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Business Digest

Business Digest 07/01/2020

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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.

Business Digest 06/17/2020

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(Courtesy of San Antonio Union)

New credit union CEO
Patricia Sarne has been named the new president and CEO of San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union (SAFCU), according to a news release. The new leader, who succeeds Tim Baldwin, is a familiar face at the credit union. She joined its staff in April 1994. She holds a degree from the University of Maryland and is an alumni of the Southeastern CUNA Management School. She has held diverse roles during her tenure at the credit union. In passing the leadership baton, Baldwin praised the credit union board’s decision. “I know Patty will carry on the commitment of service to our members and our community, and that the credit union could not possibly be in better hands with her leadership and the entire SAFCU team,” Baldwin said, in the release.

Women-n-Charge meeting
Women-n-Charge will meet on June 19 from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The meeting includes lunch and the group will award its four $1,500 grants to women-owned businesses. For more information or to RVSP, call (813) 600-9848, or email .

Vinyl records and CDs
Rocket Records and CDs has opened at 21316 Coakley Lane in Land O’ Lakes. It has a selection of new and used vinyl, including Rock and Country. It also sells turntables, tin signs, vintage beer mirrors, incense, collectibles and other items. For more information email .

Saint Leo offers free webinar
Saint Leo University is offering a free, four-part webinar series to help businesses recover from COVID-19. The courses begin on June 20. They are designed for business owners, managers, and others who need expert advice and insight to restart, reposition, or reimagine their organization. Saint Leo University faculty, members of the Tampa Turnaround Management Association and other regional industry experts will provide operational, financial, human capital, and strategy guidance for small businesses at no cost.

Register at SaintLeo.edu/business-events. For more information, email .

Deadline for new PPP loans
If you haven’t applied for a Paycheck Protection Program loan and you’re interested in doing so, you have until June 30. The program is intended to help small businesses that have suffered from the impacts of COVID-19 by providing loans that can be forgiven, if certain conditions are met. For more information, visit SBA.gov/southflorida.

Business Digest 06/03/2020

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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 .

Businesses seek help during pandemic

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The economy has been flattened by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), and businesses are seeking a way to continue operating or to reopen their doors.

A $2 trillion stimulus package— the largest in the nation’s history — is called the CARES Act, which stands for Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security.

Bill Cronin, CEO and president of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., offered guidance to help businesses seeking to secure financing to recover from the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. (File)

Part of that package is specifically aimed at assisting companies with fewer than 500 employees, said Bill Cronin, CEO and president of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.

“It’s intended to assist small business owners in whatever needs that they have right now. So, once it’s implemented, there’s going to be lots of resources for small business, as well as some nonprofits and also some other types of employers,” said Cronin, who helps recruit and build business growth through the nonprofit economic development agency he leads.

Cronin and Eileen Rodriguez, regional director for the Florida SBDC at the University of South Florida, participated in a Zoom video conferencing session on April 1, with Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore.

“This particular pandemic, has really, I think, taken a lot of people by surprise,” Rodriguez said. “The scope and magnitude of it is so much more than just our normal disasters, which you know, we’re used to the hurricanes. This is a completely different animal. It’s just so huge.”

While various assistance programs are available, getting through the process can be difficult, Cronin said.

“It is confusing, even for us as practitioners, between state, federal and local programs. So, I can’t imagine what it’s like sometimes, as business people, trying to navigate all of these different resources — in a time when it’s challenging enough as it is, with all of these external pressures,” Cronin said.

Mainstreet Billiards, in downtown Zephyrhills, is complying with the state-mandated shutdown. A posting over the weekend on its Facebook Page says “we will get back to it as soon as we can.” It ends the posting with this message by saying, “Help your neighbor if you can! And shop local small businesses to help out your Zephyrhills family. We will get through this together.” (B.C. Manion)

He outlined some of the programs available to help businesses.

“The most popular program that I think most of you are going to be interested in is called the Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP. It is designed for companies that employ fewer than 500 workers,” he said.

In essence, the loan is designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.

SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utilities.

Rodriguez talked about the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program .

“We help small business owners who are currently navigating the loan process.

“We don’t actually make decisions on which loans get approved or denied, but we do work with the independent Emergency Bridge Loan committee that makes those decisions,” she said.

