Veteran Symposium
Pasco-Hernando State College will host a Veteran Symposium and grand opening of the Entrepreneurship Innovation Center (ESHIP) on Oct. 27 from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., at its North Campus, 11415 Ponce de Leon Blvd., in Brooksville.
The ESHIP provides training and development solutions for organizations in Hernando County. As part of the Corporate College, the center will present solutions for the growing industry and high demand business needs in Hernando County.
In honor of National Veteran’s Small Business Week, the event will supply veteran entrepreneurs with the support and resources for opening a business:
- 4 p.m.: Reception, networking veterans entrepreneur symposium (B104)
- 4:30 p.m.: Presentations
- 4:45 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Table discussions, entrepreneur resource event (B104)
In addition, there will be a ribbon-cutting in honor of PHSC’s Makerspace at 3:30 p.m.
For information, contact Aaron Ellerman at 727-816-3259 or .
Pasco EDC hauls in nine awards
The Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) garnered nine awards during fiscal year 2023, according to a Pasco EDC news release.
The awards were bestowed to the group from five economic development organizations, for work involving multiple marketing initiatives and strategic partnerships,
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) honored Pasco EDC with four awards in category population over 500,000 at its annual conference in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 19.
A gold rank, the highest honor, was awarded in the Innovation in Economic Development Week category for the Economic Development Week Social Media Campaign. Pasco EDC created a robust campaign sharing its mission and day-to-day activities during IEDC’s Economic Development Week from May 8 through May 12.
In the five-day period, the campaign generated over 1,600 engagements across Pasco EDC’s social media channels and reached more than 15,000 people.
The organization received a silver award in the Digital Media category for the Workforce Wednesday social media campaign, which was created to promote the workforceCONNECT program. Within a year, from November 2021 to November 2022, the number of engagements increased by 334%.
A silver award also was received in the Multimedia/Video Promotion category for the 10 Years of SMARTstart campaign that promoted the SMARTstart program’s 10-year anniversary supporting local entrepreneurs.
Plus, a bronze rank was awarded in the Magazine & Newsletter category for Pasco EDC’s Program Newsletters, a yearlong email marketing campaign specific to each program with different audiences.
The Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC) also honored Pasco EDC with two awards at its annual conference in Orlando, on May 9.
Turner Arbour, senior economic development manager, received the 2023 Toni Jennings Workforce Development Professional Award. Arbour is the youngest recipient of the award, which has been bestowed to a total of 16 people since 2007.
The Innovative Partnership Award recognized the partnership between SMARTstart and the Santander Consumer USA Foundation (Santander).
The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council and the National Association of Counties also honored Pasco EDC with two partnership awards for the East Pasco Incubator Kitchen (EPIK) in collaboration with the Pasco County UF/IFAS Extension and the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners.
150 new jobs coming to Pasco
CAP Realty brokers have sold two Pasco County office properties, and the new owner of one of the buildings expects to bring 150 new jobs to the area, according to a news release.
The former U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office at 9912 Little Road was purchased by 9912 Little Road LLC.
The 45,594-square-foot building, which had been occupied for 20 years as an outpatient clinic, sold for $4.4 million.
Heidi Tuttle-Beisner, broker-owner at Commercial Asset Partners (CAP) Realty represented the seller, Orion New Port Richey FL LLC, in the transaction. The buyer, an affiliate of BoldAge PACE, will operate a state-authorized Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly center from the space, according to the news release.
In addition, a 30,731-square-foot office building at 5642-5652 Meadowlane St., in New Port Richey, has sold for $2.75 million.
Tuttle-Beisner represented the seller, Doyle Farm Family Limited Partnership, in the transaction. Deanna DeCubellis with Paradise West Realty represented the buyer, which is doing business as Bayonet, a plumbing, air conditioning and heating services company that will operate from this location.
The move includes consolidating four properties Bayonet had previously leased or owned in Hudson, Port Richey and New Port Richey, to this one location on Meadowlane Street.
Check permits before rebuilding
Those making repairs in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia are reminded by state and national government officials to be sure to consult with their community’s building or planning department to see if permits are necessary before work can commence, according to a news release.
Officials with the Florida Department of Emergency Management’s office of flood plain management and officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency urge consumers not to rely solely on the contractor’s opinion as to whether permits are required or not.
The property owner is responsible for ensuring that all necessary permits have been obtained – including, if necessary, complying with any flood plain regulations that apply.
Construction must adhere to the Florida building code and to the local flood plain management ordinance.
To find local building contacts, check with your city or county officials.
Consumers also are advised to hire contractors who are licensed and insured.
Residents can look up contractor license information at MyFloridaLicense.com/wl11.asp.
Ribbon-cutting & relaunch
The North Tampa Bay Chamber announced the recent ribbon-cutting and relaunch party of Prepense business solutions, which was held on Oct. 19 at SmartStart at the Grove, 6013 Wesley Grove, Building 2, Suite 202, in Wesley Chapel. The company shared its vision. The event also featured refreshments and networking opportunities.
Homes by WestBay’s two new divisions
Tampa Bay’s largest, privately held homebuilder, Homes by WestBay, has introduced two new divisions in support of its continued growth.
The move will position the homebuilder and its subsidiary, Casa Fresca Homes, for increased market share and expansion throughout Central and Southwest Florida, including sub-markets of Hillsborough and Pasco Counties with expansion to Polk, Hernando, and Marion Counties to the North, and the luxury markets of Manatee and Sarasota to the South with further expansion to Charlotte, and Lee Counties in the next few years, according to a news release.
