Hooters dedicates ninth Habitat for Humanity home
TARPON SPRING – Tampa Bay-area Hooters employees joined Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside on May 29 to dedicate a new home for the Seville Family.
Hooters volunteers Falicity Ozuna, Skylar Daniel, Sunita Persaud and Lesley Price presented the keys, a hammer and a Bible during the ceremony.
This marks the ninth Habitat home sponsored by the Original Hooters and HMC Hospitality Group, which has donated over $875,000 and 2,500 volunteer hours since 2016.
z“It’s been incredible to see the house go from just wood and nails to full walls,” Ozuna said. “Volunteering on this build has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”
Hispanic chamber celebrates 25 years
WELLINGTON – The Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce celebrates 25 years of advocacy, mentorship and economic empowerment.
The chamber has helped grow Hispanic-owned businesses in Florida from fewer than 150,000 to over 600,000.
With Hispanic buying power in the U.S. reaching $1.9 trillion, FSHCC emphasizes the importance of continued investment in Hispanic businesses as a cornerstone of Florida’s economic future.
On the web: fshcc.com
SBA district makes $2.5B in small business loans
MIAMI – The SBA South Florida District Office closed fiscal year 2024 with 4,871 loans totaling over $2.5 billion, making it the top SBA district in the nation for loan volume and total dollars for the second year in a row.
The record was achieved through key programs including the 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program, 504 Loan Program, and SBA Microloan Program, in collaboration with regional lending partners.
Top-performing lenders were recognized:
- TD Bank – Top 7(a) Lender (628 loans, $87M).
- Florida Business Development Corporation – Top 504 Lender (233 loans, $224M).
- Ascendus – Top Microlender (46 microloans, $1.6M).
- Wells Fargo – Top Lender to New Small Businesses (196 loans, $12M).
- SouthState Bank – Top Rural Lender (3 loans, $850K).
“These lenders play a critical role in helping small businesses access the capital they need to launch and grow,” said Malcolm Richards, SBA South Florida District Director.
USPS launches Dog Bite Awareness Campaign
CENTRAL FLORIDA – With more than 6,000 dog attacks on postal workers reported last year, the U.S. Postal Service is spotlighting safety during its 2025 National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign.
This year’s theme, “Secure Your Dog, Keep Deliveries on Track,” emphasizes responsible pet ownership to help protect mail carriers.
Pet owners are urged to keep dogs secured during delivery hours, avoid accepting mail in their presence and teach children not to retrieve mail directly from carriers.
Florida ranks eighth among states with the most dog bites/incidents at 210. Florida has two cities in the top 38: Miami (34th with 17 bites) and St. Petersburg (36th with 15 bites).
North Tampa Bay events
LAND O’ LAKES – North Tampa Bay Chamber will host a Coffee Social.
- Members network during a Coffee Social from 9 to 10:30 a.m. June 18 at Bubba’s 33, 26340 Silver Maple Pkwy., Wesley Chapel.
Visit northtampabaychamber.com for details about the chamber and events.
Greater Pasco events
NEW PORT RICHEY – Greater Pasco Chamber members will host a Land O’ Lakes Brochure Exchange, Chamber on Tap After Hours, Membership Breakfast and other networking opportunities.
- Members trade company literature during the Land O’ Lakes Brochure Exchange from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 12 at SpringHill Suites, 16615 Crosspointe Run, Land O’ Lakes. Members pay $14 for food. Others pay $10 for registration and $14 for food. Register in advance.
- Members network during a Chamber on Tap After Hours from 4 to 6 p.m. June 12 at SpringHill Suites, 16615 Crosspointe Run, Land O’ Lakes. Members get in free. Others pay $25. Register in advance.
- Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano speaks during the chamber’s Membership Breakfast from 8:30 to 10 a.m. June 13 at Heritage Springs Country Club, 11130 Robert Trent Jones Pkwy., Trinity. Members pay $25. Others pay $30. Register in advance.
- The Young Professionals Group holds a kayaking social from 5 to 7 p.m. June 13 at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, 8737 U.S. 19, Port Richey. Single kayak rental costs $20. Register in advance.
- Ambassadors hold their monthly meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 17 at Baby Hughy’s Pizza and Burgers, 1402 U.S. 19, Holiday. Register in advance.
- The Professional Women in Business group meets for networking from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 18 at HCA Florida Hospital Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, Trinity. Members pay $12. Others pay $15. Register in advance.
Visit greaterpasco.com for details about the chamber and events.
East Pasco events
DADE CITY – East Pasco Chamber members will host a Business Breakfast and Coffee & Networking events.
- The chamber hosts a Business Breakfast from 7 to 8:30 a.m. June 12 at Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills. Entry costs $15. Register in advance.
- Members meet up for Coffee & Networking from 8 to 9 a.m. June 13 at the chamber’s Zephyrhills location, 38550 5th Ave., or 8 to 9 a.m. June 17 at the chamber’s Dade City location, 14112 8th St. Register in advance.
Visit eastpascochamber.org for details about the chamber and events.
Quick Hits
- Andy’s Frozen Custard opened a new location last month at 19081 Wingshooter Way in Lutz.
