CORRECTION:
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce has relocated to 1868 Highland Oaks Blvd., Suite A. An item in Business Digest published on Jan. 10 said a different chamber had made the move.
Pasco EDC hits $1 million microloan mark
The Pasco Economic Development Council reached a $1 million milestone for its microloan program when it awarded a $35,000 loan to Superior Precast, according to a news release from the Pasco EDC.
Since the program’s launch five years ago, the Pasco EDC has provided 38 microloans, which resulted in the creation or retention of 270 jobs in Pasco County.
To fund the program, Pasco EDC collected $724,000 from private donations and the business community. The Pasco County Commission allocated $400,000 from the Penny for Pasco Jobs and Economic Opportunities Fund.
To qualify for a microloan, small business owners must demonstrate experience, resources, a solid business plan, and also be unable to obtain a traditional loan.
“When I see a success story and milestone like this come around, it makes me feel proud of the investments we are making in our community to help our small businesses,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Wells, in a written statement.
Superior Precast is a new project supplier to the Florida Department of Transportation. It manufactures precast concrete products for the Reinforced Earth Company (REC), for use in major Florida road projects. The company is located in nearly 63,000 square feet of industrial space in Dade City.
The $35,000 loan is the largest amount that can be loaned. The money will be applied to the company’s working capital budget to support increased product demand.
Applications for the microloan program are accepted from small business owners who run a for-profit company in Pasco. Proceeds from the loan may be used for working capital, inventory, supplies, furniture, fixtures, machinery and equipment. The funds can’t be used to buy real estate or to refinance existing debt.
For information, visit PascoEDC.com.
FASTSIGNS opens
FASTSIGNS of New Tampa/Wesley Chapel will have a ribbon cutting Feb. 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.
The sign, graphics and visual communications company offers visual marketing solutions to customers of all sizes, and across all industries, according to a company news release.
FASTSIGNS’ owner, Brian Levinson, is a Florida native who recently relocated to the Tampa area to launch his company. He formerly worked for a defense contractor, where he managed teams that developed cyber security solutions for fighter jets, naval combat systems and missile defense systems.
Adam Duty is graphics designer; Corinn Pope is outside sales professional; Alyiah Merlo is customer service specialist; and Christina Krenek is with corporate communications.
For information, call Levinson at (813) 575-3888, or email ; or, call Krenek at (813) 214-346-5663 or email .
East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking group will meet Jan. 23 at 7:30 a.m., at the IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City.
Guest speaker will be Cliff Martin, general manager of Jarrett Ford.
For information, contact Chairman Nils Lenz at or (813) 782-9491; or Vice Chairwoman Vicky Jones at or (813) 431-1149.
Economic development briefing
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its monthly economic briefing for Jan. 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Hunter’s Green Country Club, 18101 Longwater Run Drive in Tampa.
Guest speaker will be Loren Rhodes, of the Rhodes Group. He will talk about the Hyatt Place Hotel and Convention Center.
The cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.
For information, email the chamber at ., or visit WesleyChapelChamber.com.