“The team at the SBDC — the entire team — is really working as fast as we can to process all these inquiries and applications that have come in.

“Right now, we’re probably hovering around 4,000, just to give you a sense of the type of volume that we’re looking at,” she said.

“Everybody is trying to move as quickly as possible, to help all of the small businesses that have been affected, which frankly, has been pretty much everybody in the state of Florida, and of course, across the nation.”

The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a brutal effect on the economy. Here is a look at the lack of activity in downtown Zephyrhills, on the Saturday after Gov. Ron DeSantis imposed a Stay-at-Home order for the state of Florida. (B.C. Manion)

Information is changing constantly, Rodriguez added. “Changes occur daily, and I might even say, hourly.”

“What I’m saying right this minute could possibly change in an hour, two hours, this afternoon, tomorrow,” she said.

It’s essential to check officials websites for up-to-the-minute information, she said.

The Florida Emergency Bridge Loan Program was activated on March 16 by the governor’s office.

“They released $50 million for that program. Small businesses can qualify for up to $50,000 in most cases. These are interest-free, short-term loans. And, by short-term, I mean 12 months,” she said.

“Let’s say you would be awarded a loan today. You would have 12 months to pay it off. It’s interest-free for those 12 months. At 12 months and 1 day, if that loan is not paid off, you will have to start paying interest and that interest will be retroactive, back to Day 1.

“This loan does not convert to a long-term loan at that point. It’s still a short-term loan and for all intents and purposes, you will be in default of your loan on that 366th day,” she said.

To apply for this loan, go to FloridaJobs.org, which is the Department of Economic Opportunity’s website. Applications are now being accepted directly through their portal, which was activated on March 23.

Business owners can qualify for both the short-term and long-term loans, she said.

The Small Business Administration also offers an economic injury disaster loan. It allows loans of up to $2 million, and self-employed workers are eligible.

The interest rate is 3.75% for for-profit companies; 2.75% for nonprofit companies.

“This is pretty much considered a working capital loan, again, to help with payroll, with fixed debt, accounts payable, any other bills,” Rodriguez said.

“You don’t have to go through a bank to apply for it. This loan is directly with the Small Business Administration’s disaster assistance program,” she said.

Rodriguez said she has no idea how long it will take for loans to be processed.

“I will tell you that they are overwhelmed, because, again, this is not just a Florida program. That’s a national program, a federal program. They’ve had over 1 million — 1 million — inquiries and applications already.

Pasco Chairman Moore offered some words of support to the small business community.

“You will continue to be the heartbeat in Pasco County,” Moore said.

“We want to see you all get out of this, we want to see you succeed. We want to see everybody working.

“We’re going to get through this,” Moore said. “We’re going to get through this together.”

For more information visit DisasterLoan.sba.gov; SBDCtampabay.com/coronavirus; and, Pasco.edc.com.

Published April 08, 2020

Business Digest 03/18/2020

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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.

Business Digest 03/11/2020

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(Courtesy of Pasco Economical Development Council)

Bravado Pharmaceuticals
Bravado Pharmaceuticals LLC hosted its official grand opening and ribbon cutting on March 2 at its new facility, at 4212 Cypress Gulch Drive in Lutz. Bravado has invested $3 million in the purchase and buildout of the 7,500-square-foot facility and plans to add 20 new jobs over the next few years. The facility will be used for research and for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

 

 

O’Reilly Auto Parts grand opening
O’Reilly Auto Parts, at 3600 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, has set its grand opening for March 11 through March 24, with a customer appreciation day set for March 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. During that celebration, Ashley Atkins, the store manager, is scheduled to present a donation check for $200 to South Pasco Predators Little Scholars, according to a news release.

Wesley Chapel Smiles grand opening
Wesley Chapel Smiles Dentistry has set its grand opening for March 11 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Food and refreshments will be provided and there will be a chance to win a Sonicare toothbrush, according to a release. Those attending will have a chance to meet Archana Shankaraligappa, DDS, and her team.

