The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Kathy Steele

Business Digest 04/12/2017

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Self-driving buses coming to Hillsborough County
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis touted the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit system, or HART, at a recent hearing of the Communications and Technology subcommittee.

The transit service soon will begin operating a “first-of-its-kind” autonomous public bus system with wireless 5G capabilities.

The commuter shuttle will run in downtown Tampa. HART received about $1 million from the Florida Department of Transportation to test and get the service started.

Bilirakis is a member of the subcommittee, which is considering legislation to promote broadband and wireless technology. The hearing’s topic was “Fueling the 21st Century Wireless Economy.”

“I’m immensely proud that Hillsborough County, part of my district and part of our Tampa Bay community, is leading the charge to bring innovative technology to the public transportation sector,” said Bilirakis, in a press release issued by his office regarding the hearing.

The 5G is the fifth generation, and the next mobile wireless standard, anticipated by 2020. Most mobile phones now operate on 3G or 4G LTE.

Bilirakis also discussed the benefits of wireless for health care and tele-health technology. Nearly 24 percent of his constituents, which include Pasco County residents, are seniors, he said.

Health care providers can use advanced tele-health technology to evaluate and treat seniors and disabled patients remotely from the comfort of their homes, Bilirakis added.

North Tampa meeting
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will have a general meeting April 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Iavarone’s Steakhouse & Italian Grill, 3627 Humphrey St., in Tampa.

The guest speaker is Jeff Ruby, founder and president of RedRock Leadership.

The cost is $25 (whether you eat or not), payable at the door by cash, check or credit card.

For information, call the chamber office at (813) 563-0180, or visit NorthTampaChamber.com.

Chamber mixer
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly mixer April 13 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Happy Feet Plus, at 1051 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Members and guests are welcome to enjoy an evening of fun, food and networking.

For information, call (813) 994-8534, or email .

Hispanic leaders lunch
The Hispanic Business Leaders of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will host a Hispanic Business Leaders Luncheon, open to all chamber members and guests, April 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

The cost is $20 for chamber members at the door, or $15, if pre-registered by April 13. For non-members, the cost is $20, if pre-registered or at the door.

For information, email Ignacio Ruiz at .

Axiom Bank ribbon cutting
Axiom Bank will have a ribbon cutting April 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 19910 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in New Tampa.

The event is free.

For information, email Jim Roth at .

Chamber honors citizens
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will recognize student citizens at its Chamber Citizen of the Month breakfast April 19 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at The Church at Chancey Road, at 34921 Chancey Road, Zephyrhills.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 782-1913, or email .

Kaji Harmonies Therapies opens
Kaji Harmonies Therapies will have a ribbon cutting April 19 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 2748 Windguard Circle, Suite 102, in Wesley Chapel.

Kaji is a Japanese term which translates to “the flow of healing energy,” according to the company website.

Services offered include Integrated Massage and holistic, Japanese techniques that generate relaxation and reduce stress.

The event is free.

For information, call The Greater Wesley Chamber of Commerce at (813) 994-8534, or email .

Export conference
The Pasco Economic Development Council will host Growing Global 2017-International Exporting Conference April 19 from 8 a.m. to noon, at the Anclote East Room of the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Suncoast Parkway, at 2155 Northpointe Parkway in Lutz.

The half-day conference will focus on strategies, tactics and resources for growing businesses by exporting goods and services. Panel discussions will cover topics such as shipping and logistics and “Tampa Bay’s Home Team-Going Global Case Studies.”

Vendor exhibitors will include the Small Business Development Center, Florida Department of Transportation, UPS, and U.S. Commercial Services.

The keynote speaker will be Ruben Ramos Arrieta, minister counselor for the economic and trade office embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Washington D.C.

The cost is $20.

Registration deadline is 5 p.m., on April 14.

For information, call Devon Barnett at the PEDC at (813) 926-0827, ext. 227, toll free at (888) 607-2726, or email .

Lunch n Learn
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will host a Lunch n Learn luncheon April 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Don Porter boardroom at the chamber’s office, at 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 105, in Wesley Chapel.

KMACC Solutions’ representatives will discuss “Emotional Intelligence (EQ): The Critical Link to Success in Business.”

