Business Digest

Chamber breakfast canceled
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the First National Bank of Pasco, has canceled its Sept. 15 breakfast meeting.

“Even with slightly improving numbers, the safety and comfort level of our chamber members, attendees, volunteers and staff of both the venue and the chamber are paramount,” John Moors, the chamber’s executive director said, in a chamber posting.

“We had provisions to limit the number of attendees and ensure CDC guidelines are followed, but with the uncertainty and planning time, we felt it appropriate, and good leadership, to cancel this event and hope for a successful chamber breakfast in October,” Moors said.

Foundation makes donation
The Wells Fargo Foundation has made a $20,000 donation to the SMARTstart Microloan Fund, which is a program of the Pasco Economic Development Council. During the past decade, Wells Fargo has made 12 donations to the program, for a total of $163,000, according to a Pasco EDC news release. The Microloan Fund supports small businesses and start-ups in Pasco County that are not able to receive loans through traditional means.

“Small businesses are the fabric of our communities,” J. Bradley Smith, a Pasco EDC board member, said in the release. Smith also is manager of the Wells Fargo Pasco East District.

This fiscal year, four microloans have been awarded — to a delicatessen, packaged beverage manufacturer, online home health agency and a gourmet café. The loans totaled $147,500.

“Our SMARTstart program supports Pasco entrepreneurs and small businesses through a variety of resources,” Bill Cronin, president/CEO, Pasco EDC, said in the release. “This donation adds financial support for businesses when they are ineligible for traditional bank loans. The fact that Wells Fargo still sees the value in our small businesses and is willing to help through a private donation speaks volumes to them as strong partners in our community.”

Small business financial assistance
Hillsborough County has paused a business assistance application program — to make a process that’s easier and allows for larger awards.

The assistance is intended to help businesses in Hillsborough that have been affected by the sustained COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, according to a Hillsborough County news release.

The County’s Rapid Response Recovery Program (R3) is being reformatted so that more businesses can qualify for assistance.

The county expected to launch its new Phase 4 program on Aug. 31.

Through the first three phases of the program, the county has been working with more than 3,000 small businesses on requests for nearly $32 million in direct funding.

Phase 4 is designed to expand access to more businesses and increase award amounts, simplify qualifications, and make applications easier. Changes include: Increasing awards to up to $40,000 for operational/working capital expenses to provide an immediate infusion of capital to local small businesses.

The awards will be based the size of the small business, with tiers based on the number of employees. Eligibility has been expanded to businesses established before Jan. 1, 2020.

Applicants who were denied in Phase 1 through Phase 3 may now qualify under the Phase 4 criteria and can simply resubmit their existing application.

Habitat for Humanity help
Wells Fargo Foundation has awarded Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County with a $15,000 grant to build an affordable home in Dade City, according to a Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce posting.

The funding is part of an $8.1 million donation to Habitat for Humanity International for capacity building and direct mission support to build, renovate and repair more than 350 affordable homes across the United States, according to information shared by The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

The grant is provided through Wells Fargo Builds SM and is part of the Wells Fargo Foundation’s $1 billion philanthropic commitment to create more housing affordability solutions by 2025.

New dental office coming
Dr. Jeffrey Barrazueta, DMD, and Samir Barsoum, DMD, soon will offer dental services to the community of Odessa at Dental Care at Starkey Ranch. The full-service, state-of-the-art family dental practice is set to open in a new facility on Sept. 18.

“We are excited to be joining the Odessa community to offer high-quality dental services to families and individuals of all ages,” said Dr. Barrazueta. “Our mission is to provide exceptional experiences to each patient who walks through our doors.”

“Dental health is vital to overall health, so we want to help our patients make the best decisions for their care,” said Dr. Barsoum. “We plan to educate patients on the importance of dental care and encourage them to adopt an ongoing preventative care routine.”

Dental Care at Starkey Ranch is at 2638 Gunn Highway in Odessa. The office is accepting new patients. For more information, call (813) 560-1264, or visit DentalCareAtStarkeyRanch.com.

Job security a big concern, survey says
A new WalletHub survey found that one in three Americans is worried about layoffs.