Dade City chamber breakfast
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce is set to have its monthly breakfast meeting on March 17, beginning with networking at 7 a.m., followed by breakfast and a program at 7:30 a.m. Daniel Mitchell, the SMARTstart Incubator program manager, will be the featured speaker. The breakfast will be at the Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club, at 12900 Lake Jovita Blvd., in Dade City. All tickets must be prepaid. For more information, visit DadeCityChamber.org, or call (352) 567-3769.

CANCELLED: East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group is set to meet on March 24 at 7:30 a.m., at IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City. Nikki Alvarez-Sowles is the scheduled speaker. For more information, contact Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491 or ; or, Vicky Jones at (813) 431-1149 or .

Women Making Strides breakfast
A breakfast is planned for March 24 to honor Alex Sink with a Distinguished Women’s Leadership Award. Sink is Florida’s former chief financial officer.

The agenda for the session includes a conversation on the status of women with Digit Murphy, a Title IX trailblazer and Hall of Fame Women’s Hockey athlete, and Dr. Davina Jones, professor of speech and communications. The event coincides with Women’s History Month.

The breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m., and is expected to wrap up at 9 a.m. It will be held at Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus, at 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Cost is $10 for North Tampa Bay Chamber members and $20 for non-members. For more information and to register, go to NorthTampaBayChamber.com, and click on the events calendar for March.

Access East Pasco
A lunch and panel discussion is set for April 24 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Saint Leo University. The event will give elected officials and business leaders a chance to network and learn about area developments. For tickets, call The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce at  (352) 567 3769, or visit DadeCityChamber.org.

Recent actions by the Pasco County Commission:

  • Approved a rezoning request by Erik David Land Corporation Primera Base Inc.; Second Base Holdings LLC; and Calvary Corporation to allow 400 multi-family apartment units, 100 single-family attached townhome units and a maximum of 150,000 square feet of commercial/retail uses on 79 acres on the east side of Old Pasco Road, about 1,111 feet north of Wesley Chapel Boulevard, near The Grove.
  • Approved a rezoning request by Hayman Fuentes Farmland Trust to allow a master-planned employment center with a maximum of 1.6 million square feet of primary business uses; 30,000 square feet of primary business accessory uses; 500 hotel rooms; 140,000 square feet of support retail/commercial; and, 450 townhomes and/or multi-family on 83.5 acres, north of State Road 54 and east of Bexley Village Drive.
  • Approved a request by SunTrust Bank Inc., to rezone 1.3 acres at the northeast corner of the intersection of Eiland Boulevard and State Road 54 from neighborhood commercial to general commercial. The applicant proposes to redevelop the site with a convenience store and 12-pump gas station.
  • Approved a bid by S.C. Signature Construction Corp., in the amount of $109,914.00 to replace a roof and soffits at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.
  • Approved setting a March 24 public hearing at 1:30 p.m., at the West Pasco Government Center, at 8731 Citizens Drive in New Port Richey, to consider amendments to the county’s ordinance relating to overgrown conditions and other public safety violations. The amendment is in response to complaints by citizens that the current ordinance is not working to protect residents when tracts of land, larger than 1 acre, that have been previously developed. are allowed to go fallow. The complaints came up primarily because of problems with overgrown golf courses.

Business Digest 03/04/2020

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Christopher Durant

Outlet gets new general manager
Simon, a global leader in retail real estate, has named Chris Durant as the new general manager at Tampa Premium Outlets. Durant will manage all day-to-day operations, maintenance, budgeting, and tenant and community relations, according to a news release from Simon. Durant also will oversee security and marketing initiatives at the center.

 

 

 

 

 

Women-n-Charge
 Women-n-Charge plans to meet on March 6, at Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The doors open at 11:15 a.m., for registration and networking; the buffet lunch will be served at 11:45 a.m.; and the meeting will begin at noon. Brian MacNeel is scheduled to speak on the topic of crime prevention. The meeting concludes around 1:30 p.m. For more information and to RSVP, call Judy Nicolosi at (813) 600-9848.

Chamber membership luncheon
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its membership luncheon on March 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at SpringHill Suites Tampa North, Land O’ Lakes, 16615 Crosspointe Run in Land O’ Lakes. For more information, visit GreaterPasco.com, or call (727) 842-7651.

Zephyrhills chamber breakfast
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to have its monthly business breakfast on March 5 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at the Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. For more information, go to ZephyrhillsChamber.org, or call (813) 782-1913.