The cost is $15, including lunch. Space is limited so pre-registration is recommended.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534, or email .

Expo offers summer camp lowdown

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The season of summer camps is just around the corner.

That means parents are facing a daunting task of sifting through dozens of options to settle on the summer camps that work best for them and their children.

This year, Family-Friendly Tampa Bay is launching its first Family-Friendly Camp Expo on April 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free event will be at Florida Hospital Center Ice, at 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Families attending the Florida-Friendly Camp Expo on April 8 will have a chance to explore Florida Hospital Center Ice, which opened in January. Expo attendees will receive a ‘Buy One Get One’ free skate offer from Florida Hospital Center Ice.
(File)

The complex is visible from Interstate 75, at the interchange for State Road 56, east of the Tampa Premium Outlets.

Families can meet one-on-one with Tampa Bay camp directors and staff members.

Event-goers will have the chance to review a range of choices, including sports camps, day camps, STEM camps, special needs/autism camps, art camps, performing arts and academic camps.

“I realized there wasn’t anything like this in Pasco,” said Miriam Cook, a Pasco County parent who founded Family-Friendly Tampa Bay in 2014.

The website, at FamilyFriendlyTampaBay.com, provides current information on affordable events, discount coupons and special deals for area families.

The first 250 families at the expo will receive goody bags.

Attendees also will get a printed list of available summer camps. This list will include expo participants, as well as summer camps that are unable to send staff members to the expo, Cook said.

The Easter Bunny also will hop through the expo, giving away candy and posing for free pictures.

Families get the added bonus of exploring the new Florida Hospital Center Ice. The complex, which opened in January, is the largest hockey complex in the southeast.

Expo attendees will receive a “Buy One Get One” free skate offer from Florida Hospital Center Ice.

In addition, there will be educational workshops, a parent-pamper section, health and wellness resources, live entertainment, a kids’ fun zone, and mini-sports clinics. Families can also enter to win free weeks of camp when they register online.

The hunt for summer camps is a yearly ritual that isn’t easy to decipher, Cook said. “It’s so hard. There’s so many.”

But, when parents can meet with the people who run the camps and ask questions, they can find the right fit for their children and their budgets, Cook said.

Where: Florida Hospital Center Ice
When: April 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
Details: Parents can learn about a myriad of summer camp options to help them sort out summer plans for their kids.
Info: FamilyFriendlyTampaBay.com

Published April 5, 2017

Could homestead exemption be $75,000?

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A proposed constitutional amendment to increase homestead exemptions to $75,000 could be a boon for homeowners, but a bust for local governments that stand to lose millions in property tax revenues.

State Sen. Tom Lee

If approved, homeowners potentially could add another $25,000, excluding school taxes, to the current $50,000 homestead exemption.

At least 60 percent of voters statewide would have to approve the increase in a 2018 referendum.

The Senate Community Affairs Committee, headed by State Sen. Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa, recently approved the amendment. Senate subcommittees also must weigh in. A similar amendment proposal is anticipated in the Florida House of Representatives.

Estimates peg the loss to Pasco County’s revenues at nearly $1.4 million annually. More than 60,000 parcels would be removed from the tax rolls, said Ralph Lair, Pasco County’s government affairs officer.

“It’s nice to give people the exemption, but how far do you want to go?” Lair said.

The proposal to increase the homestead exemption was one of the issues that Lair covered, as he gave an update on 2017 legislative issues to the Pasco County Commission at its March 28 meeting.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey

Lair said the revenue losses in some small counties could be so severe that “they’re not going to have a budget to work with.”

Counties, including Pasco, already are struggling to find revenues to pay for basic services, said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

“Instead of trying to keep our parks and libraries open, we’ll be shuttering them,” Starkey said.

The Florida League of Cities and the Florida Association of Counties oppose the increase.

Legislators also are considering a bill that would stop local governments from approving new regulations for businesses, professionals and occupations, Lair said. Any regulations passed after Jan. 1 would be null and void.

If approved, the new law would affect local control of licenses issued to such establishments as liquor stores and bingo halls.
Lair said the bill is broadly written and counties also could lose the ability generally to approve ordinances that impose fees.

Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore said there was push-back on that bill. He didn’t anticipate it being approved.

Another bill is backed by utility companies that want to place cell towers of 60 feet or shorter in rights of way without consulting with local governments first.

“AT&T is pushing this,” Lair said. “If they see they can get this, they’ll go further.”

State Rep. Richard Corcoran of Land O’ Lakes, who is the Speaker of the House, is pushing a House bill to phase out community redevelopment agencies, or CRAs.

If approved, the bill would eliminate all existing agencies on their current expiration date or by Sept. 30, 2037, whichever is earlier.

Meanwhile, no new community redevelopment agencies would be permitted after July 1. Also, existing agencies would be barred from starting any new projects or programs effective Oct. 1.

A similar Senate bill also is in play. Both bills also include ethics training for “commissioners” of CRAs.

Community redevelopment areas are established as special tax districts. Oversight is provided by a redevelopment agency, whose members often are chosen from elected officials within the district.

Each year a portion of property tax revenues collected by counties is reinvested into community projects within those districts. There are rules and limitations on how the money can be spent, but generally the purpose is to end blight and poverty.

The tough stance on CRAs appears to have started with long-standing accusations of mismanagement of the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency in Miami-Dade County. But, the proposed legislation would cover all CRAs in the state.

Zephyrhills, Dade City, New Port Richey and Port Richey all have CRAs.

At their March 28 meeting, county commissioners had concerns about overly broad interpretations of how CRA money can be spent. Their focus was on what they deemed questionable expenditures within CRAs in New Port Richey and Port Richey.

Pasco is seeking to schedule workshops in the future to discuss the matter.

No one from the CRAs was in attendance to respond.

The legislature concludes on May 5, with a budget that then goes to Gov. Rick Scott and his veto pen.

Published April 5, 2017

Roadwork underway at U.S. 41 and Leonard Road

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A history of crashes, including two fatalities in 2016, is prompting changes to a median on U.S. 41, at Leonard Road.

The Florida Department of Transportation will close the existing full median opening and replace it with a directional median opening.

The median modification project is scheduled for completion by the end of April, according to FDOT representatives.

The Florida Department of Transportation is replacing a full median opening with a directional opening at U.S. 41 and Leonard Road in response to crashes, and two traffic fatalities in 2016.
(Kathy Steele)

Motorists heading east on Leonard Road no longer will be able to turn left onto U.S. 41.

Motorists traveling north on U.S. 41, however, will be able to make a left turn at Leonard Road.

During the project, there will be intermittent lane closures from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The state transportation department’s data shows an increase in angle crashes, from three in 2013 to five in 2015 and five in 2016. Some accidents resulted in minor injuries, but in 2013 two serious injury accidents occurred.

Angle crashes occur when drivers leave the lane they are in and collide with another vehicle or roadside obstruction.

In April 2016, a motorcyclist died in a collision with an SUV. The driver of the SUV drove east on Leonard Road. There is a stop sign at Leonard where it meets U.S. 41 at a “T” intersection. The SUV driver turned north onto U.S. 41 from Leonard and into the path of the motorcyclist that was traveling down the highway, according to media reports.

Published April 5, 2017

Contract approved for Pasco’s new administrator

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Pasco County commissioners signed off on a contract to hire Dan Biles as the next Pasco County administrator, with an annual salary of $220,000.

County commissioners agreed to hire him on March 14, when he competed against four other candidates at a special public meeting in New Port Richey.

On March 28, commissioners made Biles’ hiring official by approving his contract.

Biles is scheduled to begin his new duties on May 1. However, his three-year contract also requires that he spend a few days in Pasco County before then, to take part in budget discussions with county staff for fiscal year 2018.

Dan Biles, deputy county manager in Jefferson County, Alabama, will be the new Pasco County administrator. He was among five candidates interviewed for the job on March 14.
(Courtesy of Pasco County)

Biles is leaving his job as deputy county manager in Jefferson County, Alabama, to step into a position being vacated by Pasco County Administrator Michele Baker.

Baker opted to retire after four years, and not seek a contract renewal.

