B.C. Manion

Business Digest 10/31/2018

October 31, 2018 By B.C. Manion

2018 Economic Summit
The 2018 annual Economic Development Summit is set for Nov. 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. Numerous panelists will discuss the economic opportunities in health care, education, tourism and hospitality, and the overall business development environment. For tickets or more information, call (813) 994-8534.

Women-n-Charge
Women-n-Charge meets at 11:30 a.m., on the first Friday of each month, at the Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., Land O’ Lakes. The cost is $15 for members and $18 for guests who RSVP by Monday prior to the meeting. Tuesday and after, the cost is $20 for members and $23 for guests. To RSVP, visit Women-n-charge.com/meetings/. For information, call (813) 600-9848.

Boss Babe networking
Two Sisters DIY Workshop, 2020 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 4, in Lutz, will host a Boss Babe Network Night on Nov. 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., to give women professionals and entrepreneurs a chance to make connections and referrals. Bring plenty of business cards. Each person attending should bring a product, gift card, or small gift basket (no coupons) to go toward a raffle. Food and beverages will be provided. The group meets the first Tuesday of each month. For information, call (813) 586-3521.

North Tampa Bay Chamber awards celebration
The North Tampa Bay Chamber’s “Celebrating Excellence in Business” awards celebration is planned for Nov. 8 at Hyatt Place Wesley Chapel in the Sierra Conference Center. The event begins with a cocktail hour at 6:30 p.m., and the awards program at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $65 per person or $520 per corporate table of eight. There is a cash bar, and the dress is business or cocktail attire. For more information or to register, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com.

Central Pasco Chamber meeting
Kris Carson of the Florida Department of Transportation will be the featured speaker at the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Nov. 13, at the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Suncoast Parkway, 2155 Northpointe Parkway in Lutz. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m., with lunch and the meeting at noon. The charge is $20, if RSVP is made by Thursday, for members only, and $25 for nonmembers. The fee is $25 at the door. For more information or to RSVP, contact the chamber at (813) 909-2722 or .

East Pasco Networking Group
Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley is scheduled to be the guest speaker at the East Pasco Networking Group meeting on Nov. 13. The group meets at 7:30 a.m., at IHOP in Dade City, 13100 US 301 in Dade City. For more information, call Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491.

North Tampa Bay Chamber luncheon meeting
Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey will be the featured speaker for the North Tampa Bay Chamber’s luncheon meeting Nov. 14 at the Fox Hollow Golf Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity. The event is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $20. Please RSVP and pre-pay, if possible. For more information, call (813) 994-8534, or email the chamber’s office at .

Virtual business conference
SCORE is having a Small Business Success Virtual Conference on Nov. 8 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To find out more, visit the Pasco-Hernando SCORE Chapter 439 website at PascoHernando.score.org.

Celebrating women in business
The National Women’s Business Council celebrated the anniversary of the passage of H.R. 5050, the Women’s Business Ownership Act on Oct. 25. The passage of the legislation was historic, giving women critical resources to build their own enterprises and succeed in their respective fields.

How to start your own business
Learn how to start your own business through this SCORE workshop on Nov. 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel. The seminar provides an introduction and overview of key issues related to starting a business. Issues covered include structuring a business plan, how to manage cash flow and other basics. You can walk away with a checklist intended to help you succeed.

Early voting begins in Pasco, Hillsborough counties

October 24, 2018 By B.C. Manion

Voters will head to the polls on Nov. 6 for the 2018 Mid-Term Elections, but a significant number won’t be waiting until then.

A good portion of voters decide who they want to represent them while filling out their ballots in the comfort of their own living room, and dropping them into the mail.

Early voting has begun for the 2018 Mid-Term Elections. There are various early voting places in Pasco and Hillsborough counties. (File)

Another part of the electorate streams to various polling places, taking advantage of early voting options. Of course, there are also those who prefer the tradition of voting on Election Day itself.

