Pulte Homes plans ‘Vida’s Way’ on portion of DePue Ranch
Pulte Homes is planning Vida’s Way — a residential development — on a portion of a ranch owned by one of Pasco County’s oldest families.
Pulte Homes has purchased more than 332 acres of an 1,800-acre tract that has been owned by the DePue family since the 1800s, according to a news release.
Vida’s Way, will be built on one of Pasco’s largest undeveloped properties, the release adds. The property is in Wesley Chapel, less than five miles from State Road 54 and State Road 56 with close proximity to Interstate-75. Pulte Homes has acquired the northeast corner of the ranch for more than 700 homes, for its first phase of construction.
The single-home community’s name is an homage to the late Vida Clair Barnes DePue, the family’s matriarch. She was instrumental in managing the ranch through the 1900s and transitioning it into the cattle operation it is today. She was 88 when she passed away in 2010, the release adds.
Pulte Group’s West Florida Division began speaking with the family in early 2020 after the family expressed interest in selling a portion of the ranch.
“Many developers have reached out to us over the years, but we were impressed with the extensive time and effort the Pulte team took to learn about and understand our rich family history,” Michael Nutt, grandson of Vida DePue,” said in the release. “We believe Vida’s Way will be a lasting tribute to her life. We hope this community provides many years of memories for the families who live there.”
“Over the last three years, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know the Nutt family and visiting their ranch,” Sean Strickler, president of Pulte’s West Florida Division, said in the release.
“The result has been a highly collaborative working relationship and the development of a community that not only honors their decades of hard work, but also looks to the future with additional residential and commercial development. We are incredibly honored and excited to bring Vida’s Way to the market.”
Residents at Vida’s Way will be offered a unique collection of homesites and amenities.
Floor plans for Vida’s Way are coming soon.
Pasco EDC names finalists for awards
Finalists have been named for the Pasco Economic Development Council’s 35th Annual Awards celebration. Those selected to be honored have demonstrated innovation and exhibited economic and community impact, according to a Pasco EDC news release. The 20 in the running for the top honors are:
- 4 & Co.
- Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas & West Pasco counties
- 43 Inc.
- Amerikey Locksmith
- Just Market It
- AmSkills
- K & K Food Industries
- Architectural Signage & Printing
- Marjorie’s Hope
- NEAT Coffee Bar LLC
- Baymar Solutions LLC
- NFFANT Labs
- Davron
- Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center
- Florida Avenue Brewing Co.
- Suncoast Clinical Research Inc.
- Fraud Doctor LLC
- Ultimate 3D Printing Store
- Global ETS LLC
- Vesh Catering
Pasco EDC’s Policy Council also selected Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools, for its annual Leadership Award, which goes to someone who has made an exceptional impact to economic development and to the Pasco County community, according to the release.
The event is scheduled for Sept. 7 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Instructional Performing Arts Center, 8657 Old Pasco Road, in Wesley Chapel. The event typically attracts more than 400 business and community leaders in Tampa Bay, as well as elected state, county and municipal leaders. Festivities include networking and dinner, as well as the awards presentation.
Tickets for the event are $85. For more information, contact , or call 813-355-0668. To register, go to PascoEDC.com.
East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group (EPNG) meets on the second Tuesday of the month (except for December), at 7:30 a.m., at IHOP, at 13100 U.S. 301, in Dade City. The group’s meetings feature speakers from a wide array of backgrounds. Here is its upcoming slate of speakers:
- Sept. 12: Todd Vande Berg, director of planning, City of Zephyrhills
- Oct. 10: Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller
- Nov. 14: Madonna Wise, author, local historian and retired educator
For more information about EPNG, contact Nils R. Lenz at 813-782-9491 or
NTBC seeking nominations for awards
The North Tampa Bay Chamber is seeking nominations for its 2023 Celebrating Excellence in Business Awards, which will be presented on Nov. 16.
Award categories are: Excellence in Innovation; Excellence in Collaboration; Excellence in Integrity; Excellence in Inclusivity; and Community Hero.
The chamber invites nominations for businesses that have demonstrated excellence in areas such as innovation, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and community involvement, according to a chamber news release. Self-nominations are encouraged.
Applications are due by Oct. 6. They will be judged by a five-member independent panel between Oct. 9 and Oct. 13. The finalists will be announced on Oct. 27 and the awards will be presented at an event on Nov. 16.
For additional details, visit the chamber’s website at NorthTampaBayChamber.com.
