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 speakers will be Rosa Quintela and 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 from 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 .
Wesley Chapel author writes about personal finance
Wesley Chapel resident Dave Robbins has written a book aimed at helping people achieve financial success.
He wants to help people learn to earn more, spend less and live debt-free.
His book is called, “Rich Little Piggy: Build a Financial House of Brick.”
His book is available on Amazon. You can also visit Facebook.com/richlittlepiggy.
Pasco Tax Collector’s office raises $60,000 for charities
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s office has raised $60,000 for various charities between October 2013 and the end of 2104.
During the past 15 months the following organizations have received donations and/ or partnered with the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office to provide goods and services to those in need: The Able Trust, Blind Services Foundation of Florida, Prevent Blindness Florida, The Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program, The James Patrick Work Incentive Program, Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living, Support Our Troops, Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Drive, Be a Santa to a Senior, Farm Share, The Volunteer Way, Lighthouse for the Blind, Gulfside Hospice & Palliative Care, Guardian ad Litem Program, Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation, Lifelink/ Donate Life, ARC Florida – Center for Independence, Pack-a-Sack 4 Kids, AAA Traffic Safety Foundation, Florida Breast Cancer Foundation, Terri’s Tears Foundation, Toys 4 Tots and One Community’s Hunger Walk.
Jobs on the go
CareerSource Pasco Hernando has reintroduced its Mobile One Stop, a 38-foot bus retrofitted with 13 computer stations. It’s complete with satellite Internet, telecommunications, printing, copying and scanning — everything anyone would need to find a job.
It provides service to more than 100 people every month with stops that include the New River Branch Library in Zephyrhills among others.
For details on where Mobile One Stop will be, visit CareerSourcePascoHernando.com.
Small Business Help
If you’re launching a new business or trying to expand, the Pasco Enterprise Network may have information that can guide and assist you.
The network is a collaborative effort of nonprofit agencies committed to ensuring the success of small businesses in Pasco County. Network partners provide consulting, counseling, education, and technical assistance in a variety of areas and subjects.
To find out more, visit PascoEDC.com/pen.
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.
