Microloan program
gets more support
Pasco County residents Tim and Patricia Tangredi have donated $10,000 to the Pasco Economic Development Council’s microloan program, designed to help small businesses get off the ground.
The Tangredi’s company, Dais Analytic Corp., was a startup in the Rensselaer incubator working on developing fuel cells when it decided to come to Florida in 1998. Pasco County incentives and assistance from the Pasco EDC helped them make the move. Dais Analytic has since grown to more than 25 employees and recently ranked no. 2 on the list of energy companies to watch in Forbes Magazine.
“There is a human side to getting involved in the microloan fund and that is knowing the assistance you are able to provide to deserving business people trying hard each and every day,” said Tim Tangredi. “Just a bit of financial assistance and good professional advice may mean the difference between success and failure.”
The microloan program lends money to small businesses located in Pasco County and offer entrepreneurs free technical assistance and training to help work through the challenges of starting or growing a new business. For more information, call (813) 926-0827.
People skills
Managers can hone their people skills at a seminar on Thursday, March 22 from 8:30-10 a.m. entitled “Why Don’t Your Employees Work As Hard As You?” The workshop is hosted by the Pasco Economic Development Council in conjunction with Career Central and the Pasco Hernando Workforce Board. Kelley Rexroad of krex consulting will lead the seminar at Pasco EDC, 16506 Pointe Village Drive, Lutz. There is a $5 charge for a light breakfast. To reserve a spot, visit www.pascoedc.com/events or call (888) 60-PASCO.
Change at the helm
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce board of directors announces the departure of Executive Director Kathy Dunkley, with appreciation for her 15 years of service. The chamber is seeking a local candidate who is passionate about the Central Pasco community. For information on job qualifications contact the chamber at . Candidates can email a resume and three references to Chamber President Dennis Esber at .
Parade of Homes grows
Nearly 90 model homes by 36 builders in more than 50 Tampa Bay communities will open to the public for the 2012 Tampa Bay Parade of Homes™ running through April 1 in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. This year’s parade boasts a 26 percent increase in entries from last year, and a 70 percent rise from the market bottom in 2009. Parade homes will display the latest designs and housing trends. Model homes will be open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday throughout the parade. For further information about TBBA, call (813) 571-TBBA, or visit www.tbba.net.
Builder acquires area home sites
Meritage Homes will open in four communities by April 1 as it launches a Tampa division, Brian Kittle, vice president of sales for Meritage Homes. The company recently acquired 31 home sites at Wellington Manor in Lutz, in addition to sites in The Estuary at Mobbly Bay in Oldsmar, and Crystal Preserve and Bella Casa in North Tampa. Kittle said Meritage will open model homes in April. For more information, call Brian Kittle at (407) 712-8641 or email .
Commercial Realtors get liaison at Pasco EDC
Tom Ryan is the new economic development manager for the Pasco Economic Development Council, responsible for working with the commercial real estate community to bring new developments, businesses and jobs to Pasco County. He will inform developers of cash incentives, fast permitting and opportunities available in Pasco. Ryan views the EDC as a local resource, adding, “We have a big toolbox.”
Ryan’s experience includes 16 years in commercial real estate in Central Ohio. He said he is excited to work on Pasco County’s behalf: “Our economy is improving and now is the time for new and existing businesses to plan for the future.”
Land sale in Odessa
Ross Realty Group has closed the sale of 14.97 acres on Lutz-Lake Fern Road. The seller was Stearns Bank and the buyer was Martha Korman.
Law firm adds shareholder
The Dade City-based law firm of Johnson, Auvil, Brock & Pratico, P.A., has grown,
Steven C. Pratico as its newest shareholder. Pratico graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 2001. His areas of practice include business and commercial litigation, contract disputes, foreclosure litigation, real estate law, employment law, and general litigation. Prior to law school, Pratico attended Rutgers University and Bucknell University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and economics. He also played football at both schools, and he remains involved with college football as a member of the Outback Bowl’s board of directors and team selection committee. Pratico sits on the bard of the Pasco County Ducks Unlimited chapter, the local arm of the largest non-governmental conservator of wetlands in North America.
Hospice adds interns
Gulfside Regional Hospice has added seven social work interns and one spiritual care intern for the spring semester. The interns will shadow Gulfside staff members to learn about their selected fields. The new social work interns are Kelly Beadle, Cheryl Maximo, Mandy Ronuckeo, Pearl Lamourt, Allana Fernandez, Jennie Pearson Yingling and Lee-Ann Losee, and Tedd Weiser, a spiritual care intern. Seven attend Saint Leo University, while Losee attends the University of North Dakota. Gulfside Regional Hospice serves more than 300 patients daily. For more information, call (727) 845-5707 or visit www.GRHospice.org.
Start a business
The Service Corps of Retired Executives, SCORE, will hold a seminar on “How to Really Start Your Own Business” on Thursday, March 22 at 5:30 p.m. at the New River Branch Library, 34043 SR 54, Zephyrhills. For more information, call (727) 842-4638.
Time to network
The East Pasco Networking Group has lined up speakers for upcoming meetings. On Tuesday, March 27, the speaker will Steve Van Gordon, principal of Zephyrhills High, president-elect of the Zephyrhills chamber and candidate for Zephyrhills mayor. The April 10 speaker is Roberta Cutting, candidate for Pasco circuit court clerk. On April 24, school board district 2 candidate Joanne Hurley will speak, and on May 8, Ron Oakley, county commission district 1 candidate, will speak. The starting time is 8:30 a.m. at the Village Inn, 5414 Gall Blvd.
Stone Creek sales
Mobley Homes has launched sales for the final phase of six townhomes in Stone Creek, a neighborhood of 78 townhomes off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in New Tampa. Stone Creek offers three floor plans ranging from 1,239 square feet to 1,552 square feet from the mid-$100s. The designs – all with water or nature views – provide two and three bedrooms, 2.5 baths and one- or two-car garages. The sales office is 19221 Stone Hedge Drive. For more information call (813) 293-1533 or (813) 416-6579.
Get a business loan
The Service Corps of Retired Executives, SCORE, will hold a seminar on “How to Successfully Obtain a Business Loan” on Tuesday, March 27 at 5:30 p.m. at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway. For more information, call (727) 842-4638.
Women N Charge
April Saland will speak at the next Women N Charge meeting Friday, April 6 on “Top 10 Insurance Myths.” The meeting is at 11:30 a.m. at the Pebble Creek Golf and Country Club.
Hillsborough hires
economic development director
Hillsborough County has hired Ronald D. Barton as director of economic development. As executive director for Jacksonville’s Economic Development Commission, Barton was instrumental in attracting more than 6,400 jobs and $514 million in capital investment. Barton also has worked for the city of St. Petersburg as director of economic development and property management, and as a partner in real estate and hospitality consulting with KPMG. He holds a bachelor of science in real estate from Florida State University, and an MBA with an emphasis on economics from the University of North Florida. He starts March 5 at a salary of $125,000.
Medical assistant hired
Julia Barile has been appointed medical assistant for Florida Cancer Affiliates, a newly formed, community-based medical oncology and hematology practice. Barile comes from Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope, where she served as a medical assistant and phlebotomist. FCA is a partner of Moffitt Cancer Center and The US Oncology Network, one of the nation’s largest community-based cancer treatment and research networks.
