HART names new CEO
The Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) Board of Directors appointed Scott Drainville as HART’s new chief executive officer, according to a news release. The appointment came at the board’s Nov. 6 meeting.
Drainville was named permanently to the post after serving as HART’s interim CEO since April. He joined HART in 2018 as deputy chief of maintenance and went on to serve as chief of maintenance and transportation.
He is a native of East Providence, Rhode Island, and has more than 30 years of public transportation and fleet maintenance experience, according to the HART news release.
Upcoming SCORE webinars
- Unlocking growth — How to scale your solo business: Nov. 16, 1 p.m. ET
- How to transition from W2 employee to employer: Nov. 21, 1 p.m. ET
- How to create a marketing plan for your small business: Nov. 30, 1 p.m. ET
To register for these webinars, go to Score.org/business-education.
Sage Dental opens new locations
Sage Dental recently announced the opening of 27 new practices, expanding its presence in the Southeastern United States. The new list of practices include Sage Dental of Wesley Chapel Specialty Center. The Wesley Chapel location is a newly launched Sage location. Most of the other locations were established after the acquisition of an existing dental practice, according to a news release.
SMARTstart has opening in Dade City
The Pasco Economic Development Council’s SMARTstart program has an opening at its Dade City location. The job posting for the SMARTstart program assistant can be found at PascoEDC.com/pasco-edc-employment-opportunity. The position calls for someone who wants to work part-time and is passionate about helping people to start and expand their businesses.
Business celebrations
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce announced these recent business celebrations:
- Wesley Chapel Post Office had a ribbon-cutting on Nov. 2, at 30124 State Road 54
- StoreRight SelfStorage had a ribbon-cutting on Nov. 8, at 111 Crystal Grove Blvd.
- Viradia Plastic Surgery, grand opening on Nov. 9, at Transformations Building, 2441 Myrtle Lane, in Wesley Chapel. For more information call 813-708-1408, or visit www.viradiaplasticsurgery.com
Hillsborough opens is 2023 Property Tax Roll for collection
Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy Millan encourages property owners to pay their tax bill early in order to receive a discount. Millan’s office announced the opening of the 2023 Property Tax Roll on Nov. 1. More than 575,000 tax notices have been mailed to property owners in Hillsborough County for their 2023 property taxes, according to a news release from Millan’s office.
“This year’s property tax collections are expected to total more than $3.3 billion,” Millan said, in the release. “The money collected by our office is turned around and distributed to the taxing authorities in Hillsborough County to pay for services including fire rescue and law enforcement, and infrastructure such as schools, roads, parks, and utilities.”
The earlier customers pay, the better the discount. Property taxes paid by Nov. 30 receive a 4% discount. If payment is received by Dec. 31, a 3% discount applies. By Jan. 31, there’s a 2% discount and by Feb. 29, a 1% discount.
Taxpayers can pay at the office or can use online payment options by either credit card or by “e-Check,” which is a free electronic payment from your checking account.
Taxpayers also can make partial payments toward their 2023 property taxes, but certain restrictions apply. They also can plan ahead and apply for the installment plan for the 2024 tax season, which allows taxes to be paid in quarterly increments throughout the year and still take advantage of discounts.
For more details regarding the collection of property taxes, discounts, partial payments, or the installment plan, visit HillsTax.org.
Hillsborough seeking development proposals
The Hillsborough County Commission is seeking a master developer to transform a 67-acre site near the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa.
The Hillsborough County board voted on Nov. 1 to seek a request for proposal from developers for a redevelopment plan for the 67-acre site surrounding MOSI, located along East Fowler Avenue, south of the University of South Florida.
The board is seeking creative and competitive proposals from qualified master developers, who have a track record of mixed-urban projects, according to a Hillsborough County news release.
As part of the Uptown Innovation District, proposers are asked to submit innovative and inclusive development plans with a mix of uses including hospitality, entertainment, retail, and public spaces that embrace transit and sustainable mobility, the release says.
The county also hopes to see developers include economic drivers to the mix such as biosciences, life sciences, cybersecurity, and other advanced industries, while capitalizing on the synergy and proximity to the county’s institutional partners such as USF, Moffitt Cancer Center, James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, and Yuengling Center, the release adds.
The county intends for MOSI to remain in its current 7-acre lease site. With MOSI’s plans for a future planetarium and learning labs, there is an opportunity for developers to add to this creative digital space with a commercial A/V or film studio, black box theater, or other performing arts platforms.
Submissions are due in late February, with the board expected to make its selection in Summer 2024.
For additional information on the RFP, visit HCFLgov.net/vendors.