Whatever method they use, those casting ballots have the opportunity to weigh in on races and issues, ranging from who will be Florida’s representatives in Congress, to who will occupy the state’s governor’s mansion, to who will make local decisions affecting everything from job creation, to road congestion, to the quality of local schools.

Pasco and Hillsborough voters also will decide the outcome of 12 constitutional amendments or revisions.

In Pasco, voters also will decide the fate of four general obligation issues to pay for a jail expansion; additional fire protection; enhanced libraries; and, enhanced parks. The bonds would be repaid through increased property taxes.

In Hillsborough, voters will decide the fate of a referendum to raise the local sales tax to support transportation improvements; and, another referendum to raise the local sales tax to support air conditioning and other capital improvements in public schools.

Here’s a recap of key races on the 2018 ballot within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area; a listing of local early polling places; and a reminder of what voters should bring with them to the polls.

Key races

Federal
U.S. Senate: Rick Scott vs. Bill Nelson
U.S. Rep. District 12: Gus Bilirakis vs. Chris Hunter

State
Governor: Ron DeSantis vs. Andrew Gillum
Attorney General: Ashley Moody vs. Sean Shaw
Chief Financial Officer: Jimmy Petronis vs. Jeremy Ring
Commissioner of Agriculture: Matt Caldwell vs. Nicole ‘Nikki’ Fried
State Senate District 20: Kathy Lewis vs. Tom Lee
State Senate District 10: Michael Cottrell vs. Wilton Simpson
State Representative District 37: Tammy Garcia vs. Ardian Zika
State Representative District 38: Danny Burgess vs. David “TK” Hayes
State Representative, District 64: James Grant vs. Jessica Harrington

Local
Pasco

Pasco County Commission
District 2: Mike Moore vs. Kelly Smith
District 4: Mike Wells vs. Brandi Geoit

Pasco School Board
District 5: Megan Harding vs. Tara M. O’Connor

Hillsborough
Hillsborough County Commission
District 5: Victor Crist vs. Mariella Smith
District 7: Todd Marks vs. Kimberly Overman

Hillsborough School Board
District 1
William Henry Person vs. Steve Cona

District 6
Karen Perez vs. Henry “Shake” Washington

Sheriff: Chad Chronister vs. Gary Pruitt

Early Voting Places (located within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area)

Pasco County: Through Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

East Pasco Government Center, Lobby, 14326 Sixth St., Dade City
Alice Hall Community Center, 36116 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel
Florida Hospital Center Ice, 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Wesley Chapel
Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes
Utilities Administration Building, 19420 Central Blvd., Land O’ Lakes

Hillsborough County: Through Nov. 4, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa
Keystone Recreation Center, 17928 Gunn Highway, Odessa
New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd.

What Voters Should Bring
Florida law requires voters to present both signature and photo identification. This can be achieved with one form of identification, such as a Florida driver license or U.S. Passport, or two separate forms of identification, such as a membership card with your photo and second form of identification with your signature. If you don’t bring your ID, you may vote a provisional ballot.

For more information, visit PascoVotes.com and VoteHillsborough.org.

Published October 24, 2018

Efforts continue in quest to help Hurricane Michael victims

October 24, 2018 By B.C. Manion

The death toll continues to climb, as rescuers search for the missing in areas hit hardest by Hurricane Michael.

The monstrous storm slammed into Florida’s Panhandle as a Category 4 hurricane, before making its way across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia, according to CNN reports.

Harmonie Price, a Land O’ Lakes resident, helps with Hurricane Michael relief effort. (Courtesy of Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing)

As residents try to regroup in communities ravaged by winds clocked at up to 155 mph, storm surge and flooding — a groundswell of support has risen from across the nation, including local groups.

In Pasco County, Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, 4608 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes, is among those who have stepped up to help the hurricane victims.

The company emptied out a trailer and began collecting donations, so it could drive the items up to Panama City.

“We reached out to Lutz Elementary, as well as the Central Pasco Chamber who is assisting us in collecting donations,” Jacqueline Horruitiner, the company’s office manager, said via email. “Dade City Transmission is also collecting donations for us,” she added.

