East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group now meets at Rose’s Café at 38426 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills. Networking begins at 8 a.m., with the meeting starting at 8:30 a.m.
Bob Hatfield from U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ office is scheduled to speak on Jan. 27.
For information, call Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491, or email him at .
Business development week luncheon
If you’re interested in finding out more about the economy’s outlook and how the markets are likely to perform in 2015, you may want to attend the Business Development Week Luncheon Jan. 30 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club, 11500 Old Tampa Bay Drive in San Antonio.
Kumquat Festival selling sponsorship packages
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce is now accepting reservation packages for the 2015 Kumquat Festival, set to take place Jan. 31.
Packages start at $500, and include logos and links on the KumquatFestival.org website, as well as booth space at the festival. Premier packages, which run from $1,000 to $5,000, include additional features.
The event is expected to draw 45,000 people from Florida, who live here seasonally, and who are visiting.
For information, call John Moors at (352) 567-3769, or email .
Women-N-Charge to meet
A business women’s group called Women-n-Charge will meet from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., on Feb. 6 at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in New Tampa.
The meeting includes lunch, a feature speaker and time to network. The cost is $15 for members, paid by the Tuesday before the meeting, and $18 for members paying later, and for guests, too.
February’s speaker will be Shanita D. Jones, who will be speaking on “Business and Personal Tax Tips for Filing your Taxes.”
Register at Women-n-Charge.com.
For more information, contact Judy at (813) 600-9848 or .
NetFest sponsors needed
The Pasco Economic Development Council is hosting its 13th annual NetFest, which is short for Networking Festival, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., on March 5 at Starkey Ranch on State Road 54 in Odessa.
The council is seeking sponsorships ranging from $500 to $2,000.
The event is a casual night of food, drink and music — and a great chance to network.
For more information, visit PascoEDC.com.
Central Pasco Chamber introduces new expo
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is launching a new event this year called the 2015 Community Fun Day and Business Expo.
The event, open to everyone, will shine a spotlight businesses and service providers in the northern area of Hillsborough and the central area of Pasco counties.
There will be fun and games for kids, live entertainment, door prizes and a food truck rally at the event, which has the theme of “Keeping It Local — Moving our Businesses Forward.”
The two-day event, free to the public, will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., on March 6 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., on March 7. It will be at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.
Sponsorships and booth spaces are available.
Visit CentralPascoChamber.com for an application. For more information, call (813) 909-2722, or email .
State program could generate 25,000 new jobs
An independent analysis by Florida TaxWatch has determined that expanding GrowFl could result in 25,000 new jobs over the next 10 years.
GrowFl is a state program designed to grow and develop the biggest job-creating companies in Florida.
Florida TaxWatch is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy research institute.
In addition to boosting job growth, investing in GrowFl would help diversify the state economy and provide positive return on Florida’s investments, Florida TaxWatch said, in a news release.
PEDC board names new chairman
The Pasco Economic Development Council, Inc. has named Lex Smith as the new chairman of its board.
Smith is city president-Nature Coast of SunTrust Bank.
Smith has been involved with the Pasco EDC board since 2010 and has served in various roles.
Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Florida, where he played both quarterback and linebacker for the UF Gators football team from 1989 to 1992.
Business Link available monthly
Business Link, a monthly small business gathering hosted by the San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union, meets the second Wednesday of each month beginning at 7:30 a.m.
The meeting is designed to provide a networking and information-sharing platform for the business community.
For locations, details and to reserve a seat, email , or call (352) 588-2732, ext. 1237.
Wesley Chapel networking group
Networking for Your Success meets every Thursday at 8 a.m., at Lexington Oaks Country Club, 2615 Lexington Oaks Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.
Cost is $5, and annual membership to the group is $79.
Dade City chamber needs volunteers
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce is looking for some volunteers to help with the chamber event season.
With winter residents returning to the area, there are a number of activities the chamber needs help to staff. The chamber is looking for people who are friendly and outgoing, who have knowledge of the local area and activities, and are team-oriented.
Catholic Business Networking seeks members
The Catholic Business Networking group is looking for Catholic business owners, employees and supporters interested in joining it for regular meetings every Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 2348 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes.
The group has annual dues of $60, and there is a minimum attendance requirement of two meetings per month.
For information, call (813) 833-4737, or visit CBNTampa.com.
Volunteer tax preparers needed
United Way of Pasco County is looking for help this coming tax season with volunteer tax preparers.
Last year, more than 8,000 county residents used United Way’s tax preparation service, and received more than $8 million in total refunds.
Interest in being a tax preparer does not require experience, and comes with comprehensive training.
For more information, visit UnitedWayPasco.org.
