Big Storm opens new kitchen
Big Storm Brewing Co. is opening a kitchen at its founding taproom, at 2330 Success Drive in Odessa, offering specialty, causal meals. Big Storm has already had success with its menu at its Clearwater taproom, according to a news release from the company. “Pasco County is where it all began for us, so it feels great to invest even more in the county we love. It’s our spot for testing and developing new concepts, and we’re just getting started,” Mike Bishop, Big Storm founder, said in the release. The Pasco taproom is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., daily. Kitchen service is expected to begin by mid-July.
Central Pasco Chamber awards
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce recently bestowed its final set of awards, before the chamber merges with the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce to become the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce, effective July 1.
The slate of the Central Pasco Chamber’s honorees:
Large Business of the Year: Pizza Villa
Small Business of the Year: Nautilus Soap Company
Nonprofit of the Year: Land O’ Lakes Rotary
Chamber Member of the Year: Diane Kortus (publisher and owner of The Laker/Lutz News)
Community Service Award: Melissa Brown
Ambassador of the Year: Melissa Brown
Honorary Mayor of Land O’ Lakes: Kathy Balthazard (area sales manager, of First National Bank of Pasco in Lutz)
AJ’s Power Source to receive incentives
AJ’s Power Source, at 6931 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., is seeking $40,000 in economic incentives from Pasco County for creating 20 new full-time jobs that will pay in excess of 125 percent of the county’s average annual wage. The county has reached an agreement with the company stipulating that 25 percent of the incentive will be awarded during the first year of the contract, with a subsequent distribution of 25 percent each year after, until the maximum amount has been reached.
Greater Pasco Chamber names officers
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce, a newly formed chamber resulting from the merger of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce and the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce, has announced its board of directors for 2019-2020.
The board members are: Greg Armstrong, Kathleen Balthazard, Elayne Bassinger, John Butler, Angel Cook, Terri Dusek, Jim Engelmann, Judi Fisher, Juan Fontanez, Paul Friedlander, Jeremy George, Sandy Graves, Les Saland, Tim Sherrrell and Adam Shoemaker.
SWFMD board elects new officers
The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board has elected a new slate of officers for the 2019-2020 term. They are:
- Mark Taylor, chair, represents Hernando and Marion counties; president of TTG Properties Inc.
- Michelle Williamson, vice chair, represents Hillsborough County; manager of G & F Farms
- Joel Schleicher, secretary, represents Charlotte and Sarasota counties; an entrepreneur known for his involvement in various organizations
- Kelly S. Rice, treasurer, represents Citrus, Lake, Levy and Sumter counties; small business owner
The new officers will serve a one-year term.
East Pasco Networking Group
Leja Apple, a professional actress and model, and former Miss Pasco, will be the featured speaker at the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast on July 9. The group meets from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City. For more information, call Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491 or Vicky Jones at (813) 431-1149.
