Marshalls grand opening set for May 15
Marshalls is set to open its newest store in Land O’ Lakes May 15 at the Village Lakes Shopping Center.
The 24,000-square-foot store will be one of more than 900 in 43 states and Puerto Rico. The first day, which runs from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., will include giveaways and gift card prizes, according to a release.
The regular hours for the store will run Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It will bring approximately 60 full- and part-time jobs to the area, as well as more than 10,000 new items added to the inventory weekly.
Marshalls also is planning to donate $5,000 to Feeding America Tampa Bay as part of its opening festivities during a ribbon cutting May 15 at 7:30 a.m.
RPE wins software award
Retail Process Engineering, a Land O’ Lakes-based retail consulting firm, has received the Global Alliance Leadership Award from JDA Software for the fourth year in a row.
Companies like RPE who use JDA services are eligible for the award. The company received the award at the annual JDA Focus global conference recently in Las Vegas.
RPE moved to Pasco County last year, bringing 16 jobs with an average annual salary of $105,000 with it. The company is located in the Offices of Devonwood, located just off State Road 54 west of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.
Saint Leo finds VP of business affairs
Eric Weekes has been appointed vice president of business affairs at Saint Leo University.
Weekes comes from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he was senior executive vice president and chief financial officer. At Saint Leo, Weekes will be responsible for all financial and operational areas of the university, human resources, leadership development, construction and auxiliary services, management, legal services, and information technology.
Weekes hold an MBA in finance from New York University, and a bachelor’s degree in business management from New York Institute of Technology.
Hillsborough hires new communications chief
Liana Lopez has been hired as the new chief communications administrator for Hillsborough County.
In her new job, Lopez will integrate communications, community affairs and customer service areas. The hiring requires approval by the Hillsborough County Commission, but once it happens, her salary will be $165,000, according to a release.
Lopez most recently serves as director of communications for Visit Tampa Bay. Before that, she spent eight years as director of public affairs for Tampa mayor Pam Iorio.
Little Greek Restaurant gets microloan
Ervin Dhima became the 12th recipient of Pasco Economic Development Council’s microloan program for his franchise of the Little Greek Restaurant.
Located in Mitchell Ranch Plaza in Trinity, Dhima says his restaurant has been “very busy since we opened.”
The microloan fund was established to help local entrepreneurs who cannot obtain traditional financing to grow their business and create jobs. Borrowers have to show they have the experience and resources to be successful business operators. Proceeds can be used for working capital, inventory, supplies, furniture, fixtures, and machinery and equipment. However, it cannot be used to purchase real estate or pay down existing debt.
Dhima joined Little Greek Restaurant in 2008, and helped the company open franchises in Texas and Florida. His new franchise employs nine people.
For information on the microloan program, visit PascoEDC.com, or call (813) 926-0827.
Families fed, thanks to Fifth Third
Fifth Third Bank recently wrapped up its month-long Feeding Families campaign, collecting more than 242 barrels of food.
A little less than half of them were donated to Metropolitan Ministries, which helps hungry children and families in the four-county Tampa Bay region, and another 125 barrels were donated to the Agape Food Bank in Lakeland.
The items were collected throughout April at all 48 Fifth Third locations in Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk counties.
More than 50 Fifth Third employees and their families volunteered, sorting food items, preparing meals, serving residents, and cleaning rooms at the new Emergency Care Center at Metropolitan Ministries in downtown Tampa.
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 $50, and there is a minimum attendance requirement of two meetings per month.
For information, call (813) 842-7064, or visit CBNTampa.com.
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.
East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group has scheduled several speakers for the coming months. The group meets every other week at the Village Inn at 5214 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. Networking begins at 8 a.m., with the meeting starting at 8:30 a.m.
Upcoming speakers include:
• Mike Moore, Pasco County Commission candidate, May 27.
CPA students sought for scholarship
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation is looking for minority accounting students across the state to apply for the Clay Ford scholarship.
It is awarded each year to minority students looking to become certified public accountants. The program has awarded more than $1 million since it was first implemented in 1999.
A $10 portion from each individual and firm license fee funds the scholarship. Applicants may be eligible for scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $6,000 per semester, and awarded for a maximum of two semesters.
Applications must be postmarked by June 1. For information, visit MyFloridaLicense.com/CPAScholarship.