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce got involved, too, putting out the word that one of its members, Carlos Saenz with Ballantrae Dairy Queen, would be making a trip to the Panhandle with supplies. The chamber accepted donations, including such items as bleach, trash bags, water, personal hygiene products, nonperishable foods, diapers and feminine products.

The chamber also notified its members of Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing’s collection efforts.

Previously, the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon, the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and Wesley Chapel Nissan stepped up to collect donations and transport them to Port St. Joe, and Pasco County emergency personnel deployed to the hurricane zone to help in Hurricane Michael’s aftermath.

Area Goodwill stores and donation centers continue to accept donations for Hurricane Michael relief from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday, according to a news release from the organization.

Donations also are being accepted at Goodwill donation trailers from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.

Goodwill staff is working on arrangements for when and how donated items, such as bottled water and nonperishable food, will be delivered to help storm victims both at the Fasano shelter and in the Panhandle.

Items such as clothing and household items donated to Goodwill will be sold in its stores, and the proceeds will support Red Cross certificates redeemable in stores that will be given to storm victims, allowing them to select items they want and need.

Goodwill can accept almost anything for this effort, but is focusing on clothing, shoes, towels, linens and other household goods.

For Goodwill donation locations, visit Goodwill.org/donate-and-shop/donate-stuff.

If people would like to make monetary donations to Hurricane Michael relief efforts, visit RedCross.org.

Published October 24, 2018

Medical Center of Trinity seeks new ways to improve care

October 24, 2018 By B.C. Manion

Anyone who has driven along the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor during the past few years can easily see that the landscape is rapidly changing in Pasco County.

Subdivisions and businesses are popping up everywhere, and the need for medical services continues to grow.

Responding to that explosive growth and to evolving patient needs is only part of the equation, though. Keeping up with medical advances, staying abreast of new treatment approaches, equipping hospital staff with leading edge technology and adjusting to changes in government regulation, are other elements in Medical Center of Trinity’s quest to set itself apart for its quality of care, said Leigh Massengill, the hospital’s chief executive officer, during a recent North Tampa Bay Chamber luncheon.

Leigh Massengill, the chief executive officer of Medical Center of Trinity, was the featured speaker at a recent North Tampa Bay Chamber luncheon. She shared news that the hospital will be expanding services and will be adding a medical residency program next year. (B.C. Manion)

“We try to strategize very carefully to meet the needs of the growing community, to identify the things that people are going to need — recognizing that health care is changing at a fast pace while we’re trying to make those decisions,” Massengill said.

For instance, “more and more things are being done on an outpatient basis.

“Whoever thought that you could get your total knee replaced in an ambulatory surgical setting and go home the same day? What next?”

While the main hospital campus is now on State Road 54, the hospital had its start in New Port Richey.

“We celebrated our 40th anniversary of providing health care as Community Hospital of New Port Richey, just shortly before we moved in February of 2012 to this new location,” Massengill said.

The hospital had to retool itself and rethink its approaches, as it shifted from taking care of a group of patients with an average age of 82, to one that serves patients ranging from neonatal care to the senior population.

It was quite a culture shock for the organization, the CEO said, and continues to be an adventure as the hospital contemplates how it will grow with the community.

The hospital executive brings a wealth of experience to the challenge. Her background includes working in hospitals ranging from 150 beds to 1,500 beds in both public and faith-based settings. She began her career as a registered nurse and has held a number of leadership roles in nursing and hospital operations.

The hospital sits on a 55-acre campus and is currently occupying about 24 acres.

Additional services to meet area needs
“Since we moved in, we opened a neonatal intensive care unit, which was the first in Pasco County and is the only still, in Pasco County. That has enabled us to keep mommas, that have high-risk pregnancies, within their hometown.

“Before that, we were consistently referring people down to Pinellas and Hillsborough counties for that higher level of care. We’re now able to retain them closer to home, closer to family, especially, if you have a child that’s going to be in an intensive care unit for three weeks after their birth, invariably, you have two other kids at home and who’s taking care of that while you’re traveling 50 miles down to All Children’s Hospital?

