Duncheon’s Nursery relocates
After 33 years of operating in Land O’ Lakes, Duncheon’s Nursery has moved — but just 8 miles down the road from its original location, on the east side of U.S. 41, also known as Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.
The nursery’s new address is 10420 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.
Moving to the new location allows the company to offer more choices to its customers and creates the opportunity for potential classes, according to a news release from Duncheon’s.
The business was started by Patrick and Donna Duncheon in 1990 with just a few plants on the side of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.
Over the years, it became a bustling garden center with a wide array of plants and garden décor.
For more information, drop by for a visit, check the website at Duncheons.com, or call 813-948-1890.
Commercial permit applications
Pasco County Central Permitting will shift to online applications for commercial permits, effective Oct. 2.
The new process allows permits to be obtained electronically through the county’s PascoGateway portal.
Customers can use the portal to apply for commercial permits, upload digital documents for review, schedule inspections and pay fees online.
Commercial permits include permits for multifamily construction, commercial additions, commercial alterations, commercial plans revisions, commercial phasing and fire.
Applicants must register for an account. For registration instructions, visit our PascoGateway training page. To access PascoGateway, visit MyPas.co/Gateway.
To learn more about Pasco’s Building Construction Services, visit MyPas.co/BuildingConstruction.
Pasco EDC microloan program
The Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) has a microloan program that’s intended to help entrepreneurs secure loans for their businesses when they have been unable to secure traditional bank financing. To find out more, visit PascoEDC.com.
Florida’s semiconductor industry
Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced a $50 million workforce development initiative dedicated to supporting Florida’s semiconductor industry. This initiative dedicates funds through FloridaCommerce and the Florida Department of Education to projects and workforce education opportunities that support semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, and research and development within the military, defense, and space industries.
FloridaCommerce will dedicate $25 million of the money to the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund and the Florida Department of Education will dedicate $25 million through the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program.
Job figures remain healthy
FloridaCommerce has announced that Florida’s unemployment rate remained steady in August, at 2.7%, while the national average climbed three-tenths of a percent to 3.8%. The state’s August figure marks the 34th consecutive month that Florida’s unemployment rate was lower than the national rate, according to a state news release. Florida also extended its trend, which has lasted more than two years, for outpacing the national rate for private sector job growth and labor force growth.
NTBC seeking nominations
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 details, visit the chamber’s website at NorthTampaBayChamber.com.
East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group has announced speakers for the organization’s upcoming breakfast meetings. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month, except for December, at 7:30 a.m., at the IHOP at 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City. Upcoming speakers are:
- Oct. 10: Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller
- Nov. 14: Madonna Wise, local author and retired educator
Contact Nils Lenz at 813-782-9491 or , for more information.
Commerce & Coffee
The North Tampa Bay Chamber hosts Commerce & Coffee on the fourth Tuesday of each month, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., at Raining Berries, 25595 Sierra Center Blvd., in Lutz. It’s a chance for chamber members to network, without an agenda, in a relaxed setting.
SCORE mentors
Businesses needing help can get it from a SCORE mentor, and people with knowledge to share can volunteer to mentor others. SCORE welcomes those needing assistance, as well as those who are able to provide it. Find out more by visiting SCORE.org/pascohernando.
Business Celebrations
These business celebrations were recently held or will be held soon, based on news releases sent to The Laker/Lutz News, or postings on various organization websites:
- Euphoric Ink Studio, 2107 Mariner Blvd., in Spring Hill, will host a grand opening on Sept. 29 at 6 p.m., with food, games, raffles and giveaways, and music by DJ Kue. For more information, visit the tattoo studio on Facebook.
- Esthetics813 had its grand opening celebrations on Sept. 15, Sept. 16 and Sept. 17 at its second location, at 5700 Saddlebrook Way in Wesley Chapel.
- Subaru of Wesley Chapel had its grand opening on Sept. 7, at 26570 Silver Maple Parkway in Wesley Chapel.
- Disruptive Marketing Headquarters hosted its grand opening on Aug. 24, at 9502 N. Florida Ave., Suite B, in Tampa.
- Brightway Insurance had a ribbon-cutting on Aug. 21, at 2470 State Road 54 in Lutz.
- Precious Paws Animal Hospital had a grand opening on Aug. 16, at 326 W. Bearss Ave., in Tampa.
Pasco EDC welcomes Don Anderson
Don Anderson has joined the Pasco Economic Development Council’s SMARTstart team and will manage the new West Pasco Entrepreneur Center in Holiday.
