‘One Warm Coat’ campaign
Ashley HomeStore is hosting a coat drive to collect clean, gently worn, or new coats through Jan. 31.
The Ashley store at 26222 Golden Maple Loop, in Wesley Chapel; the store at 2915 N. Dale Mabry Highway, in Tampa; and the Port Richey store at 6411 Tacoma Drive are among the participating locations.
Coat donations will be accepted daily, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., through the end of January.
Last year, more than 260,000 coats were distributed across North America to children and adults in need through One Warm Coat’s coat drive program, according to a news release.
One Warm Coat is a national nonprofit organization that provides free coats to children and adults in need, while promoting volunteerism and environmental sustainability. Since 1992, One Warm Coat has worked with volunteers and sponsors to host more than 40,000 coat drives, collecting nearly 7 million coats that have been distributed to people in need through a network of more than 1,000 nonprofit partners across all 50 states.
Business development week festivities
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce is hosting a number of activities for Business Development, Jan. 24 through Jan. 28. For greater detail, visit the chamber’s website at GreaterPasco.com.
GrowPasco
GrowPasco will feature 15 business-related breakout sessions on Feb. 26 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Hyatt Place Tampa Wesley Chapel, at 26000 Sierra Center Blvd., in Lutz.
Cost is $40 for general admission or $20 for Pasco businesses and residents. Those attending must RSVP by Feb. 16.
Go to the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.’s website, PascoEDC.com, to register and for more information.
U.S. Gymnastics Championships 2022
The Tampa Convention Center will co-host the 2022 U.S. Gymnastics Championships and National Congress and Trade Show, according to a City of Tampa news release.
The annual national event will take place Aug. 18 to Aug. 21, with Amalie Arena hosting the artistic gymnastics championships that will determine the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams, and the Tampa Convention Center hosting the accompanying National Congress and Trade Show.
Exhibits will consist of educational presentations and live demonstrations focused on coaching, judging, general business, sports science, fitness, athlete safety, and much more.
HART board appointments
The Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) Board elected Hillsborough County Commissioner Patricia “Pat” Kemp as chair, Hillsborough County Commissioner Kimberly Overman as vice chair and Director Melanie Williams as secretary of the HART Board of Directors for 2022, according to a news release from HART.
Commissioner Kemp assumes the role previously held by Hillsborough County Commissioner Mariella Smith, who served in the role for the last two years. Kemp will serve a one-year term.
Grand openings and ribbon cuttings
Grand opening: Back 9 Bistro Restaurant Events and Catering, at 7924 Melogold Circle in Land O’ Lakes, is a new place to ‘drive’ and dine, at the Groves, Golf & Country Club. A grand opening celebration is set for Jan. 21 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Ribbon-cutting: The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce had a ribbon cutting on Jan. 14 for Planet Jupiter Hookah, a new lounge at 38438 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills.
Free SCORE seminars
A webinar on Utilizing YouTube in Your Business, will be held on Feb. 8 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Register by going to PascoHernando.score.org.
A webinar on How to Become a Winning Competitor will be offered from noon to 1 p.m., on Feb. 17. Register at PascoHernando.score.org.
City of Tampa receives $2 million for housing rehab
The City of Tampa has been awarded nearly $2 million to put toward one of its affordable housing programs.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Jan. 12 that it would distribute more than $100 million to nonprofit organizations, and state and local government agencies, to protect children and families from home health hazards, according to a city news release.
Tampa will dedicate these funds to its Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program, and more specifically, to pay for home inspections and a new set of repairs that address home health hazards.
Income-eligible homeowners can receive repairs and replacements valued at up to $50,000 that bring their homes into compliance with the City’s Florida Building Code and Housing Quality Standards.
The scope of work includes roofing, air conditioning, electrical and plumbing. Not only will the additional HUD grant cover the initial inspections where home health hazards are identified, it also will expand the program to include remediation for mold, lead-based paint, and radon, the news release says.