Dade City chamber breakfast
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly breakfast meeting on March 17, beginning with networking at 7 a.m., followed by breakfast and a program at 7:30 a.m. Daniel Mitchell, the SMARTstart Incubator program manager, will be the featured speaker. The breakfast will be at the Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club, at 12900 Lake Jovita Blvd., in Dade City. All tickets must be prepaid. For more information, visit DadeCityChamber.org, or call (352) 567-3769.

Free business seminars
Pasco Hernando Score offers various free seminars to help entrepreneurs.

SCORE is an organization of volunteers who share their expertise on a wide variety of business topics. If you a new entrepreneur, or encountering a business challenge, they can help.

Here are upcoming seminars, register at PascoHernando.score.org.

  • How to apply for a business loan, March 10 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills
  • Basic QuickBooks, March 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes

Women Making Strides breakfast
A breakfast is planned for March 24 to honor Alex Sink, Florida’s former chief financial officer, with a Distinguished Women’s Leadership Award.

The agenda for the session includes a conversation on the status of women with Digit Murphy, a Title IX trailblazer and Hall of Fame Women’s Hockey athlete, and Dr. Davina Jones, professor of speech and communications. The event coincides with Women’s History Month.

The breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m., and is expected to wrap up at 9 a.m. It will be held at Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus, at 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Cost is $10 for North Tampa Bay Chamber members and $20 for non-members. For more information and to register, go to NorthTampaBayChamber.com, and click on the events calendar for March.

Business Digest 02/26/2020

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BayCare on top 100 list
BayCare Health System has been named one of the best companies to work for in the country by Great Place to Work and Fortune.

BayCare Health System scored high in several categories, leading to its selection for a top 100 list of companies to work for in the country. (Courtesy of BayCare Health System)

BayCare ranked No. 37 on the list, which was based on survey feedback from more than 650,000 employees — rating their workplace on more than 60 different categories, according to a news release from the health care system.

“We’re proud to be named a top workplace in the country for a third year in a row,” Tommy Inzina, president and CEO of BayCare, said in a release. “We’re lucky to have an extraordinary group of team members and physicians working together as one team to provide extraordinary care to our patients and proudly serve our community every single day.”

BayCare received the award for high survey results in many areas, including trust in leaders, respect, fairness and camaraderie. According to Great Place to Work, rankings are based on employees’ feedback and reward companies who best include all employees, no matter who they are or what they do for the organization.

Charter Review Board officers named
The Hillsborough County Charter Review Board has chosen its officers for 2020-2021, and it has selected State Rep. Edwin Narain to serve as chair. He is the first African-American chosen to lead the board.

The Charter Review Board makes recommendations to the Hillsborough County Commission regarding potential changes to Hillsborough County’s charter. The board impanels once every five years and meets monthly for one year.

Tampa metro area affordable
Hillsborough County’s website reports that the annual Cost of Living Index (COLI) report shows that the Tampa metro market is one of the most affordable metros in the United States, with a 2019 average annual index of 90.9.

At 9 points lower than the national average, the Tampa market ranked No. 1 among other competitive markets like Charlotte, Nashville and Atlanta.

Among metros within the state of Florida, Tampa ranked No. 2, just slightly behind Daytona Beach, which has a cost of living of 89.9.

Ribbon cutting
A ribbon cutting is planned at Wathen Tax Service, 5332 Van Dyke Road in Lutz, on Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., according to the calendar of events of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

East Pasco Networking Group
Pasco County Property Appraiser Gary Joiner will be the featured speaker at the East Pasco Networking Group’s March 10 breakfast meeting. The session begins at 7:30 a.m., and is held at the IHOP at 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City.

New SMARTstart app
SMARTstart Pasco has a new tool, the Startup Space app, for Pasco County’s entrepreneurs to connect, communicate and collaborate with each other. Find out more by visiting Facebook.com/SMARTstartPasco/.

North Tampa Bay Chamber breakfast
Julian Mackenzie, the president and CEO of the Museum of Science and Industry, will be the featured speaker at the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce’s business breakfast meeting on March 3 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. Mackenzie will be sharing MOSI’s trajectory and strategic plan for its future on Fowler Avenue. To register, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com, or for more information, call (813) 994-8534.

