(Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council)
Health care expansion
The North Tampa Behavioral Health treatment center, at 29910 State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel, has begun a $10 million expansion. Representatives from the Pasco Economic Development Council, The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and the North Tampa Behavioral Center gathered for the Aug. 22 groundbreaking on the 27,500-square-foot expansion project. The project will add 24 beds to the facility’s current 75-bed capacity, and will result in 50 additional jobs. Construction is expected to take about nine months.
The center treats a range of behavioral issues including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. The first phase is for North Tampa Behavioral Health’s C.O.R.E. program, which aids the veteran’s population. The acronym stands for Challenge, Overcome, Restore, Empower.
The Pasco EDC helped expedite the permitting process to get the project started.
Business sponsors needed
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is seeking business sponsors for its Student of the Month program, which has promoted academic excellence and citizenship for more than 20 years.
Area schools choose one student each month from September through May to receive a trophy and T-shirt recognizing the student’s achievement. The name of the sponsoring business is on the T-shirt. Typically, schools invite a representative of the business to visit the school each month and present the award.
The program is growing and needs more sponsors. The chamber also supports other programs as well, including Turnaround Student awards and Peer Mediator teams.
For information, contact the chamber at (813) 909-2722, or email .
Toastmaster class
Zephyrhills Toastmasters will have a class on public speaking on Sept. 8 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Microtel Inn & Suites, 7839 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.
Overcome your fear of public speaking and deliver more dynamic presentations.
For information, contact Sam Abrahani at (813) 863-4608 or .
Industry awards
The Pasco Economic Development Council will host its 30th annual Appreciation Banquet and Industry of the Year Awards on Sept. 8 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Saddlebrook Resort & Spa, 5700 Saddlebrook Way in Wesley Chapel.
Nominees for this year’s awards are Bayfront Health Dade City, Bayonet Plumbing Heating and A/C, ComPark 75, Crestmark Pharmacy Services LLC, Dixie Belle Paint Company, First National Bank of Pasco, Global Enterprises LLC, Leggett & Platt Adjustable Bed Group, Marjorie’s Hope, Nicopure Labs LLC, Optimum Plumbing LLC, Premier Community Healthcare Group, Rogers Tower P.A., Southeast Bottling & Beverage Co., Southeast Personnel Leasing Inc., Trxade Inc., and USA Underwriting Solutions of America.
The awards recognize top companies in Pasco County that excel in technology, innovations, job creation, growth, capital investment and community involvement. The annual awards banquet is attended by more than 600 business and community leaders, as well as elected officials.
For information on the event, visit PascoEDC.com/events, or call (813) 926-0827, ext. 226.
Business seminar
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Pasco Economic Development Council to offer a 10-week business seminar, SMARTstart CO.STARTERS, beginning Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Wesley Chapel chamber, 6013 Wesley Chapel Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.
The Saturday classes will help business owners and entrepreneurs validate their ideas and learn how to turn those ideas into reality. Up to 15 slots are available. Online registration must be completed by Sept. 7 at 4 p.m.
For information, call Pasco EDC at (813) 926-0827, ext. 225; the chamber office at (813) 994-8534; or, visit the SMARTstart Pasco Business Incubator website at SmartstartPasco.com.
Central Pasco meeting
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have a general membership meeting on Sept. 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Harbor Terrace Restaurant, at 19502 Heritage Harbor Parkway in Lutz.
Members and guests are welcome.
Guest speaker will be State Rep. Danny Burgess Jr.
The cost is $20 if you RSVP by Sept. 8, or $25 at the door.
For information, call the chamber at (813) 909-2722, or email .
Beer and networking
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will host Tap Tasting Tuesday-Networking and Craft Beer on Sept. 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, at 13020 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa.
The event is open to the public. The cost is $25 for appetizers, beer tasting, networking, drawings and prizes.
For information, contact the chamber at (813) 563-0180 or .
Lunch n learn
SMARTstart Dade City Incubator will have a free Lunch n Learn seminar on Sept. 13 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the SMARTstart Dade City Incubator, at 37837 Meridian Ave., Suite 309, in Dade City.
Confidex Payroll Solutions will offer tips on payrolls and taxes.
To register, or for information, contact the incubator office at (352) 437-4861, or visit tinyurl.com/htrpvph.
Network breakfast
Business Link will have its monthly networking breakfast on Sept. 14 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Wesley Chapel Toyota at 5300 Eagleston Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. Come for tips and networking to strengthen your business. This monthly gathering, held at various locations, provides networking and an information-sharing platform for the small business community. A complimentary breakfast will be provided.
RSVP to Rebecca Gaddis at (352) 588-2732, at ext. 1237.
Happy hour networking
The Watermark at Trinity will have a networking happy hour on Sept. 14 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at 1960 Blue Fox Way in Trinity. Stop by after work and meet colleagues in health care, finance, real estate and law.
The Watermark is an assisted living and memory care community owned and operated by Watermark Retirement Communities.
RSVP by Sept. 12 by calling The Watermark at (727) 597-4082. Or, you may contact Jennifer Naster, sales director for The Watermark, at (727) 514-4925, or .