“Two years after opening, the hospital began doing open heart surgery, now completing about 150 open heart surgeries annually.

“We keep getting more minimally invasive, as you know, and just about any type of invasive procedure is getting more and more catheter-based, more and more teeny incisions, or more and more robotic,” Massengill said.

The hospital is part of HCA West Florida, which is part of the HCA Healthcare family, and it has distinguished itself in the HCA system, which includes 180 acute hospitals, Massengill said. The hospital’s surgery/ortho/spine unit was ranked No. 1 within HCA.

She praised the hospital’s staff for the accomplishment, noting the distinction is based on document excellence in a wide range of measures and required substantial work to achieve.

On another front, the hospital has added 14 observation beds, next to the emergency department. That change came in response to new government regulations.

“The government has changed reimbursement. The expectation is, if you show up at a hospital, we have the obligation to determine, as you’re rolling through the door, whether you’re going to require two hospital nights, in order to be considered admitted and an inpatient.

If we’re not certain, we have to keep you in an observation status, do as many diagnostic tests that are necessary to determine whether you’re going to need an inpatient stay, or to stabilize you and have that care continue on an outpatient basis. They give you 24 hours to accomplish that diagnostic testing,” she said.

Current expansion plans on the main campus call for completion of the east side of the fifth floor, and to do the east side of sixth floor for further growth and expansion.

“We continue identifying ways to differentiate ourselves relative to quality,” Massengill said.

The hospital has extended its footprint, to extend its care by adding three freestanding emergency departments, with one in Lutz, Citrus Park and Palm Harbor.

“In those facilities, 95 percent of the patients are treated and released,” she said.

The hospital also plans to add a behavioral health unit for the elderly at the New Port Richey campus.

“We’ve had many physicians come to us, asking us to create this kind of a program,” Massengill said. “We’re looking forward to opening that, once the state gives us the seal of approval.”

The hospital also recently received approval to begin a medical residency program, which will begin in 2019, the hospital leader said.

As it continues to operate in an environment of almost constant change, the hospital remains focused on achieving excellence in staff performance and patient outcomes, Massengill said.

“We know that the consumer of health care is getting more and more savvy, and they shop for excellence before they make the decision,” she said.

Medical Center of Trinity

Opened Feb. 7, 2012
288 all-private rooms on its main campus

2017 figures

Total annual admissions: 16,222
Total annual emergency visits: 77,096
Total patients treated: 119,298
Active physicians: 380
Total employees: 1,482
Taxes paid: $8.1 million
Charity and uncompensated care: $22 million
Salaries, wages and benefits: $113 million

Source: Presentation by Leigh Massengill, Medical Center of Trinity, to members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber

Published October 24, 2018

Business Digest 10/24/2018

October 24, 2018 By B.C. Manion

Economic development talk
The North Tampa Bay Chamber’s Oct. 25 economic briefing will feature Bill Cronin, president/CEO of the Pasco Economic Development Council. The luncheon is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Hunter’s Green Golf & Country Club, 18101 Longwater Run Drive in New Tampa. The cost is $15. Call (813) 994-8534 for more information.

Premier HealthCare hiring event
Premier HealthCare is having a hiring event Oct. 30 from 8 a.m. to noon, at 37912 Church Ave., in Dade City. For more information call (352) 518-2000, or visit PremierHC.org.

Earth Fare is coming to Lutz
Earth Fare, a specialty organic and natural food grocery store, is opening a 24,000-square-foot store at 25535 Sierra Center Blvd., part of Cypress Creek Town Center, according to a news release.

Earth Fare currently operates 10 stores in Florida, including two others in the Tampa area.

Earth Fare’s 1,000 private brand food products are all sourced using only non-GMO ingredients, and new products are being added to the shelves each day, the release says.

