before the pandemic, the aquarium launched a $14 million capital campaign.

“We said, ‘We’re making no little plans. We’re going to continue to upgrade the facility. We’re going to continue to make sure that it is a facility that you are proud of,” he said.

The capital campaign calls for investments, to enable the facility — which has been named by USA Today readers as the No. 2 aquarium in North America — to grow and expand.

“These are ideas (in the capital campaign) that are just on hold. They have not gone away by any means. They are just on hold,” Germann said.

Now celebrating its 25th year, the aquarium has been working on ways to strengthen connections within the community, Germann said.

It’s encouraging locals who haven’t been to the facility in downtown Tampa in awhile, to come check it out.

It wants to show off its animals, share the story of its conservation efforts and invite people to enjoy fun experiences there, he said.

While the pandemic has presented challenges, Germann is optimistic about the future and eager for the aquarium to continue pursuing its mission.

“We were the first aquarium in North America to reopen. We reopened on May 10,” he said.

“We were ready to go, and we were ready to contribute — really, truly — back to the mental and emotional health that we needed in this healing process.

“We all need to lift each other, and we’re all in this together,” Germann said.

Published September 09, 2020

Business Digest 09/09/2020

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Chamber breakfast canceled
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the First National Bank of Pasco, has canceled its Sept. 15 breakfast meeting.

“Even with slightly improving numbers, the safety and comfort level of our chamber members, attendees, volunteers and staff of both the venue and the chamber are paramount,” John Moors, the chamber’s executive director said, in a chamber posting.

“We had provisions to limit the number of attendees and ensure CDC guidelines are followed, but with the uncertainty and planning time, we felt it appropriate, and good leadership, to cancel this event and hope for a successful chamber breakfast in October,” Moors said.

Foundation makes donation
The Wells Fargo Foundation has made a $20,000 donation to the SMARTstart Microloan Fund, which is a program of the Pasco Economic Development Council. During the past decade, Wells Fargo has made 12 donations to the program, for a total of $163,000, according to a Pasco EDC news release. The Microloan Fund supports small businesses and start-ups in Pasco County that are not able to receive loans through traditional means.

“Small businesses are the fabric of our communities,” J. Bradley Smith, a Pasco EDC board member, said in the release. Smith also is manager of the Wells Fargo Pasco East District.

This fiscal year, four microloans have been awarded — to a delicatessen, packaged beverage manufacturer, online home health agency and a gourmet café. The loans totaled $147,500.

“Our SMARTstart program supports Pasco entrepreneurs and small businesses through a variety of resources,” Bill Cronin, president/CEO, Pasco EDC, said in the release. “This donation adds financial support for businesses when they are ineligible for traditional bank loans. The fact that Wells Fargo still sees the value in our small businesses and is willing to help through a private donation speaks volumes to them as strong partners in our community.”

Small business financial assistance
Hillsborough County has paused a business assistance application program — to make a process that’s easier and allows for larger awards.

The assistance is intended to help businesses in Hillsborough that have been affected by the sustained COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, according to a Hillsborough County news release.

The County’s Rapid Response Recovery Program (R3) is being reformatted so that more businesses can qualify for assistance.

The county expected to launch its new Phase 4 program on Aug. 31.

Through the first three phases of the program, the county has been working with more than 3,000 small businesses on requests for nearly $32 million in direct funding.

Phase 4 is designed to expand access to more businesses and increase award amounts, simplify qualifications, and make applications easier. Changes include: Increasing awards to up to $40,000 for operational/working capital expenses to provide an immediate infusion of capital to local small businesses.

The awards will be based the size of the small business, with tiers based on the number of employees. Eligibility has been expanded to businesses established before Jan. 1, 2020.

Applicants who were denied in Phase 1 through Phase 3 may now qualify under the Phase 4 criteria and can simply resubmit their existing application.

Habitat for Humanity help
Wells Fargo Foundation has awarded Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County with a $15,000 grant to build an affordable home in Dade City, according to a Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce posting.

The funding is part of an $8.1 million donation to Habitat for Humanity International for capacity building and direct mission support to build, renovate and repair more than 350 affordable homes across the United States, according to information shared by The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

The grant is provided through Wells Fargo Builds SM and is part of the Wells Fargo Foundation’s $1 billion philanthropic commitment to create more housing affordability solutions by 2025.

New dental office coming
Dr. Jeffrey Barrazueta, DMD, and Samir Barsoum, DMD, soon will offer dental services to the community of Odessa at Dental Care at Starkey Ranch. The full-service, state-of-the-art family dental practice is set to open in a new facility on Sept. 18.

“We are excited to be joining the Odessa community to offer high-quality dental services to families and individuals of all ages,” said Dr. Barrazueta. “Our mission is to provide exceptional experiences to each patient who walks through our doors.”

“Dental health is vital to overall health, so we want to help our patients make the best decisions for their care,” said Dr. Barsoum. “We plan to educate patients on the importance of dental care and encourage them to adopt an ongoing preventative care routine.”

Dental Care at Starkey Ranch is at 2638 Gunn Highway in Odessa. The office is accepting new patients. For more information, call (813) 560-1264, or visit DentalCareAtStarkeyRanch.com.

Job security a big concern, survey says
A new WalletHub survey found that one in three Americans is worried about layoffs.

The survey also found that 74% of people think that Congress should continue to give extra unemployment benefits until the COVID-19 pandemic ends.

The current rate of unemployment is 10.2%, according to WalletHub, which recently released a nationally representative Coronavirus & Labor Day Survey.

The survey also found that 77% of Americans do not trust others to be responsible with social distancing over Labor Day Weekend.

Also, the survey found that half of Americans think they’ve worked harder since the pandemic began.

Black business owners hit hard
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have varied across demographic groups, and black business owners have shown the biggest decline in business activity, according to information released by the Office of Advocacy for the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The number of black people who were working and self-employed in July 2020 was 18.4% lower than in July 2019, while the decline for everyone else was 6.3%, the SBA reports.

Declines have been bigger for black women than for black men, with a decline for black women in July of 19.8% and a decline for black men of 17.6%.

Read the SBA’s “Small Business Facts: Black business owners hit hard by pandemic” to learn more.