The survey also found that 74% of people think that Congress should continue to give extra unemployment benefits until the COVID-19 pandemic ends.

The current rate of unemployment is 10.2%, according to WalletHub, which recently released a nationally representative Coronavirus & Labor Day Survey.

The survey also found that 77% of Americans do not trust others to be responsible with social distancing over Labor Day Weekend.

Also, the survey found that half of Americans think they’ve worked harder since the pandemic began.

Black business owners hit hard
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have varied across demographic groups, and black business owners have shown the biggest decline in business activity, according to information released by the Office of Advocacy for the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The number of black people who were working and self-employed in July 2020 was 18.4% lower than in July 2019, while the decline for everyone else was 6.3%, the SBA reports.

Declines have been bigger for black women than for black men, with a decline for black women in July of 19.8% and a decline for black men of 17.6%.

Read the SBA’s “Small Business Facts: Black business owners hit hard by pandemic” to learn more.

Be a Business Development Week presenter
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce is making an open call for programs for its 28th annual Business Development Week, scheduled for Jan. 25 through Jan. 29, 2021.

The week offers professional development opportunities, networking activities, seminars and resource sharing for businesses of all sizes.

There will be presentations in standalone sessions, breakfasts and luncheons.

The theme will be “Pathways to Success.”

Speaking topics this year are human resources, social networking, technology, marketing and health care.

Those who wish to be considered for participation can get details on slots and other information by contacting the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce at (727) 842-7651, (813) 909-2722, or .

Reduce reopening risks
The Pasco Economic Development Council and Florida’s Sports Coast have launched a grant program to cover fees associated with earning Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR Accreditation.

The accreditation means a business has established and maintained a cleaning, disinfection and disease prevention program to minimize risks associated with infectious diseases like COVID-19, creating a safe environment for reopening.
The grant is being supported by the county through $2 million in Pasco CARES Act funding, For more information, visit PEDC.com.

Avalon Park/sitEx to add 1,000 lots
Avalon Park Group/sitEX has announced that is has closed on a 285-acre parcel in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel with D.R. Horton, bringing up to 1,000 additional lots to the community in the next phase called Westgate, according to a news release.

Citizens’ academy applications
If you would like to get an immersive look at how Pasco County government works, apply by Aug. 10 to become a member of the Pasco County Citizens Academy.

This program, being offered for the 10th time, is an educational and entertaining program that gives participants a chance to learn the ins and outs of government through in-person and virtual meetings. The program will follow the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Florida Department of Health social distancing guidelines.

The program includes 10 sessions, which begin in September, with a graduation set for December. A winter session of the program also will be offered, beginning in January, 2021.

Apply by completing an online application: bit.ly/CitizensAcademyApp.

Raining Berries
Raining Berries, a business that opened its first corporate store in Lutz, is bringing its premium açaí bowls, fair trade coffee, and artisanal teas to four more Tampa Bay locations in St. Petersburg, Westshore, Clearwater and the University of South Florida area, according to a news release. The four new locations represent a $2.6 million investment, the release says.

Recent county approvals
The Pasco County Commission has approved numerous actions during recent weeks, including:

• A land use change and rezoning clearing the way for a 218-unit townhouse development on 45.52 acres, off Little Lake Thomas, off U.S. 41. Initially, nearby residents voiced strenuous objections to the project, but the developer agreed to numerous conditions, and by the time the land use and zoning changes were approved, no one spoke in opposition.
• An ordinance that requires people to maintain improved properties by keeping the grass mowed to a height of no more than 8 inches. The ordinance was prompted by complaints about an inactive golf course.
• A reduction in setback requirements for Land O’ Lakes Moose Lodge, No. 1903 Loyal Order of Moose Lodge, on the west side of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, one-fourth mile north of Asbel Road. Plans call for developing the 1.97-acre site into a fraternal lodge.
• An interlocal agreement with the Town of St. Leo to install and maintain a speed table on Dunne Road. Work is expected to be completed within 18 months.
• A request by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc., for on-site consumption and package sales of beer and wine, at the store, located on the south side of Oakley Boulevard, approximately 650 feet east of the intersection of Wesley Grove Boulevard and Oakley Boulevard.
• A change order relating to the construction of the East Pasco Fleet/Transit facility, extending the completion date to Aug. 3.
• A resolution to notify the public of the county’s proposed solid waste rate increase of $7 per equivalent residential unit (single-family) for fiscal year 2021; there’s also a proposed increase in tipping fees of $6.39 per ton for fiscal year 2021.
• Agreed to extend the time to complete the installation of a generator for the pharmacy and medical flooring for the clinic at Good Samaritan Health Clinic of Pasco Inc. The new deadline is Sept. 30, 2021.
• Promoted Brian Hoben to the position of community services director. Hoben had been serving as the public services administrator and as interim community services director.