Beyond groceries, the new store will also feature Earth Fare’s Heirloom Juice Bar, which features custom-crafted juices, smoothies and fresh coffee. Shoppers will also find a wide variety of clean, natural choices in Earth Fare’s ready-to-go and prepared foods department, including the salad bar, hot foods bar, pizza station, sandwich counter, and packaged meals-on-the-go. Shoppers can enjoy a homemade meal without the work, whether dining in the indoor and outdoor café with free Wi-Fi or taking it home, the release adds.

The new store is expected to open this winter.

To find out more, visit EarthFare.com.

Pasco commissioners seek way to stop panhandlers

October 17, 2018 By B.C. Manion

They already have an ordinance on the books that addresses panhandlers, and another one that addresses trespassing.

But, the Pasco County Commission still hasn’t found an effective way to put a stop to panhandling.

“We have a panhandling ordinance in place. We write a lot of tickets to all of the people that are doing the panhandling. One gentleman has 240 tickets,” Commissioner Jack Mariano said during the commission’s Oct. 9 board meeting.

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano (File)

Pasco County sheriff’s deputies don’t know what else to do, he said.

“They don’t want to take them to jail to fill up the jail. What do you do next?” the commissioner said.

Mariano has an idea.

He wants to try to dissuade people from giving donations to panhandlers.

He wants the county to send a message that “we don’t want you donating to the panhandlers.”

He thinks that would help put a stop to the panhandling problem.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey agrees that there’s a problem. She told her colleagues that she was aware of a panhandler working on one side of a turn-lane on Starkey Boulevard who was cited, so he simply moved to the other side of the road.

“Apparently, it’s site specific when you cite them. I think we have to readdress that ordinance,” Starkey said. She thinks the ordinance should address panhandling that happens anywhere in the county.

Senior Assistant County Attorney Kristi Sims explained the actions the board has taken to date.

“So, when the board enacted its ordinance concerning road solicitation, or panhandling — that is a civil violation and yes, tickets were written,” Sims said. “People would turn the tickets over and use them as another sign, on the backs of their tickets. It was not being paid. It wasn’t particularly effective with some of the panhandlers in the county.

“If you’ll recall, when it started, it (panhandling) was ubiquitous — on almost every corner and growing.

“There was certainly a hard-core population of people who are violating the road solicitation ordinance, so this board went further and implemented a trespass ordinance that allows the sheriff to trespass them off of public property, intersections and yes, that is site specific,” the attorney said.

If that’s not working, Sims suggested two options. One would be to work harder on the trespass option, or two, violation of the ordinance is theoretically punishable by up to 60 days in jail.

“However, we would need to fund and pay for representation for indigent defendants to do that,” she said.

“The only thing left is jail,” Sims said. “I can’t make a certain segment of panhandlers care that they’ve received a citation.”

Mariano thinks the county should warn people who are giving to panhandlers that they should stop doing so.

“I think when someone gets a couple of warnings, they’re going to stop. When the panhandlers see that these people are being warned not to donate, I think we can deter it that way.

“Because obviously, what we’re doing is not working. We need some type of change. I think this is something, that this would be a very positive move to try to diminish what’s happening out there,” Mariano said.

Commission Chairman Mike Wells Jr., said he favors taking action to reduce panhandling because he worries about the safety of people who are seeking donations.

Mariano suggested having a workshop to discuss updating the ordinance, and commissioners asked County Administrator Dan Biles to put together a list of the county’s priorities so they can discuss during their next meeting when they might want to set up that workshop.

Biles agreed to bring back that list.

Published October 17, 2018

110-foot observation tower in Dade City gains approval

October 17, 2018 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Commission has cleared the way for a 110-foot observation tower to be erected on a property off St. Joe Road in Dade City.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a conditional use request, submitted by Terry D. and Mary McKnight.

The application received a recommendation for approval by the Pasco County Commission, on a 3-2 vote, and a recommendation for denial by the county planning staff.

The staff said the proposed tower is not in keeping with the character of the area, but a majority of planning commissioner said it could be approved, along with a lengthy list of conditions.

The County Commission agreed with the Planning Commission’s recommendation.

Some area property owners objected to the tower. They claimed it is not a compatible use and could pose an invasion of privacy.

