Central Pasco Chamber Awards
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce gave out its annual awards and had its installation of officers at a banquet June 13 at Heritage Harbor Golf & Country Club.
Award winners were:
–Ambassador of the year: Rene Van Hout, owner/operator of LOL Transport & Moving
–Large business of the year: Pizza Villa
–Small business of the year: Copperstone Executive Suites & Office Space
–New Business of the Year: Christian Brothers Automotive
–Civic/Non Profit of the Year: Oasis Pregnancy Care Centers
Notable winners, selected by those attending the banquet:
–Helping Hand: Cheryl Herman, Lifevantage
–Pit-bull Award and Happy Camper: April Saland, A.L. Saland Insurance Solutions
President’s Awards
— Rocky Contreras, of KnowledgePoints Tutoring and Carla Collier of All Smiles Tampa Bay
Chamber member of the year
–Rene Van Hout
Members of the 2013-14 board of directors are: Dennis Esber, president; Charlene Ierna, president-elect; Mary Lynn Gorsline, secretary; Robin Perez, treasurer; and board members, Gary Loman, Maureen Moore, Larry Delucenay, Kurt Conover, Rocky Contreras, Jorge Santana, Anne Marie Brown, Larry Giannone, Rhonda Buckley, Carla Collier and Jim Charos.
Taylor Morrison building new models
Taylor Morrison has begun construction of three new model homes at Arbor Woods, its newest community in Wesley Chapel, near New Tampa.
The Hemingway design will be the largest model with 4,180 square feet and six bedrooms. The Windover model will be a four-bedroom home with 3,221 square feet and the third model will be the popular Daphene design with three bedrooms and 2,600 square feet of living space. The models are expected to be open this year.
Arbor Woods is on 423 wooded acres, which includes 338 acres set aside for conservation. The project is slated to include 222 single-family homes.
For more information about these model homes or Arbor Woods, call (866) 495-6006 or visit online at www.ArborWoodsTM.com.
Hillsborough announces innovation initiative
Hillsborough County is launching an economic development innovation initiative program. The county is making $2 million available over three years to encourage growth of technology and innovation startups and small businesses.
The program is focused in three strategic areas:
— Support events that increase awareness, attract new talent and create networking opportunities or activities that promote the industry.
— Align county resources more strategically to advocate for the start-up community and support research efforts.
— Provide assistance to nonprofits engaged in incubation, accelerating, mentoring and networking.
To find out more about this initiative, email Stephanie Cvetetic with the county’s economic development department at or call (813) 272-6217.
PEDC announces industry of the year nominees
The Pasco Economic Development Council, Inc., has announced the nominees for its 2013 Industry of the Year Awards.
The awards will be presented on Sept. 4 at the economic development council’s 27th annual banquet, which will be at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel. The event generally attracts more than 600 business, business and community leaders.
This year’s nominees are: Adams Arms, Inc.; Allcraft Marine, Inc.; BallywhoSocial; Big Storm Brewery Co.; Communication Concepts, Inc.; Crown Community Development;
Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel; Florida Hospital Zephyrhills; Goin’ Postal Franchise Corp.; JTD Enterprises, Inc.; The Shops at Wiregrass; Lifedash, Inc.; Lightport, Inc.; Marlin CNG Services; MB2x; Meares Plumbing; MedFleet; Pasco-Hernando Community College; RAMM Recycling Services, Inc.; Sign-A-Rama of New Tampa; Symphonic Distribution; SB Manufacturing, LLC; SEL Engineering Services; Sunshine Christian Homes; and United Way of Pasco County, Inc.
Besides the banquet, the annual event features a trade show, too. The trade show begins at 5 p.m., followed by the awards dinner at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $75 and may be purchased at www.pascoedc.com/events. To participate in the tradeshow, contact Suzanne Renczkowski at or call (813) 926-0827.
Amazon proposes to create 3,000 Florida jobs
Gov. Rick Scott has announced that Amazon has proposed to create more than 3,000 full-time jobs in Florida by the end of 2016.
Amazon has estimated its proposed investment in Florida at more than $300 million.
The company will be determining locations based on the availability of economic development incentives.
Habitat for Humanity launches new partnership
Habitat for Humanity and The National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) have entered into a new partnership that will increase donations to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores thrift stores.
The partnership will provide an easy and efficient way for NASMM members to donate their client’s reusable items.
As senior move manager work with their clients to downsize, Habitat for Humanity ReStores will sell the donated items to provide resources for Habitat’s homebuilding program.
Gulfside Regional thrift shops have Christmas in July
Gulfside Regional Hospice’s Thrift Shoppes will be having Christmas in July sales beginning on July 1 and running through the end of the month.
Christmas items are available at all five locations during this annual event.
Here are the thrift shop locations:
–Dade City Thrift Shoppe, 37925 Sky Ridge Circle, (813) 782-7200
–Hudson Thrift Shoppe, 12154 US 19 in Bayonet Point, (727) 861-4900
–Lutz Thrift Shoppe, 1930 Land O’Lakes Blvd in the Harbour Village Shopping Plaza, (813) 909-0485
–New Port Richey Thrift Shoppe, 6117 SR 54 at the corner of Madison Street and SR 54 in the Elfers Shopping Plaza, (727) 842-7262
–Zephyrhills Thrift Shoppe, 36524 SR 54, (813) 788-5461
All Gulfside Regional Hospice Thrift Shoppes are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and closed on Sunday. Volunteers are always needed at all of the thrift shops; call (800) 561-4883 for volunteer information.
All proceeds from the volunteer-run resale stores are designated to provide care for patients and families facing life-limiting illnesses in Pasco County. For more information about Gulfside Regional Hospice, visit www.grhospice.org <http://www.grhospice.org/> or call (800) 561-4883.
Home sales are up for Ashton Woods
The Tampa division of Ashton Woods Homes sold 239 homes in the fiscal year ending on May 31, representing a 70 percent increase in sales over its 2012 fiscal year. The average price of an Ashton Woods home during the period was $249,364, according to a company news release.