Achieva Credit Union
Achieva Credit Union is planning a 4,000-square-foot branch in Trinity, near the intersection of Trinity Boulevard and State Road 54. It will be the credit union’s third location in Pasco County. The branch is installing 72 solar panels on its roof, with the goal of absorbing enough sunlight to cover its electricity needs.

Entrepreneur education series
Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., is offering a free class to help entrepreneurs learn 3-D printing and additive manufacturing. The classes are being offered on July 15 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the West Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 4532 U.S. 19, New Port Richey, and on July 22 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 15029 14th St., in Dade City. For more information, visit PascoEDC.com.

Your CBD Store opens in Zephyrhills
Your CBD Store has opened a new location in downtown Zephyrhills, at 38434 Fifth Ave.

Edward Webber, owner of the Zephyrhills’ Your CBD Store, is a former United States Marine and law enforcement officer.

For more information, stop by the store’s Main Street location, or call (813)702-4288. Your CBD Store Zephyrhills provides free customized face masks with every purchase.

Pasco Welcomes Baymar Solutions
Baymar Solutions is investing nearly $2.1 million in an existing facility off of Gunn Highway in Odessa, according to the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.

The company has been in business since 2006 and is expanding its operations and capabilities. They will be hiring five new employees well above the average county wage, according to a news release from Pasco EDC.
“Baymar Solutions is a great addition to that area of the county,” Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, said in the release. “The Odessa and Lutz areas are quickly becoming an attractive place for many companies in the Life Sciences industry. I am excited to watch them grow their business here in Pasco.”
“They are adding quality, high wage jobs to the workforce in an industry our education institutions and training centers heavily focus on,” said Bill Cronin, president/CEO, Pasco EDC, in the release. “We are thrilled to welcome Baymar Solutions to the Pasco County business community.”
The company comes at a time when the Life Sciences industry is rapidly growing in Pasco County

“We are really excited that we can be a part of the incredible growth of the Life Sciences sector in Pasco County, especially during these challenging times. The Pasco EDC has been very helpful in connecting us with some great training incentives and helping us get settled. We are looking forward to helping Pasco continue to grow by hiring professional and highly skilled labor,” Andrew McCutchen, president/CEO, Baymar Solutions, said in the release.

Business incubator coming to The Grove
The Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) has announced it will open a new SMARTstart Entrepreneur Center, with a business incubator, this fall at The Grove in Wesley Chapel.

Plans for the center include 10 private offices, 32 dedicated desks, a coworking lounge, huddle rooms, an executive board room, a digital media studio, and classroom and meeting space. SMARTstart members also will have access to additional entrepreneur support organizations that help small businesses start and grow. Pasco County food entrepreneurs will be able to participate in a pop-up shop at KRATE, a unique shipping container development on site at The Grove. This will be Pasco EDC’s third entrepreneur center in Pasco County.

For more information, visit PascoEDC.com.

Beware of employment scams
A new study by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) states that nearly three-quarters of those who lose money to employment scams are already in financial crisis, and do not have enough income to cover their monthly bills, according to a news release from the BBB.

Also, more than half of people targeted by employment scams (53%) reported being unemployed at the time of the encounter, the release says.

More than half of the scam targets were seeking work-from-home opportunities, according to Melisa Lanning Trumpower, executive director of the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, which produced the report.

“As more people search for flexible employment opportunities following the coronavirus outbreak, they need to know that scammers are out there in force and targeting those most in need,” she said, in the release.