Terry McKnight, of 36210 St. Joe Road, told county commissioners that just five of the 19 neighbors receiving notice of the request had objected to his proposal.

“Nobody, that is not on our land, would be able to see all of the tower,” McKnight said.

Plus, he added, “relatively few people would be able to see the tower, at all.”

Those who would be able to see it — at most would be able to see about 50 feet of it, he said.

“But, they’ll be seeing it at some distance,” he said, and would be seeing the cabin, which is about 7 feet by 7 feet.

McKnight also showed commissioners some photographs taken by a drone at the exact spot where the observation platform would be.

Those photos essentially showed treetops, a lake and the sky.

“As you can see, the homes won’t even be visible from the tower, if it were to be erected,” McKnight said.

But, Stephen Futch, whose family owns property next to the McKnights, submitted a letter outlining 11 points of opposition.

“My great-grandfather was a county commissioner when this courthouse was built. So we have a long legacy in Dade City. That goes back 109 years ago,” Futch said, noting his mother used to live on the property, which is now part of an estate.

“Would you want to have a 110-foot tower next to your property?” he asked commissioners.

Another nearby resident, Doug Stentz, of 36125 Lynan Farms Drive, across the lake from the proposed tower, said he’s worried that the request could set a precedent.

“We don’t want a lot of towers around our lake,” Stentz said.

Two others spoke in support of the McKnights’ request.

Charles Waller, of 38038 Americana Ave., in Dade City, said he has an ownership interest in some nearby property, and he and his partners have no objections to the observation tower.

He noted that the McKnights’ property already has some unique features.

“This property has an iron fence along the front of it. That fence that came from a public housing project, over in Tampa.

“The bricks in the columns came from Sunken Gardens in St. Pete.

“There’s a beautiful fireplace out back that came from the stone in the Old City Hall here in Dade City,” Waller said.

He also noted that McKnight “has a vital interest in the Boy Scouts. He thinks that this will be an educational situation for them, and I certainly agree.

“These fire towers, which have been such an important part of our life here in Florida, are being decommissioned at a steady rate, and to have this one preserved here, I think is going to be an asset for us.

“It’s not going to harm any person. It will be a good thing for the community,” Waller said.

A room with a view
Margaret Woods, of 36332 St. Joe Road, said, “I’m the third property east of the McKnights.”

She noted that out of those notified about the McKnights’ request, just five objected.

“The rest of us have not objected,” Woods said. “Most of the neighbors that I talked to thought it was kind of a cool idea. We were excited about it from the very beginning.

“When you’re in the national forest and you see a fire tower in the forest, is it a blight upon the scenery in the forest? No, it isn’t.

“Certainly from the drone pictures you can see, there’s no privacy issue. Nobody is going to have anybody looking through their windows because of the tree canopy.

“I don’t see it as posing a danger for anyone. I don’t see it posing a privacy issue for anyone.

“And, I really don’t see that it ruins the view,” Woods said.

Commissioner Ron Oakley made a motion to approve the request.

“I don’t find that it’s going to be an eyesore,” Oakley said. “You’re going to be looking across a beautiful area of Pasco County, which is right here in East Pasco, which is pretty remarkable in itself, with our hills and trees.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said “My first thought on this was, ‘It’s very odd.’”

But, she added, “I’d probably want to stop by and climb it.”

“If you didn’t have the canopy and you could look down on everybody’s yards, that would be a little creepy, but I think you’ve got a good canopy. And, quite frankly, anybody could fly a drone these days and see much more than they should.

“I think the conditions are good conditions,” Starkey said.

Published October 17, 2018

Emerging commercial markets in Pasco County

October 17, 2018 By B.C. Manion

It doesn’t take a master’s degree in economics to see that Pasco County’s commercial real estate market is going strong.

Take a drive down the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor, and you’ll see new developments popping up, and for sale property signs planted everywhere.

As spaces along that corridor become too expensive or less available, more activity is expected along U.S. 41 and Wesley Chapel Boulevard, and U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills near the end-point of the State Road 56 extension, predicts Jim Engelmann, a broker with Commercial Partners Realty Inc., who will be moderating a fall forum on commercial real estate in Wesley Chapel on Oct. 18.