 

Business Digest 02/19/2020

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(Courtesy of Andy Taylor/Pasco County)

New Firestone opens, off State Road 54
Terrance Martin, store manager for Firestone Auto Care, prepares to cut the ribbon to celebrate the store’s grand opening on Feb. 7. Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore welcomed the store to the community, along with fellow Pasco County Commissioners Jack Mariano and Mike Wells, and members of the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce. Firestone made a $1,000 donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay, which was accepted by regional CEO Chris Letsos. The store is at 25170 Maren Way in Land O’ Lakes.

East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group will have its Feb. 25 meeting at the Palm Tree Acres Clubhouse, with breakfast served for $4. Normally, the group meets at the IHOP on U.S. 301 in Dade City, but the location is being switched because Feb. 25 is Fat Tuesday and IHOP will be having a special pancake day that day. Dr. Randy Stovall will be the featured speaker. For more information contact Nils Lenz, at (813) 782-9491 or ; or, Vicky Jones, at (813) 431-1149 or .

Metro Places job fair
Metro Places is hosting its annual job fair on Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. The event will be in the college’s conference center. More than 30 employers will be looking for applicants. This is an annual event for Connected City in Pasco County.

Learn about MOSI’s future
Julian Mackenzie, president and CEO of the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), will be sharing MOSI’s strategic plan for its future on Fowler Avenue in Tampa, at the North Tampa Bay Chamber breakfast meeting on March 3 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. The session will be at Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. For more information, call (813) 994-8534, or go to NorthTampaBayChamber.com, and click on the events page.

Free business seminars
Pasco Hernando Score offers various free seminars to help entrepreneurs. Here are some of the offerings in March. Register for the seminars at PascoHernando.score.org.

  • Launch your business with YouTube, March 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Hugh Embry Branch Library, 14125 Fourth St., in Dade City.
  • How to apply for a business loan, March 10 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills.
  • Basic QuickBooks, March 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.

Chamber breakfast
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will have its next business breakfast on March 5 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at the Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.

Training grants available
The U.S. Small Business Administration is soliciting applications from nonprofit organizations, state and local agencies, and institutions of higher learning to compete for funding of up to $300,000, to deliver entrepreneurship training to women service members, women veterans and women military spouses.

Up to six awardees will receive a total of $300,000 in grants administered by the SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development to participate in the Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program. The funds will be used to cover the costs of educating women service members and veterans, as well as women military spouses who are interested in starting or currently own a small business.

Eligible organizations should submit applications for the Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program funding opportunity (WVETP-2020-01) through Grants.gov. Applications not submitted via Grants.gov will not be evaluated.

The submission deadline is March 17 at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time.

Music fest coming
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for the Land O’ Lakes Music Festival. The event will feature music from Solar Exposure, Den of Thieves, JT Curtis & The Florida Scoundrels, and Stonegrey. There will be food trucks, vendors and activities. The event is set for March 21 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. Admission is $5; parking is free. The Laker/Lutz News is one of the event sponsors.

Pasco EDC seeks nominations
The Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., is seeking nominations for its 2020 industry awards. The deadline for nominations is April 30. Every year, the Pasco EDC recognizes the achievements of top companies in Pasco County for their technology, innovation, job creation, growth and capital investment in the area. All finalists are interviewed, and the awards will be announced at Pasco EDC’s 34th annual Awards and Trade Show in September.

Industry awards are presented in these categories: Small (1 to 20 employees); medium (21 to 100 employees); large (101-plus employees); and, start-up/new (within 24 months).

For more information about the awards program, reach out to , or visit PascoEDC.com.

Business Digest 02/12/2020

By

(Courtesy of Women-n-Charge)

Women-n-Charge donation
Women-n-Charge, a group that supports professional women in managing their businesses, recently donated $4,000 to local charities. Mary Adele Clark, president of Women-n-Charge, left, stands alongside the recipients: Cheyenne Johnson, CFO for Momma G’s Home for Teens; Stephanie Gradys, intern at Hope Children’s Home; Marianne Thomas, Ph.D., director for One More Child; and, DeDe Grundel, executive director for Friends of Joshua House; and, Katelyn Foster, media producer for Hope Children’s Home. To learn more about Women-n-Charge, visit Women-n-Charge.com.

