Florida SBDC adds satellite office
The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of South Florida (USF) has announced the addition of a new satellite office location. Beginning on Jan. 18, every third Thursday of the month, aspiring, emerging, and established business owners in Pasco County can find their local Florida SBDC at USF consultant in Wesley Chapel, located at the SMARTstart @ The Grove Entrepreneur Center building, according to a news release.
Entrepreneurs seeking business guidance will have the opportunity to consult with consultant Pablo Arroyo at no cost at 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 202, Wesley Chapel.
“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with SMARTstart @ The Grove Entrepreneur Center in Pasco County,” Carl Hadden, regional director of the Florida SBDC at USF, said in the release.
“The Florida SBDC at USF is excited about the opportunity to extend our services to the vibrant community of Pasco County. We look forward to fostering entrepreneurship, growth, and success through SMARTstart @ The Grove Entrepreneur Center,” Hadden said.
For more than 45 years, the Florida SBDC at USF has provided no-cost assistance to aspiring, emerging, and established businesses in Pasco County through consulting, training, and market research.
“As long-term partners with our Pasco Enterprise Network, we are very excited to welcome the SBDC into our SMARTstart at The Grove entrepreneur center,” Dan Mitchell, SMARTstart program director, said in the release.
“Our members, and mutual clients, will be served very well with counseling, advice, and the resources that the SBDC provides,” Mitchell said.
SMARTstart is a program of the Pasco Economic Development Council and receives funding for economic development from Penny for Pasco.
The addition of the SBDC office in Pasco creates additional access to consultant expertise on areas vital to accelerating business growth, including strategic market research, market expansion, and other business topics, the release says.
Pasco Corrections is hiring
Pasco County Corrections is hiring corrections officers and corrections officer trainees, and will have an in-person career fair on Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and Jan. 17, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The event will be at the Pasco County Corrections facility, at 20101 Central Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. Corrections leadership will be conducting on-the-spot interviews. Those interested are advised to RSVP in advance, to secure an interview slot. RSVP to .
Economic drivers in Pasco and beyond
Learn about key economic drivers in Pasco County, Florida and across the United States during a luncheon presented by the Pasco Economic Development Council on Jan. 18, at the Hilton Garden Inn Suncoast Parkway, 2155 Northpointe Parkway in Lutz.
Check-in and networking are from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and the luncheon and presentation are from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Ben Friedman, economic development specialist at Duke Energy, will provide an overview on the economy in Pasco and across Florida, while Brian Barker, chief investment officer at SouthState Bank, will focus on a look back at the nation’s economy from 2023 and an outlook into 2024.
The cost is $35 and RSVPs are needed by Jan. 11. For more information, visit the Pasco EDC website at PascoEDC.com.
Pasco/Hernando SCORE Mentoring
Pasco Hernando SCORE offers free confidential small business mentoring. Our volunteer business experts will provide free assistance to small business owners to help solve their problems and grow their business. To request a mentor, visit SCORE.org/pascohernando .
SCORE webinars for business owners
SCORE offers a slate of free webinars on a variety of topics, aimed at helping business owners to succeed. Here are some of the upcoming webinars. Check with SCORE.org for more information on upcoming sessions and how to register. These upcoming webinars are at 1 p.m.:
Jan. 11: How To Start A Business Using A Free Score Mentor
Jan. 16: The Basics of Money Management
Jan. 18: 7 Simple Ways to Protect Yourself Legally When Starting a Business
Jan. 25: How to Create a Financial Plan – Financial Planning Basics
Jan. 30: How to Use Artificial Intelligence in Your Business: A Step-by-Step Guide
Overcoming financial challenges
The North Tampa Bay Chamber will present a lunch and learn on Jan. 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the NTBC Wiregrass Office – Signature Works, 28210 Paseo Drive, No. 190 to 105, in Wesley Chapel.
The cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Registration is required.
The session focuses on overcoming financial challenges in business by learning how entrepreneurs can obtain credit. It is being presented by Jay Brach, executive vice president, and Trevor Gunn, regional managing partner, of J. Galt. For more information, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com.
Business celebrations
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce has announced a number of business celebrations. They include:
- Jan. 10, 4:30 p.m.: O2B Kids Lutz ribbon-cutting, 2400 Ashley Creek Trail, in Land O’ Lakes
- Jan. 19, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., private tour and tastings; 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., ribbon-cutting celebration: Belmar Pharma Solutions, 2500 Lake Pointe Parkway, Odessa.
- Jan. 23, day begins with 8 a.m. kick-off breakfast: The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Professional Development Day brings valued information and training to the community. Registration is open. The event features a kick-off breakfast with a keynote speaker, speed networking, a panel of experts, an after-hours mixer and more. For more information, check the chamber’s website at GreaterPasco.com.
Hooters helps others
Pasco County Foster Adoptive Parent Association – The HMC Hospitality Group Corporate Office and the Spring Hill Hooters, Port Richey Hooters, Clearwater Hooters, John’s Pass Hooters, 4th Street Hooters, Odessa Hooters, Port Richey Hooters and Spring Hill Hooters locations received tags for the Pasco County Foster Adoptive Parent Association Angel Program to collect gifts for local foster children and adoptive kids. As a company they donated gifts to over 160 children.
