CEOs continue building Habitat home
LARGO – More than a dozen Tampa Bay-area CEOs volunteered Feb. 13 in the Ridgecrest community of Largo during Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside’s fifth annual CEO Build.
The event marked the third of four build days supporting a new home for the Wesley family. Participants laid sod and planted greenery.
Brian Kleinschmidt and Mika Kleinschmidt, hosts of “100 Day Dream Home,” served as guest site supervisors.
Since launching in 2022, the CEO Build has grown from 50 leaders raising $160,000 to 100 leaders raising $250,000 this year to provide a safe, affordable home for Tyshawnna and Andre Wesley and their four sons.
On the web: habitattbg.org/ceobuild/
Duke Energy offers customers resources
TAMPA – Floridians may see higher power bills following the recent cold snap as heating systems worked harder and used more energy.
Duke Energy Florida said rates are still declining overall. Residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours will see a $33 reduction on February bills compared to January, followed by another $11 decrease in March.
The company also warns scams may increase. Nearly 800 scam reports were made in February 2025 after a previous cold snap, and a similar spike is expected.
Customers can request installment plans, due date extensions and access programs such as Share the Light Fund. Free home energy assessments and rebates are also available.
“Duke Energy has a dedicated team ready to provide our customers with the individualized support they need,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president.
Golf tourney to raise scholarship dollars
WESLEY CHAPEL – The North Tampa Bay Chamber Foundation will host the inaugural Fairways to the Future: Scholarship Golf Tournament presented by AdventHealth Wesley Chapel on April 10 at Saddlebrook Resort.
The scramble-format tournament supports scholarships for local graduating seniors. Golfers of all skill levels can register as a team or individual. The event includes prizes, raffles, hole challenges and a post-play awards luncheon. Special guests and celebrity golfers will also participate.
Registration begins at 8 a.m., followed by a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
Fees are $700 per team of four or $175 per individual player.
Visit northtampabaychamber.com for details.
19 acres sell in Port Richey
PORT RICHEY – Hold-Thyssen, a commercial real estate firm based in Clearwater and Winter Park, has completed the sale of a 19-plus-acre vacant tract at Richey Drive and Wilkins Street.
Carol L. Kinnard, a transaction specialist in the firm’s Clearwater office, represented the seller, Jose Albert Kreijman of Malaga, Spain, and the buyer, Port Richey Drive LLC of Delray Beach.
“This sale reflects ongoing demand for well-positioned land in Port Richey and surrounding communities,” Kinnard said. “Large tracts like this are increasingly difficult to find, and buyers recognize the long-term value of securing land in growing corridors.”
Hold-Thyssen specializes in commercial sales, leasing and investment properties statewide.
Pasco County explains purchasing opportunities
WESLEY CHAPEL – The Pasco County Purchasing Department will host its “Doing Business with Pasco County” Vendor Workshop and Reverse Trade Show on March 2 at the Wesley Chapel Recreation Complex.
The event invites vendors interested in working with the Pasco Board of County Commissioners to learn how to bid on county projects and connect with departments, major vendors and other business owners.
Topics include the Vendor Preference Policy, RFP and RSQ processes, the Consultants Competitive Negotiation Act, and how to prepare and submit bids and proposals. Attendees will also learn about county operations and available resources.
The workshop runs from 2 to 4 p.m. at 7727 Boyette Road, Wesley Chapel.
On the web: mypas.co/VendorWorkshop.
Bilirakis visits tax prep site
HOLIDAY – U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis visited a federally funded free tax preparation site Feb. 6 in Pasco County operated by IRS-certified volunteers through Seniors in Service Tampa.
Free services are available at Regency Park Civic Center, 10240 Regency Park Blvd., Port Richey, and Holiday United Church of Christ, 4826 Bartelt Road, Holiday.
The program, serving the community since 2005, assists low- and moderate-income residents, prioritizing households earning under $100,000. Returns are filed electronically, with refunds typically issued within 10 days to two weeks.
Bilirakis thanked volunteers and highlighted changes under the Working Families Tax Credit Act, including potential deductions for tips, overtime pay and an additional $6,000 deduction for seniors 65 and older.
Appointments are available at events.seniorsinservice.org/taxprep or by calling 813-819-9864.
North Tampa Bay events
LAND O’ LAKES – The North Tampa Bay Chamber will host a New Member Orientation and Final Friday.
- Hope Kennedy, president and CEO, leads a New Member Orientation from 9 to 10 a.m. Feb. 25 at the chamber office, 28329 Paseo Drive, Suite 195, Wesley Chapel.
- Members network during Final Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 27 at Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant, 6034 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 100, Wesley Chapel.
Visit northtampabaychamber.com for details about the chamber and events.
Greater Pasco events
NEW PORT RICHEY – The Greater Pasco Chamber will host the New Port Richey Business Exchange and programming for women.
- Members trade company literature during the New Port Richey Business Exchange from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 26 at Seafire Grill, 4927 U.S. 19, New Port Richey. Members get in free. Others pay $10. Register in advance.
- Members celebrate the grand opening of High Trim LLC from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 27 at 15036 U.S. 19 N., Hudson. The ribbon cutting starts at 1 p.m.
- The Young Professionals Group networks during Coffee Connections from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Feb. 27 at Starkey Market, 3460 Starkey Blvd., Trinity.
Visit greaterpasco.com for details about the chamber and events.
East Pasco events
DADE CITY – The East Pasco Chamber will host Coffee & Networking and Core Connections.
- Members network during Coffee & Networking from 8 to 9 a.m. Feb. 27 at the Zephyrhills office (38550 5th Ave.) and 8 to 9 a.m. March 3 at the Dade City office (14112 8th St.).
Visit eastpascochamber.org for details about the chamber and events.