There will be some overlap of time between Baker’s departure and Biles’ arrival. Baker’s contract ends in mid-July.

“I think we’re extremely fortunate to have such a strong county administrator coming here,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore. “He is very impressive. He’s going to help us take Pasco to new heights.”

In addition to his annual salary, Biles’ contract includes benefits for a total package of about $278,000.

The county will pay $10,000 in moving expenses and up to $2,000 for temporary housing.

Biles also will receive an automobile allowance of $450 a month, term life insurance of $100,000, and retirement benefits.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley wants the county to schedule meet-and-greets with Biles, on the east and west sides of the county.

When county commissioners interviewed potential candidates, they anticipated two days of interviews.

But, Biles scored so well on the first day, they opted to immediately offer him the job.

“I think he’s the right fit for us,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

Biles holds two civil engineering degrees from Texas A & M University.

He is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and also commanded three Air National Guard units.

His work experience includes engineering positions in the private as well as public sector in Texas and Washington State.

He was hired in 2014 as the first deputy county manager of Jefferson County, Alabama, which was newly formed.

Previously, he worked for four years in Corpus Christi, Texas, as director of engineering services and executive director of public works.

He also worked for private engineering companies in Washington State including Maverick Engineering Inc., and SBI Developing LLC.

As Jefferson County’s deputy county manager, Biles led the County Infrastructure Group, which included environmental services, roads and transportation, general services, land planning, inspection services and stormwater.

According to his resume, he developed a litter collection program that removed more than 100 tons of litter in its first four months.

Biles also coordinated road improvement plans in partnership with local cities and state transportation officials. And, he led a customer service improvement initiative in permitting. The Greater Birmingham Home Builders Association praised his efforts, his resume states.

Though Baker is slated to end her tenure with the county, Starkey suggested another option. She would like Baker to stay on and help shepherd the county’s longstanding request for a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to extend Ridge Road. The road is a high priority for the county as an east-west emergency route. Environmental groups are opposed.

“No one can speak to this effort as well as our Michele Baker,” said Starkey. “I don’t know what that (job) would look like and if she wants to do that.”

Baker didn’t respond, and Moore said discussions on meet-and-greets and Baker’s status should wait until Biles arrival.

Published April 5, 2017

Business Digest 04/05/4017

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Shoe Carnival opening
Shoe Carnival will open April 7 in the Village Lakes Shopping Center in Land O’ Lakes, with a grand opening scheduled sometime in mid-May, according to company representatives. Previously, the opening had been announced for an earlier date.

The new shoe shop, off State Road 54, will be located in a suite next door to Ross Dress for Less.

Other Shoe Carnival stores in the region operate in Tampa, Bradenton, Brandon, Largo, St. Petersburg and Spring Hill.

Netfest set for April 6
Pasco Economic Development Council will host the 15th Annual Netfest April 6 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Starkey Ranch, at 2500 Heart Pine Ave., in Odessa.

The annual western-themed mixer is a night of food, drink, music and networking. Dress is casual. Hats and boots are proper attire.

The cost for Netfest general registration is $45 per person; $35 for Pasco EDC investors and guests; and $25 for Pasco County staff members.

Registration includes barbecue buffet and two drink tickets.

For information, call (813) 926-0827, ext. 226.

Popeye’s ribbon cutting
Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen will have a ribbon cutting April 7 from 10 a.m. to noon, at 28014 Wesley Chapel Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

The fast-food restaurant offers a “New Orleans” style menu of spicy and mild chicken, chicken tenders, fried shrimp, and red beans and rice.

The event is free.

For information, call (813) 562-1255.

Women-n-Charge
Join the ladies of Women-n-Charge on April 7 from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa. The women share their talents and resources, and they build relationships with other women in business.

The guest speaker is Carol Goebel of Trail Wind Travel. She is an accredited cruise counselor who will talk about “Ways to Maximize your Vacations and Time Off.”

The cost is $15 for members and $18 for non-members.

To register, visit Women-n-charge.com.

For information, call (813) 600-9848, or email .

Grand reopening
Bon Worth is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a grand reopening and ribbon cutting April 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at Merchant Square, at 7409 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. The celebration will include gift card drawings and special deals.

