Business Digest

The rising rate of COVID-19 transmissions has prompted the Greater Dade City of Commerce, 14112 Eighth St., in Dade City, to return to a “mask required for entry” policy. The change took effect on Aug. 2, according to an email sent out by the chamber.

The Pasco Economic Development Council has announced that Merritt Martin, chief of staff to the CEO, external relations for Moffitt, has joined the Pasco EDC’s policy council. That council provides strategic guidance to the nonprofit economic development organization. In other news, David de la Parte, executive vice president and in-house general counsel for Moffitt has joined the Pasco EDC board. Moffitt has announced its plans to open a 775-acre campus in Pasco that will highlight research, lifestyle and treatment, and is projected to create 14,500 jobs in Pasco, according to a Pasco EDC news release.

New website aims to help fill hospitality jobs
The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) has launched a new website, aimed at helping employers to post openings and job seekers to find jobs across all levels of Florida’s hospitality industry.

The website, GreatFloridaJob.com, aims to help make connections between those needing work and those needing workers, according to a news release.

“As the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues and visitor numbers continue to increase, FRLA is supporting the efforts of our industry members in hiring the best talent to join their teams,” Carol Dover, president and CEO of the FLRA said, in a release.

“Florida’s hospitality industry provides exciting, challenging and fun employment options with great opportunity for advancement, and the establishment of a long-term career path, and we encourage all job seekers to consider returning to or joining Florida’s premier industry – hospitality,” she said.

The release says that Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity estimates there are more than 460,000 jobs available across the state, including tens of thousands from entry level to managerial in Florida’s hospitality industry.

Florida’s hospitality industry was devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the travel, tourism and hospitality industries shut down internationally, more than 934,000 of Florida’s 1.5 million hospitality employees were furloughed or laid off, the release notes.

As the industry rebounds, the website is intended to help address labor shortages, while helping job seekers at the same time.

North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon-cuttings
The North Tampa Bay Chamber took part in ribbon-cuttings at these new businesses:

• IV Joint, IV Therapy & Wellness Center, 8628 Hunters Village Road, No. 310, in Tampa. The July 15 event, which included the ribbon cutting, also included free B-12 injections, free oxygen bar, refreshments and tours.
• Oculofacial Surgery & Cosmetic Laser Institute, 24420 State Road 54, in Lutz. The ribbon cutting was on July 14.

Pasco Clerk’s office wins awards
Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles received awards in all seven categories of the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers inaugural Excellence in Best Business Practices last month, according to a news release from the clerk’s office.

The office received awards of excellence in each of these categories:

• Bail Bonds Forfeitures
• Compliance Services
• Confidential Judicial Records
• Guardianship Audit
• Marriage License
• Recording Fundamentals
• Service of Pro Se Documents by Clerk.

Alvarez-Sowles expressed her delight in accepting the awards, the release said. The clerk also said the achievements “represent the work, imagination and dedication” of her deputy clerks.

Learn about hiring and building teams
It’s important to get it right during the hiring process — both for the potential employee and for the employer. Learn more about the ins and outs of hiring and building a team through a free program offered by Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.’s SMARTStart program. To find out more and to register, go to the SmartStart.com website.

Tampa Family Health Center opens new Lutz location
Tampa Family Health Center (TFHC) had a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new location at 1212 E. Bearss Ave., in Lutz.

The event was scheduled for 10 a.m., on July 21.

Services offered at the new 11,500-square-foot health center will include family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, behavioral health, adult and pediatric dental, and retail pharmacy, according to a news release.

“This new medical office will offer personalized, convenient, and affordable services in a growing community,” said Sherry Hoback, president and CEO at TFHC, said in the release. “Not only will it help us better meet the needs of youth and families, it will extend our dedication and commitment to Tampa Family’s mission, which is to provide quality, caring and accessible health care to a culturally diverse community.”