The Employment Scams Report examines findings from an April 2020 survey of 10,670 U.S. and Canadian consumers reporting employment scams to the BBB Scam Tracker. One surprising finding is that 65% of consumers reported that their “job offer” was related to becoming a “warehouse redistribution coordinator” or some similar titles involving the reshipment of packages (which often involves stolen goods).

In many cases, these scammers impersonated well-known retailers like Amazon and Walmart to seem legitimate, posting jobs on major online employment platforms with few prerequisites or requirements, the BBB reports.

Those most at risk for employment scams are students and individuals ages 25 to 34, who were more susceptible and likely to be victimized, and those ages 45 to 54 and 65-plus, who reported higher median dollar losses, the BBB says.

Military spouses and veterans also were more likely to fall victim than non-military consumers, and reported losing significantly more money to employment scams.

“Employment scams don’t just affect those who lose money. For every victim who lost money, at least one other worked without pay, and yet another lost personal information that could lead to identity theft,” Trumpower said.

For tips on how to avoid employment scams, visit BBB.org/EmploymentScams.

Local Aldi opening on June 17
The Aldi store at 2215 Sun Vista Drive, in Wesley Chapel, is scheduled to open on June 17, according to the company website.
NOTE: According to the Aldi website, after The Laker/Lutz News press deadline, the opening date now is tentatively July 1.

Publix stores back to normal hours
In case you hadn’t noticed yet, Publix stores now are open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the pharmacy has returned to regular operating hours, according to a posting on the grocery chain’s website.

The grocer also has suspended reserved shopping hours.

“We do understand some customers prefer to shop when the stores are less crowded. We encourage you to shop during the first hour of the day, when we can better accommodate that need,” the website post says.

New flotation therapy business
Florida Float Spa has opened at 2664 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Suite 101, in Wesley Chapel.

The company provides floatation therapy, Infrared Sauna, Cryotherapy and Electro therapy including compression massage and pulsed electromagnet field (PEMF) mat. The store also offers Replenish IV solutions.

To find out more, call (833) 356-2887 or visit www.floridafloatspa.com.

TRANZACT is hiring
TRANZACT is looking to hire for more than 240 sales positions and is particularly interested in workers from the service, hospitality, tourism and retail industries who have skills that translate well for positions in the insurance sector.

The company is located at 4902 W. Waters Ave., in Tampa. Those interested in more information should visit Tranzact.net/work-with-us/ or email . Interviews are being conducted via video, on an ongoing basis.

Prestigious Presidents Award
Parks Ford was the recipient of the most prominent award from Ford Motor Company — Ford’s Presidents Award. This award is bestowed to the top 1% of dealerships in the United States

The award goes to dealerships that have demonstrated exceptional achievement in customer satisfaction and outstanding sales performance.

The dealership’s president, Ron Parks, explained what the award means to the Parks family, on the dealership’s website.

“I just wanted to give a shout out to our wonderful community who favors us with their confidence and loyalty. It has been our pleasure to provide you with our service you deserve over the years. In doing so, and because of the commitment and dedication of our team, we have received the coveted Ford Presidents Award given to those few dealerships that have attained a high satisfaction rating from their clients. We are committed to continue this same level of service on into the future. Thank you again for favoring us with your business. It is a responsibility we take very seriously,” he said.

Goodwill helps job seekers
Goodwill-Suncoast is offering virtual job services to help as many job seekers as possible at this time of record unemployment. The services are available at a new website, MyJobConnection.org.

After creating a simple account, job seekers will find up-to-date information on community services to help them navigate issues related to unemployment, as well as tools and resources to augment job searches and employment skills.

The site contains access to job boards, resume templates and available online certification courses to help increase employability. The website has a live chat portal that allows Goodwill employment specialists to assist with resume development and other needs. Live chat is available Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.; Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

For a limited time, Goodwill-Suncoast also is offering full scholarships to IT training developed by Google, for applicants age 18 and older. Those completing the five-course curriculum will earn the Google IT Support Professional Certificate.

Anyone interested can login to the My Job Connection website and visit the “Online Training – Certifications” tab.  More information about the scholarship is available by calling (727) 282-4478 or emailing .