For information, call (813) 715-0057.

Ribbon cutting
Pasco’s Masonry & Landscaping Depot will have a ribbon cutting April 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 10301 U.S. 301, in Dade City.

The event is free.

For information, call (352) 437-4408.

General membership meeting
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have a membership meeting April 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Harbor Terrace Restaurant, at 19502 Heritage Harbor Parkway in Lutz.

Guest speaker is Jeff Lucas of The Law Offices of Lucas/Magazine. His topic will be “Neglected Infrastructure as it Relates to our Court System.”

Members and guests are welcome.

The cost for members only is $20 if you RSVP by April 6, or $25 at the door for members and non-members.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 909-2722, or email .

Business seminar
Pasco-Hernando SCORE Chapter 439 will host a free seminar on “Marketing to Grow Your Business” April 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, at 2816 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.

The seminar will provide tips on what works and what doesn’t work, what information is needed to write a sales and marketing plan, how to profile your customers, how to determine the best type of advertising and/or promotions, what you can learn from competitors and how to analyze your program’s effectiveness.

For information, email , or visit PascoHernando.score.org.

Business Link breakfast
Business Link will have its monthly breakfast April 12 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Saint Leo University, at 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

The monthly gathering, held at various locations, provides networking and an information-sharing platform for the small business community.

A complimentary breakfast will be provided. The event is sponsored by the San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union.

RSVP to Rebecca Gaddis at (352) 588-2732, ext. 1237.

 

Mixed-use project planned off Suncoast Parkway

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Not everything written on paper works out as originally planned.

Years ago, Pasco County commissioners envisioned a business-oriented development on more than 700 acres at the northwest corner of State Road 54 and the Suncoast Parkway.

But, developers weren’t keen on investing in the county’s “employment center” concept.

A large swath of pastureland, west of Suncoast Crossings shopping center, could become a mixed-use development.
(Kathy Steele)

Now, a land use amendment and rezoning have cleared the way for a mixture of residential and neighborhood retail uses. There also will be about 800,000 square feet, on about 15 acres, set aside for offices or light industrial uses.

In addition, 900 single-family detached houses; 300 single-family attached houses; 440,000 square feet of commercial, and 400 hotel rooms can be built.

The Pasco County Commission unanimously approved the new approach at its Feb. 7 meeting. A follow-up vote will be required when additional details for the project are provided.

The land is owned by the Behnke family. DR Horton and BRS Industries are partnering in the site’s development.

The original intent of the county’s land use plan simply didn’t work, said land use attorney Clarke Hobby, who represents home builder DR Horton.

To fulfill the county’s job creation goals for an employment center, for instance, would require about 4,400 apartments for the anticipated workforce. At the same time, the plans for the site didn’t allow single-family homes.

“That’s too many apartments,” Hobby said. “It’s not good planning. You start talking about Suitcase City over time.”

Suitcase City is a name sometimes used to describe an impoverished area near the University of South Florida in Tampa.

Also, the county’s initial plan overloaded the site with potential set-asides of nearly 35 million square feet for office and industrial uses. In comparison, Hobby said the Westshore business district in Tampa has about 12 million square feet over a larger area.

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano said he was reluctant to give up office space for more residential. “We do need jobs,” he said.

In the end, he did cast his vote in favor.

“I love the project,” Mariano said. “I just hate to give up all the acreage we’re giving up to go forward.”

Published March 29, 2017

CubeSmart to open self-storage facility in Lutz

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Construction workers are in the early stages of building CubeSmart, a self-storage facility located on an outparcel outside of the Walmart Super Center in Lutz.

The storage facility is among new retail additions popping up on the open landscape along the apex, where North Dale Mabry Highway and U.S. 41 merge.

CubeSmart representatives couldn’t be reached for comment.

The economic downturn in 2008 held developers at bay, but they are taking a new look at the outparcels.

For years, Walmart stood out as the lone retail sentry.

But, Pasco County commissioners in October approved changes to a master plan for developing the entire site, which includes several outparcels.

The approval from county commissioners added about 60,000 square feet of retail and 12,000 square feet of office. About 50,000 square feet set aside previously for office is available for uses such as retail or a hotel.

