Lennar’s solar homes
Lennar Homes is building 28 solar-powered homes in Bexley Courtyard, a new community within the Bexley master-planned development in Land O’ Lakes, off State Road 54 at Suncoast Parkway.
Bexley Courtyard, at 17295 Brighton Lake Road, will be the home builder’s first solar-powered community in the Tampa Bay area. Its solar panels are from SunStreet, which uses an advanced solar power technology that produces more renewable energy than most traditional solar panels.
In addition to the solar-powered homes, Lennar will have single-family homes and townhomes with standard energy in other areas of the community.
Bexley Courtyard will have four floor plans with about 1,800 square feet to about 2,500 square feet. The solar energy is included in the price of each home. All equipment comes pre-installed and ready for activation.
Homeowners would pay a fixed monthly fee to SunStreet that never increases based on energy consumption. Energy produced, but not used, is sent to the homeowner’s utility provider. It may be used as a credit, based on the provider’s policies and procedures.
In cases where the homeowner needs more energy than the solar panels produce, additional energy comes from the utility provider. Credits may be used to offset the cost.
Lennar, with SunStreet as partner, has about 200 solar-powered communities nationally. Babcock Ranch, a master-planned community in southwest Florida, for instance, will run mostly on solar energy and will have about 20,000 homes at build out.
Florida, known as the Sunshine State, has lagged other states in solar power.
According to a June 2017 report by Solar Energy industries Association, the state ranks third in solar capacity potential, but 13th nationally for installed solar capacity.
For information, visit Bexley by Newland Communities at BexleyFlorida.com, or Lennar.com.
Lennar joins Pasco EDC
Mark Metheny, Tampa division president of Lennar Homes joined the board of directors of the Pasco Economic Development Council.
Lennar Homes recently joined the Pasco EDC as a corporate council-level investor.
‘’We are happy an industry leader like Lennar recognizes what we are doing for the community and wanted to join us,” said Bill Cronin, in a press release from the Pasco EDC. Cronin is the organization’s president and chief executive officer.
The council’s board is responsible for governing the organization and guiding its economic strategy. It works in partnership with Pasco County in promoting economic growth in the county.
For information, visit PascoEDC.com.
Women-owned businesses
Florida has an estimated one million women-owned businesses that employ nearly 500,000 people, and report nearly $94 billion in revenues, according to the seventh annual State of Women-Owned Businesses Report. The report is commissioned by American Express OPEN, and relies on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Business Owners. The report also looks at relative changes in the Gross Domestic Product, or GDP.
The report analyzes data by industry, revenue and employment size at the national and state levels, as well as the top 50 metropolitan areas.
It also reviews national growth trends over the past 20 years in women-owned businesses. There currently are about 11.6 million women-owned businesses, with nine million people employed, and about $1.7 trillion in revenues.
Nationally, the number of women-owned businesses increased about 114 percent in the last decade, the report found. That’s a growth rate about 2.5 times faster than the national average.
In comparison, all businesses in that same period increased only 44 percent.
Florida is ranked second in growth of the number of women-owned businesses in the past 20 years, with a 208 percent increase. The state is 20th in growth of jobs created by women-owned businesses, with a 34 percent increase; and 26th in revenue growth, with a 96 percent increase.
Equality Connection mixer
Equality Florida will host an Equality Connection Mixer on Nov. 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at The Brass Tap at The Shops at Wiregrass.
The Equality Connection is free and open to the public. It will bring together Equality Florida members, staff and people new to the organization. Mingle, enjoy complimentary appetizers and learn how to get involved with bringing full LGBTQ equality to Florida.
A cash bar also will be available.
Equality Florida is a nonprofit that advocates for a state without discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
For information, visit The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce at WesleyChapelChamber.com, email , or visit EQFL.org/equalityconnection/2017/tampa3.
Zephyrhills mixer
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will host a membership mixer on Nov. 16 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Railroad & Industrial Federal Credit Union, at 36239 State Road 54, in Zephyrhills.
For information, call (813) 782-1913, or email .
Lunch N Learn
A Lunch N Learn Business Forum is scheduled for Nov. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce Porter Boardroom, at 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 105.
The cost is $15 including lunch. Registration is needed, as seating is limited.
For information, visit WesleyChapelChamber.com, or call (813) 994-8534.
Community/Business Expo
Saint Leo University will host a Community & Business Expo on Nov. 16 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Dan Cannon Auditorium, at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, at 36722 State Road 52 in Dade City.
Local restaurants will offer free samples. There also will be exhibitor giveaways, door prizes, and information about the community and area businesses. Two grand prize winners will receive a $350 gift card.
Exhibitor space is available.
For information, visit DadeCityChamber.com.
Reopening at Plantation Palms
Plantation Palms Golf Club, Weddings, Events & Meeting Center will have a grand reopening and ribbon cutting Nov. 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.
The event is free, and family friendly.
There will be complimentary hors d’oeuvres, drink specials, entertainment and door prizes.
To RSVP, call (813) 996-4653, or email .
Hispanic leaders lunch
The Hispanic Business Leaders of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon, open to members and guests, Nov. 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Land O’ lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.
Guest speaker will be Carmen Rodriguez of the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division.
The cost is $20 for chamber members at the door, or $15 if preregistered by Nov. 16. For non-members, the cost is $20, and they can preregister or pay at the door.
Meetings are in English.
