New leader
Pasco Economic Development Council’s board of directors tapped William “Bill” Cronin as their new president and chief executive officer. He will start on Jan. 19.
Cronin will replace John Hagen who retired in October.
For the past year, Cronin has served as economic director for Charlotte, North Carolina. His 25-year career also spans Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, where he has gained experience in business and economic development, international trade, logistics and operations, in both public and private sectors.
He served nine years with Enterprise Florida, specializing in international trade and business development.
The PEDC’s board of directors began a nationwide search in April. The search committee worked with Jorgenson Consulting, a national executive search firm specializing in nonprofit and economic development organizations.
The PEDC is a private, nonprofit organization that guides Pasco County in creation of a sustainable and diversified economy. For information about the PEDC, visit PascoEDC.com.
Lutz gets Planet Smoothies
Planet Smoothies is open at Sunlake Plaza, at 18845 State Road 54, in Lutz. The smoothie shop blends drinks such as Berry Bada-Bing, Lean Green Extreme and Rasmanian Devil. The franchise started in 1995 with one store in Atlanta.
Business challenge
The Pasco Economic Development Council will host its second annual SMARTstart Challenge business pitch competition on Feb. 25 in partnership with Saint Leo University’s student business plan competition. Local entrepreneurs will compete for a combined $10,000 in prize money.
The first-place winner will receive a six-month, on-site membership in a SMARTstart Pasco Business Incubator. There are two, one in Dade City and one in New Port Richey.
More than 20 start-up businesses competed in the inaugural event in 2015.
Applications will be evaluated on measures relating to important elements about the economics of the business and the ability of the applicant to be successful. Other considerations include market potential and research, the uniqueness of the business idea, evaluation of potential partners, financial plan and attractiveness of the business idea.
The application deadline is Jan. 8. Oral presentations of five minutes, with a question and answer period from a panel of judges, will be on Feb. 10. Five or six finalists will be selected for the final competition on Feb. 25.
The finals will be open to the public, with the first-place winner and runners-up announced at a reception following the presentations.
Applications are available online at SmartStartPasco.com.
For information about the challenge, call the SMARTstart Pasco Business incubators at (352) 437-4861, or email .
Doggie daycare opening
The Barkery Boarding & Daycare will have a ribbon cutting and grand opening on Dec. 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 5109 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz. The event is free and open to the public.
For information, call (813) 920-9800, or visit BarkeryBoarding.com.
Primerica ribbon cutting
Primerica will host a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Jan. 5 at 6 p.m., at its new location in Wisteria Plaza, at 6739 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. Owners Lillian and Dave Cucuzza are regional vice presidents of the company that recently moved from Copperstone Executive Suites.
The free event will include refreshments, music and door prizes.
For information, call (813) 929-7722.
Grand opening for spa
The Spa Moritz will host its grand opening on Jan. 6 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 17401 Commerce Park Blvd., in New Tampa.
For information on this free event, call (813) 971-4772, or visit SpaMoritz.com.
Business classes
Pasco Economic Development Council will launch its next Co.Starters program on Jan. 12 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, 7050 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.
The 10-week nationally known business development program helps business entrepreneurs with the insights, relationships and tools to turn business ideas into action. The classes, on Tuesday nights, are offered through the SMARTstart Pasco Business Incubator program.
A facilitator will lead the collaborative process with a small and supportive group of like-minded peers. The goal is to provide an understanding of how to create a sustainable business.
The cost is $295 for the 10-week program.
Preregistration is required.
For information contact Krista Covey, program director, at (727) 478-0670 or (352) 437-4861, or visit PascoEDC.com/incubator/events/co-starters.
Business loan workshop
Pasco-Hernando SCORE Chapter 439 will offer a workshop on “How to Apply for a Business Loan” on Jan. 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Hugh Embry Branch Library, at 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City.
The free workshop will discuss a range of topics on loans from $5,000 to $5 million, including how to select a bank, what do lenders want, buying real estate for your business, and the importance of credit reports and scores.
The SCORE chapter, or Service Corps of Retired Executives, is composed of more than 20 volunteers with business experience.
For information, contact Ken Nadler at (727) 842-4638, or email .
