Ribbon cutting
Appliance World, a new member of the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, will have a ribbon cutting on Nov. 19 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 47643 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills. The business sells reconditioned appliances including refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers and dishwashers.
For information, call (813) 312-3885.
Network luncheon
Lunch ‘N Learn with the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the chamber boardroom, at 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 105. The guest speaker will be Thomas Giella, owner of Gear Spinners. He will offer tips on how to make your website and social media deliver a return on your investment.
The cost is $15, with lunch included. Register early, as seating is limited.
For information, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534, visit WesleyChapelChamber.com, or email .
Breakfast meeting
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly breakfast meeting on Dec. 1 from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College, third floor conference center, Room B-303, at the Porter Campus, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.
Cost for chamber members is $15 in advance (register online by 3 p.m., Nov. 27. At the door, the cost is $20 for members and non-members.
For information, call (813) 994-8534, or email . Visit the website at WesleyChapelChamber.com.
Zephyrhills breakfast network
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly breakfast meeting on Dec. 3 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.
The sponsor will be Zephyrhills/Wesley Chapel Ministerial Association.
The cost is $7 for members, and $10 for non-members.
For information, call the chamber at (813) 278-1913, or email .
Holiday networking
WOW, Women of Wesley Chapel, will meet Dec. 4 from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m., in the second floor conference room at the Health and Wellness Center, Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. The event will benefit S.O.C.K.S., an organization that collects socks to give to cancer patients. Come enjoy a holiday-spirited celebration of WOW’s accomplishments in 2015.
For information, call the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce at (813) 994-8534, or visit WesleyChapelChamber.com.
Lutz mixer
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will host an “After Hours Mixer” on Dec. 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at E.L.L.A. Boutique, inside the Lutz Ace Hardware Store, at 18409 U.S. 41 in Lutz. Enjoy refreshments, wine and networking.
For information contact the chamber at (813) 961-2420, email to , or visit NorthTampaChamber.com.
Business Link breakfast
Business Link will have its monthly networking breakfast on Dec. 9 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 our small business community. A complimentary breakfast will be provided.
Please RSVP to Rebecca Gaddis at (352) 588-2732, ext. 1237, or email .
Chamber luncheon
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon on Dec. 10, with check-in at 11a.m., at Brunchies Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch and Catering at 14366 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa. Networking is until 11:30 a.m., when lunch will be served from a select menu.
Dulcee Loehn, coach at FocalPoint Business Performance of Tampa Bay, will explain how to “Change Your Habits and Transform your Business.”
For information, call the chamber at (813) 961-2420, or email .
International award
The Pasco Economic Development Council received a Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award for Business Retention & Expansion-Single Event at this year’s International Economic Development Council Annual Conference.
The award honors the combined efforts of Pasco EDC with community partners, including Pasco County, New Port Richey, and Duke Energy, to keep Applicant Insight in New Port Richey. The company is the city’s largest employer.
“This award serves as a salute to pacesetting organizations like the Pasco Economic Development Council for leading the charge,” said JoAnn Carary, in a press release from Pasco EDC. Carary is chairwoman of International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and president of Saginaw Future Inc.
The IEDC is a nonprofit membership organization serving economic developers.
Representatives of Applicant Insight had begun to search new sites for relocation. But, Pasco EDC representatives met with company officials to discuss issues of concern, including the need for a larger facility, as well as crime and safety.
Instead of relocating, the company signed a lease on a new location in New Port Richey, which keeps 100 high-paying jobs in the area. Applicant Insight has increased jobs by nearly 30 percent with plans to expand in the future.
Job training
CareerSource Pasco Hernando received an $80,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, according to a news release from CareerSource. The funds are from a statewide Sector Partnership National Emergency Grant of nearly $7 million that is targeted at long-term unemployed individuals in health care and manufacturing. The funds will help transition 25 individuals who have been unemployed for longer than 20 weeks. Classroom instruction in manufacturing skills will be offered that will lead to an industry certification. Participants will then be eligible for short-term on-the-job training with a local manufacturer. First enrollments will be in February/March 2016.
For information, visit CareerSourcePascoHernando.com.
SBA award nominations open
The U.S. Small Business Administration is accepting nominations for its 2016 awards competition.
The SBA honors successes of small businesses and small business owners during “National Small Business Week.”
All nominations must be submitted no later than 3 p.m., Jan. 11, 2016.
For information about the awards, please visit SBA.gov/districtoffices.
Business workshops
Copperstone Executive Suites is collaborating with Lane Business Consulting to offer a yearlong intensive program called “The Business Mastery Academy.” Each month, the program includes two on-site workshops, one telephone conference call, and a one-on-one coaching session for each participant. Two business consultants and between 10 and 15 business owners will offer their expertise.
Copperstone Executive Suites is offering 10 to 15 grants of $600 each to business owners who complete an online application and are accepted into the program. The remaining monthly cost for the business owner is $47 per month.
For more information, and to apply for a grant, visit Copperstone.info, or call Copperstone Executive Suites at (813) 298-7363 or Lane Business Consulting at (813) 486-2837.
