Greater Pasco Chamber luncheon
The Greater Pasco Chamber membership luncheon is set for Jan. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at SpringHill Suites Tampa North-Land O’ Lakes, 16615 Crosspointe Run, Land O’ Lakes. For more information, call (727) 842-7651.
Greater Pasco Chamber breakfast
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce general membership breakfast meeting is set for Jan. 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at the Seven Springs Golf & Country Club in Trinity. Cost for the breakfast is $20 members, $30 for nonmembers. Receive a $5 discount if registered and paid by Jan. 14. For more information, call (727) 842-7651 or (813) 909-2722. To register, go to , and click on the events tab.
Dade City chamber breakfast
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce will have its breakfast meeting on Jan. 21, beginning at 7 a.m. for networking, followed by breakfast and the program. This month’s meeting focuses on the Pasco County Fair, and will be at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, Madill Building, 36722 State Road 52 in Dade City. Cost is $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers, prepaid. Go to the chamber’s website, DadeCityChamber.org, and click on the events tab to prepay.
Tampa Bay named among top Tech Towns
The Tampa Bay area is now home to more than 150 tech startups, with nearly 43,200 IT jobs posted last year and IT jobs estimated to grow by 6% during the next five years, according to an association known as CompTIA, which is based near Chicago. Because of that activity and investment, the region is considered to be one of top 20 Tech Towns, according to a news brief published on Hillsborough County’s website. Tampa ranked No. 19 on the list. Jacksonville ranked No. 18.
How to create a business plan
Learn how to create a successful business plan. You will learn what data is needed to create a plan and how to acquire it. You will then learn how to use the data to set realistic goals and objectives. The session will be on Jan. 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2918 Collier Parkway. This free small business seminar is being offered by Pasco Hernando SCORE. To register and to find out what other free classes are being offered, go to PascoHernando.score.org.
Business development week kick-off luncheon
Michele Smith, a double Olympic Gold Medalist with the U.S. National Team, will be the keynote speaker at the kick-off luncheon for Business Development week. The event is set for Jan. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Spartan Manor, 6121 Massachusetts Ave., in New Port Richey. The cost is $30 for members of the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce and $40 for nonmembers.
For more information, call (813) 909-2722. To RSVP, go to .
Numerous sessions are set up for that week. Check the chamber’s event page for more information.
Webinar series on taxes
This webinar series, entitled “Understanding and Taking Control of Your Federal Income Taxes,” contains three segments, according to a Hillsborough County news release.
The session dates and topics are listed below. Each session is from noon to 1 p.m.
Jan. 16: “What’s Your Tax Rate?”
Jan. 23: “Tax Deductions and Credits”
Jan. 30: “Free Tax Preparation Programs and Resources”
To register and obtain the webinar links, go to the local events calendar at sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsborough.
For more information, contact Lisa Leslie at or (813) 744-5519, ext. 54143.
Business and education summit
CareerSource Tampa Bay has announced a business and education summit called Vision 2020, which is aimed to understand the business and education demands for the Tampa Bay job market.
The event will be on Feb. 28, with check-in starting at 7:30 a.m. The event will include business networking and a continental breakfast at 8 a.m. Registration for the event is required.
The forum is expected to attract more than 250 business, education and community leaders, and will feature industry recognized speakers sharing their insights on the current economic positions and vision for the future of work, according to a CareerSource news release.
Cost to attend is $50. For details on conference speakers and breakout sessions, visit CareerSourceTampaBay.com/vision2020.
Sponsorships are still available. Seating for the event is limited.
Main Street Zephyrhills news
Main Street Zephyrhills, in a news release, announced these new businesses in Zephyrhills:
- Acme Fence, 5844 First St.
- Brewer Law Firm, PA, 5537 Gall Blvd.
- Mastercraft Construction and Homebuilding, 5343 Sixth St.
- Pet Supplies Plus, 5953 Gall Blvd.
In other news, Main Street Zephyrhills also announced a $2,000 annual program sponsorship from Cash King Realty.
And, the organization reported that matching Façade Grants are now available in the downtown area, for new businesses or businesses looking to freshen up their existing building. The address must be within in the Community Redevelopment Agency district to qualify.
To find out more, call the Main Street Zephyrhills Office at (813) 780-1414 or the Community Redevelopment Agency office at (813) 780-000, ext. 3506.
Recent Pasco government approvals
Here are some recent approvals by the Pasco County Commission:
- Conditional use permit for the sale of beer, wine and alcohol for on-premise consumption at Glory Days Grill, on the south side of State Road 54, 1,500 feet east of Wiregrass Ranch Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.
- Conditional use permit for the sale of beer, wine and alcohol for on-premise consumption at Cigars International, in conjunction with a specialty retail store on the east side of Creek Grass Way, about 350 feet south of State Road 56, in Lutz.
- Conditional use permit for the sale of beer and wine at a retail building owned by Pasco Ranch, Inc., on the south side of Sierra Center Boulevard, about 450 feet east of Marshbend Way, in Lutz.
Thomas Promise Foundation receives grant
The South Central Chapter of Joy in Childhood Foundation has approved a grant for $10,000 for the Thomas Promise Foundation. Joy in Childhood Foundation is an independent 501 C3 organization, powered by Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins Brands, their partners, franchisees and guests. The grant will provide more than 20,000 meals for Thomas Promise, which provides meals to feed students who may not have access to meals when school breakfast and lunch programs are not in operation.
