CO.STARTERS cohort completes program
The Pasco Economic Development Council announced that its CO.STARTERS for Causes cohort successfully completed the inaugural program. The nine-week program was designed to provide local nonprofit organizations training to “scale and meet the demands of our growing community,” by engaging on topics including “knowing their customer, finding the right solution, marketing, financial modeling and legal considerations,” according to a news release. The cohort members were:
- Patti Templeton – One Community Now
- Debbie Proulx – NAMI Pasco
- Debi Shackowsky – Marjorie’s Hope
- Lexa Duno – LILLY Education Foundation
- Freddie Hinson – Nature Coast Community Development Corporation
- Julia Pauls – ERProjectExtreme/End Recidivism
- Kelly Sinn – Sunrise Domestic and Sexual Violence Center
- Felice Flake – The 502 Project
- Beth Aker – ChipZ and Meals on Wheels Pasco
For more information about CO.STARTERS for Causes, contact SMARTstart Program Director Dan Mitchell at , or visit SmartStartPasco.com/CoStarters.
Professional networking breakfast
The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a Professional Networking Breakfast on June 21 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., for anyone who works with or for a nonprofit as a business owner or organization. The topic of discussion will be how Pasco Libraries partners with nonprofits to both enhance library services and nonprofit exposure. A complimentary breakfast will be provided. Registration is required. Call 727-815-7126.
NTBC coffee social
The North Tampa Bay Chamber will host a coffee social on June 19 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at SVB Restaurant, 6585 Simons Road, Zephyrhills. The networking event is free to attend and will offer light bites and coffee.
Best state economies ranked
The personal-finance website WalletHub ranked Florida seventh overall in its recently released report 2024’s Best & Worst State Economies. It compared 28 key indicators of economic performance and strength, including GDP growth and unemployment rate, according to a news release. Here’s how Florida ranked in various sub-categories:
First – Startup Activity
Second – Change in Nonfarm Payrolls
Seventh – Change in GDP
16th – Unemployment Rate
24th – Government Surplus/Deficit per Capita
For the full report, visit WalletHub.com/edu/states-with-the-best-economies/21697.
Black Business Loan Program open for applications
FloridaCommerce announced the opening of the application period for Loan Program Administrators to apply for the Black Business Loan Program (BBLP) for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, according to a news release. BBLP administrators provide “alternative lending opportunities and technical assistance to Black business enterprises that cannot obtain capital through conventional lending institutions but could otherwise compete successfully in the private sector,” according to the release. The application period is open until June 30, and new and current BBLP administrators may apply.
For more information, visit floridajobs.org/business-growth-and-partnerships/Small-and-Minority-Business-Resources/Small-Business-Innovation/black-business-loan-program, or contact Program Manager Kyle Parsons at .