Jim Engelmann, a commercial real estate broker, will be the moderator at a commercial fall forum on Oct. 18 in Wesley Chapel. (B.C. Manion)

“It’s a really good time to lock in in Zephyrhills right now,” Engelmann said, because the prices will increase once the State Road 56 extension is done.

“It’s a fantastic time to buy right now.”

“There’s not a lot of high-quality office space available in Zephyrhills right now. There is some, but there’s not a lot.

“What’s going to happen is that slowly, people are going to buy and either remodel, or they’re going to buy, demolish and rebuild.

“They’ll start to put up better quality over there, but that’s 10 years down the road.”

“The challenge we’re starting to see along (U.S.) 41 now is that the property that’s available doesn’t match up with what the users can pay, in a lot of cases,” he said.

“What you see right now is a lot of owners who are not willing to develop the property. It’s just a piece of bumpy, flat land,” he added.

Engelmann also noted that Pasco County has been taking steps to attract more commercial development.

“Pasco is doing some really good things to bring business into the county. They’re doing incentives,” said Engelmann, who is president-elect of the Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes and a board member on the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

Pasco County waives mobility fees for some target industries and offers loan forgiveness for projects meeting specific criteria, he said.

Engelmann also noted that Wesley Chapel continues to be a hot market.

Wiregrass Ranch continues to attract interest, Engelmann said, praising the approach the Porter family has used to promote quality growth.

“It’s incredible what they’re doing out there,” he said. “They’re being smart about what they’re doing.”

Looking to lease commercial space?
Jim Engelmann, a commercial real estate broker, said these are some things you should keep in mind:

Know what the rent includes.

Who pays for janitorial services? Who pays for water and sewer?

Who maintains the air conditioning and heating?

“If you are responsible for the air conditioning, you need to find out: Do you have service records on the air conditioning?

“Have you had a bi-annual inspection and upkeep? If they haven’t, I would push back on that, as a renter.

“You have to protect yourself as a tenant, to make sure the property has been maintained adequately.

Before leasing, talk to other tenants.

“A lot of people won’t do that. They don’t want to bother anybody.

“You know what? Every tenant wants to tell their story. If you go ask somebody, ‘How do you like it here?’

“They will tell you whether or not they like it. They’ll tell you the five or six things you need to be aware of, with that landlord.

“People who have already experienced those things that go wrong, let them tell you what went wrong.”

Be sure the property meets your needs.

“If you have an office and people come to you, you’re a destination for them, it doesn’t matter what the traffic is like. But, if you are a retail user looking for drive-by traffic, you’ve got to know what the traffic counts are out on the street in front.

“Go sit there during the day. See what type of traffic flow there is.”

Have your attorney check out the lease.

“Every single lease is completely different. I’ve seen two-page tenant leases; I have seen 40-page tenant leases for the exact same type of property.”

Remember, everything is negotiable.

“There is nothing in a lease that is not negotiable. Every term, as far as payments, security deposit, when you pay, how much your share of something might be. Everything is negotiable.”

Also, don’t rule out a space, even if it seems too pricey.

“A lot of times people will look at a price of something listed online, and they’ll see that it’s $37 a square foot, (and they’ll think) ‘Yeah, but you know I can only afford $32, so I’m not going to bother calling.’

“You know what? If it’s been on the market six months, eight months, a year, they’re going to talk to you.

“It’s always worth the phone call.”

Commercial Fall Forum
Where: Hilton Garden Inn in Wesley Chapel, 26640 Silver Maple Parkway
When: Oct. 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: $20 for members of Central Pasco Association of Realtors; $25 for others (fee includes lunch)
Details: This forum features a variety of topics related to commercial real estate and will include several speakers.
Info: (813) 948-6966

Published October 17, 2018

Political Agenda 10/17/2018

October 17, 2018 By B.C. Manion

Trinity Democrats
The Trinity Democratic Club’s Oct. 24 meeting will feature Jeremy Ring, the Democratic candidate running for Florida’s Chief Financial Officer. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m., at Fox Hollow Golf Club, at 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity. Doors open at 5 p.m., for dinner and happy hour (self-pay) with food and beverages available for purchase throughout the meeting. For more information, call (415) 609-3633 or email .