TFHC uses a patient-centered approach to provide a range of integrated health care services under one roof. The new facility is in partnership with Mort Elementary, a Community Partnership School, to provide comprehensive health and wellness services to students, families, teachers and school staff, in addition to the surrounding community. The Bearss Avenue location is designed around the needs of children and families to enhance the overall well-being of patients by alleviating barriers to care, such as having to miss school or work for appointments.

Become a SCORE volunteer
Every year, SCORE volunteers help thousands of entrepreneurs achieve new levels of success. Volunteering at SCORE is a way for you to give back, connect with fellow business owners, and share your knowledge with others. To find out more, visit PascoHernando.Score.org.

New meeting place for ENPG
The East Pasco Networking Group is moving its meetings to a new location. It will begin meeting at the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center, in the Ron Oakley Room, at 7:30 a.m. on July 13. The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will make the move official by having a ribbon cutting that day. Pasco County Clerk and Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles will be the featured speaker at the meeting. The center is located at 6585 Simons Road, in Zephyrhills. For more information, call Nils Lenz, at 813-782-9491 or Vicky Jones at 813-431-1149

Carrollwood Cultural Center hires engagement director
The Carrollwood Cultural Center has hired Ashley Lord to be its director of community engagement.

She will serve as the center’s liaison with other community organizations and will manage the volunteer program

Lord has spent most of her career as an educator, performer, and artist. She is the former program coordinator for the Kids on the Block educational puppetry program that served all the Hillsborough County elementary schools. She also holds credentials to teach music for kindergarten through 12^th grade and drama for sixth through 12^th grade. She also has expertise in expressive arts, dance, dramatic play and sound circles.

The Carrollwood Cultural Center is an arts-based nonprofit located at 4537 Lowell Road in Tampa.

Lord can be reached at 813-922-8167 or at .

Volunteer with Pasco Hernando SCORE
By volunteering with Pasco Hernando Score, you can share your business expertise with local entrepreneurs, expand your professional network and meet other experts in various fields. You can also develop new skills through training. To find out more, email: , or call 727-842-4638.

New director for Pasco Fine Arts Council
Lianna Tatman has been named the new director for the Pasco Fine Arts Council. She is an arts administrator with a specialty in cultural programming and community relations. She holds a master of arts from the University of Buffalo, in Arts Managements. She also has presented internationally on the role of the arts in global issues.

Ribbon Cuttings
This ribbon cutting was presented by the North Tampa Bay Chamber and the Carrollwood Area Business Association:

• Momentum Chiropractic, June 10, 224 E. Bearss Ave.

This ribbon cutting was presented by the North Tampa Bay Chamber:

• Valentino’s Fine Jewelers, June 3, 2300 Grand Cypress Drive, Suite 828, in Lutz.

Celebrating local heroes
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the community’s healthcare workers, first responders and other local heroes for their significant efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The celebration will be June 23, at Spartan Manor, 6121 Massachusetts Ave., in New Port Richey. The event begins with hors d’oeuvres at 5:30 p.m., follow by dinner and the program at 6:30. Tickets are $50 per person but if you purchase your ticket before 5 p.m. on June 16, you receive a $5 discount. Purchase your tickets online at GreaterPasco.com or call 813-909-2722 or 727-842-7651.

Pasco EDC entrepreneur education series
Overcoming the Summer Slump: Learn how to market in slow season. The slow season is a great time to focus on creating valuable content to attract new and existing customers, as, during the busy sales season, you probably don’t have enough time to engage with your audience, expand your brand’s name and grow your reputation in multiple groups of people. This free session is set for June 23, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

To find out more, go to PascoEdc.com.

Greater Pasco Chamber names new board members
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce has announced new board members. Their three-year terms begin on July 1. The new board members are:

• Kirsty Churchill, director of public relations, Gulfside Healthcare Services
• Nick Carideo, manager/operations, Morton Plant North Bay Hospital
• Elle Rudisill, attorney/owner, Elle Rudisill Law Firm
• Julie Rogers, general manager, Progressive Air Systems, Inc.
• Crystal Lazar, president and CEO, Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County