In 2015, Famous Tate of New Tampa Inc., bought about 1.5 acres for its third Famous Tate store in Pasco County. Construction is nearly complete. Like CubeSmart, Famous Tate will front U.S. 41 on the eastern side of the Walmart apex.

Last year, the Nashville-based New Port Richey Hospital Inc., a subsidiary of HCA Holdings Inc., bought a 1.6-acre lot on the western side of the apex, fronting Dale Mabry and adjacent to the County Line shopping plaza. The sale was brokered by The Land Sharks LLC.

Construction on an approximately 10,800-square-foot emergency health facility is in early stages.

Florida Department of Transportation plans to install a traffic signal and turn lane at the entrance into the Walmart site, off Dale Mabry Highway.

Additional outparcels outside Walmart remain available for development.

Published March 29, 2017

Shoe Carnival steps into Land O’ Lakes

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Shoe Carnival will host a grand opening in the Village Lakes Shopping Center on April 1, real estate officials with the shoe company have announced.

That’s no April Fool’s Day joke.

The store is planning a soft opening a few days before, on March 27.

The new shoe shop will be located in a suite next door to Ross Dress for Less.

Shoe Carnival is planning a grand opening in a storefront next to Ross Dress for Less, at the Village Lakes Shopping Center in Land O’ Lakes.
(Kathy Steele)

Construction workers are busy getting the approximately 7,800-square-foot store ready for its debut.

Village Lakes Shopping Center opened in the 1980s.

Former occupants in the center included Walmart and Sweetbay Supermarket, which formerly was Kash n Karry.

Center tenants now include Ross Dress for Less, Marshalls, You Fit Health Club, Dollar Tree and Beef O’ Brady’s.

The national chain shoe store conducts research to determine locations, largely zeroing in on “underserved” markets, said Jeff Fink, vice president of Shoe Carnival’s real estate department.

“We liked the shopping center, and we liked the community,” Fink said.

Other Shoe Carnival stores in the region operate in Tampa, Bradenton, Brandon, Largo, St. Petersburg and Spring Hill.

Published March 29, 2017

Business Digest 03/29/2017

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Green industry training
The University of Florida and IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension Service will host a Green Industry Best Management Practices training session March 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, at 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

The program is designed for landscape professionals who apply pesticides and fertilizers commercially.

Preregistration and prepayment are required and can be completed online at tinyurl.com/kfy4pug. Click on “March” and scroll to 3/29/17 Green Industry Best Management Practices Training – GI-BMP ticket link.

The cost for training and lunch is $30 for green industry professionals. All participants must have a photo ID and a prepaid ticket for admission. No refunds allowed.

For information, call (352) 518-0156.

Ribbon cutting
Edward Jones Investments will have a ribbon cutting March 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 18932 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., in Lutz.

For information, email the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce at .

Power networking
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce March 2017 Power Luncheon will be on March 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at John Knox Village, at 4100 E. Fletcher Ave., in Tampa.

Lunch will be served in the Crystal Dining Room.

The cost is $20 for lunch, if registered online by March 21, and $25 at the door. Walk-ins will be served from a limited menu.

For information, call (813) 563-0180, email , or visit NorthTampaChamber.com.

Job expo
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will have a Job Expo April 5 from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Wesley Chapel High School, at 30651 Wells Road, in Wesley Chapel.

Companies have an opportunity to position themselves in front of qualified job seekers. Must have a minimum of two jobs available.

Vendors will be provided with 6-feet of table space, complimentary water and snacks. Set up is at 1:30 p.m.

The expo is free to chamber members; $50 for non-members.

For information, contact the chamber at (813) 994-8534 or .

Networking breakfast
The Wednesday Morning Network Group will meet April 5 at 7:30 a.m., at Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que, at 3116 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. Each attendee will be able to present a 30-second pitch. The cost for members only is $7, if preregistered by March 30. Thereafter, the cost is $10 for members and non-members at the door.

The Law Offices of Lucas/Magazine is the sponsor.

Register online at CentralPascoChamber.com.

For information, contact the chamber at (813) 909-2722 or .