Republic Club of Central Pasco
The Oct. 29 meeting of the Republican Club of Central Pasco will feature Congressman Gus Bilirakis, who is running for re-election in the U.S. House of Representatives, Florida’s 12th congressional district. The meeting is open to the public. The club meets at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd, in Land O’ Lakes. The social begins at 6:30 p.m., with the business meeting beginning at 7 p.m. For more information, call (813) 996-3011.

Endorsement
Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning has endorsed Gus Bilirakis, who is seeking re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, in Florida’s 12^th congressional district, according to a news release from Bilirakis’ campaign.

Business Digest 10/17/2018

October 17, 2018 By B.C. Manion

MOD Pizza opens
BBX Capital, the exclusive MOD Pizza franchisee in Florida, opened on Oct. 9 at 2277 Sun Vista Drive, in the Cypress Creek Town Center. The 2,800-square-foot restaurant is in front of Tampa Premium Outlets, in Lutz. The restaurant defines itself as “a leader in the fast, casual pizza category,” according to a news release.

The first MOD Pizza franchise in Florida opened on Oct. 9 in the Cypress Creek Town Center. (Courtesy of Kip Hunter Marketing)

Customers create their own pizzas and salads, using a combination of more than 30 featured toppings, the release says. The price is the same, regardless of the number of toppings, and salads are individually hand-tossed for each customer.

The restaurant expects to have about 30 employees.

During the grand opening, the first 52 guests to arrive were treated to a free pizza. They also had a chance to meet pro football player Mike Evans and his wife Ashli. All of the proceeds from pizza sales on opening day were donated to The Mike Evans Family Foundation.

Commercial Fall Forum
This forum features a variety of topics related to commercial real estate and will include several speakers. The event is on Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn in Wesley Chapel, 26640 Silver Maple Parkway. The cost is $20 for members of the Central Pasco Association of Realtors and $25 for others. The event fee includes lunch. For information, call (813) 948-6966.

Two-part financial series
Learn simple monthly budgeting, how to reduce debt and increase saving in this two-part financial series on Oct. 19 and Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The courses will be at CREATION Health & Wellness, 38233 Daughtery Road in Zephyrhills. Reservations are required by calling (813) 779-6476.

Pasco EDC CEO Roundtable
The Pasco Economic Development Council is presenting a CEO Roundtable event on Oct. 23 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Big Storm Brewing Company, 2330 Success Drive in Odessa. Cost is $15 for members and $25 for non-members. For more information, call (888) 607-2726. Go to the events calendar on PascoEDC.com, and click on this event, to register.

East Pasco Networking Group
Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield will be the featured speaker at the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast meeting Oct. 23, starting at 7:30 p.m. The group meets at IHOP Dade City, at 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City. For more information, contact Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491 or .

Succeeding in business: From theory to practice
A session is planned on Oct. 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Dade City Entrepreneur Center, 37837 Meridian Ave., No. 309, in Dade City. This is a first in a series of eight free sessions. Others will cover marketing, and aligning your aim at helping companies make smart decisions about their financial future. Representatives from BB&T will address such issues as personal banking, cash flow, borrowing solutions, insurance, employees and more. The seminar will be on the company’s core, identifying customers, taking the guesswork out of leasing, human resources, legal issues and planning. RSVP for the banking session at SmartStartPasco.com/events.

Zephyrhills Economic Summit
The second annual Zephyrhills Economic Summit is set for Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at New City Hall, 5335 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills. The program includes these topics: The City of Zephyrhills: Ready for Growth; State and local representatives: Education; Local: Zephyrhills High School Career Academies; and, Hear it first: Business BizWalk Results. The event costs $10. RSVP by calling (813) 782-1913.