Note to readers:  Due to continuing developments regarding coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), readers are encouraged to use the contact information provided for individual events, to determine cancellations, prior to attending. The Laker/Lutz News does not necessarily receive cancellation notifications from the various organizations.

Pasco changes tourism marketing sponsorships
Experience Florida’s Sports Coast (FSC) — Pasco County’s destination management organization — has changed some of its rules for its marketing matching sponsorship program.

The program supports special event organizers and events that have the potential to attract tourists to Pasco County. The 2020-2021 program cycle began on March 16.

As the program cycle begins, the FSC has changed both its pre- and post-event requirements — with the goal of helping applicants to meet requirements needed to obtain the maximum potential funding awarded by the Tourist Development Council.
Here are the changes:

• Applicants must attend a mandatory Marketing Matching Sponsorship Program Workshop on April 1.
• Event host organizations must be previously established for a minimum of two years, with a proven track record of success.
  • Eligible events must be hosted between Oct. 1 and Sept. 30, 2021.
• Event attendees must be encouraged to use hotel rooms in Pasco County.
  • At least one hotel in Pasco County must be promoted on the event website.
  • Event Host Organizations must demonstrate that the event will directly contribute to the promotion of tourism and attraction of overnight visitors to Pasco County, which means they must have an event marketing plan that includes promotions done outside of Pasco County.
  Deadline for applications is June 30.

For questions, call Experience Florida’s Sports Coast at (727) 847-8129, or email Consuelo Sanchez at .

Your CBD Store grand opening
Your CBD Store • Tampa, at 19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Tampa, has scheduled its grand opening for March 18 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., according to a North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce news release. The event will include raffles, food and refreshments, the release says.

Women-n-Charge
Join the ladies of Women-n-Charge at the group’s monthly meeting on April 3 from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The session includes networking, a luncheon and a presentation. The scheduled speaker is Rebecca Sayers, of the Law Offices of Lucas & Magazine, who will address the topic of “Distracted Driving and the Consequences.” Register at Women-n-Charge.com/meetings/. For more information or to RSVP, call (813) 600-9848, or email .

North Tampa Bay Chamber cancellations
In light of continuing developments regarding coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) the North Tampa Bay Chamber has developed a contingency plan, that involves three response levels. Each level progressively raises the containment levels. At level Tier 1, all networking, social and educational events held outside of the chamber’s office will be cancelled through April 17.

Several events scheduled by the North Tampa Chamber of Commerce have been cancelled, in light of the threat of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)

Cancelled events include:

• March 24: Distinguished Women’s Leadership Breakfast
• March 26: Luncheon featuring Kartik Goyani, vice president of operations for Metro Development
• March 29: The Taste of North Tampa Bay
• April 7: Monthly Membership Breakfast
• April 8: Membership Luncheon

Decisions will be made at the conclusion of the April 17 period to determine the future course of action.

Zephyrhills chamber breakfast
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce has its monthly breakfast meeting on the first Thursday of the month at 7 a.m., at Golden Corral, 6877 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. Admission is $8 for members and $10 for visitors. To find out about upcoming speakers, check the chamber’s Facebook events page, or call the chamber at (813) 782-1913.

Greater Pasco Chamber breakfast
Craig A. Laporte is the scheduled speaker for the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s breakfast meeting set for March 20 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. The chamber meets at the Seven Springs Gold & Country Club, at 3535 Trophy Blvd., in Trinity. Laporte will speak on an effort to create a permanent memorial for fallen law enforcement officers, which is planned to be built on the grounds of the Historic Pasco Courthouse in downtown Dade City. To register or to find out more, call (727) 842-7651.

Greater Pasco Chamber luncheon
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its general membership meeting luncheon for April 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at SpringHill Suites Tampa North, Land O’ Lakes, at 16615 Crosspointe Run in Land O’ Lakes. To register or for more information, call (727) 842-7651.

East Pasco Networking Group
Florida State Rep. Randy Maggard and former Zephyrhills Mayor Cliff McDuffie will be the featured speakers at the East Pasco Networking Group’s April 14 breakfast meeting. The session begins at 7:30 a.m., at the IHOP at 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City.