New cake shop
Miriam’s Cakes has opened a storefront location in Land O’ Lakes at 5132 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The cake shop specializes in wedding and special occasion cakes, as well as cupcakes and cookies. Miriam Ruiz, the owner, has been baking cakes for customers since 2015. This is the first retail location for the Land O’ Lakes resident. Miriam’s daughters, Victoria and Erika, and her husband, Ed, work with her. For more information, call (813) 591-2270, or go to MiriamsCakes.com.

North Tampa Bay chamber coffee
Join peers and colleagues from the North Tampa Bay Chamber for a no-agenda coffee on Feb. 18 from 8  a.m. to 9 a.m., at Buttermilk Provisions, 2653 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. There’s no cost to attend. Bring business cards to share.

WOW-TOO
Clara Rosa, a business strategist and literary consultant, will be the featured speaker at WOW-TOO, a women’s networking group, on Feb. 19 at 8:30 a.m., at the Holiday Inn Express-Trinity, 2125 Corporate Center Drive in Trinity. Online prepay is $5, and the charge is $5 at the door for North Tampa Bay Chamber members and $10 for non-members. For more information and to register, go to the events tab of the chamber’s website, NorthTampaBayChamber.com.

Business celebrations
Here is a look at some recent and upcoming business celebrations, based on news releases or information posted on the websites for the North Tampa Bay, Greater Pasco, Greater Dade City or Greater Zephyrhills chambers of commerce:

  • Raining Berries had its grand opening at 25595 Sierra Centre Blvd., in Lutz, on Jan. 30. The store is franchising in Florida, and will be doing so nationally, soon.
  • Esthetics813 had its grand opening on Jan. 23, at 1051 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.
  • Tampa Surgical Arts held its ribbon cutting on Jan. 30, at 17751 Gunn Highway in Odessa.
  • Atria had its ribbon cutting at its newly redeveloped life guidance memory community on Feb. 6, at 414 E. Chapman Road in Lutz.
  • Firestone Complete Auto Care had a ribbon cutting on Feb. 7, at 25170 Maren Way in Land O’ Lakes.

Upcoming events

  • Signarama has announced plans for a grand opening of a new store, at 14465 N. Dale Mabry Highway, on Feb. 20 at 9 a.m. The 1,500-square-foot store will provide sign and graphic services, as well as branding and messaging solutions. Marcos Assuncao is the latest franchisee to join Signarama.

Pasco EDC seeking nominations for awards
The Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., is seeking nominations for its 2020 industry awards. The deadline for nominations is April 30. Every year, the Pasco EDC recognizes the achievements of top companies in Pasco County for their technology, innovation, job creation, growth and capital investment in the area. All finalists are interviewed, and the awards will be announced at Pasco EDC’s 34th annual Awards and Trade Show in September.

Industry awards are presented in these categories: Small (1 to 20 employees); medium (21 to 100 employees); large (101-plus employees); and, start-up/new (within 24 months).

For more information about the awards program, reach out to or visit PascoEDC.com.

East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group will have its Feb. 25 meeting at the Palm Tree Acres Clubhouse, with breakfast served for $4. Normally, the group meets at the IHOP on U.S. 301 in Dade City, but the location is being switched because Feb. 25 is Fat Tuesday and IHOP will be having a special pancake day that day. Dr. Randy Stovall will be the featured speaker. For more information contact Nils Lenz, at (813) 782-9491 or ; or, Vicky Jones, at (813) 431-1149 or .

Business and education summit
CareerSource Tampa Bay has announced a business and education summit called Vision 2020, which is aimed at understanding the business and education demands for the Tampa Bay job market.

The event will be on Feb. 28, with check-in starting at 7:30 a.m. The summit will include business networking and a continental breakfast at 8 a.m. Registration is required.

The forum is expected to attract more than 250 business, education and community leaders, and will feature industry recognized speakers sharing their insights on the current economic positions and vision for the future of work, according to a CareerSource news release.

Cost to attend is $50. For details on conference speakers and breakout sessions, visit CareerSourceTampaBay.com/vision2020.