Business Digest

AltMed Florida opens Lutz dispensary
AltMed Florida, the fastest-growing Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MMTC) in Florida, recently opened three dispensaries in 24 hours, including one in Lutz.

The grand opening in Lutz took place at 21126 State Road 54, Suite 104, on Jan. 24 at 10 a.m. That was followed the next morning by simultaneous openings of dispensaries in Tallahassee and Sebastian.

With 16 dispensaries, AltMed Florida has accelerated its reach and is on pace to open 40 dispensaries statewide, according to a news release.

 

Women-n-Charge
Women-n-Charge will meet on Feb. 7 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, a special Mini Expo this month, and time to network

The cost is $20 for members and $23 for guests.

Register at Women-n-Charge.com/meetings/. For more information or to RSVP, call (813) 600-9848, or email .

Zephyrhills Chamber breakfast
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce has its breakfast meeting on the first Thursday of each month at the Golden Corral, 6877 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. Admission is $8 for members and $10 for non-members.

Tampa builder vice chair of NAHB
John “Chuck” Fowke, a Tampa-based custom home builder with 40 years of experience in the home building industry, was elected as the 2020 first vice chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) during the association’s International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, according to a news release.

As founder and president of Homes by John C. Fowke Inc., he has built hundreds of luxury homes throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Fowke has been active in the NAHB leadership structure at the local, state and national levels throughout his career.

North Tampa Bay coffee social
Join other colleagues and peers in a relaxed networking environment at the North Tampa Bay Chamber’s monthly no-agenda coffee. The next one is Feb. 6 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at SpringHill Suites Tampa North, Land O’ Lakes, 16615 Crosspointe Run in Land O’Lakes. There is no charge to attend. The coffee is held on the first Thursday of each month.

Aligning your company’s core
Learn how to understand and strengthen the team responsible for fostering your business’s growth and success. This class is being offered through the Entrepreneur Education Series, through the Pasco Economic Development Council’s SMARTstart program.

This session will be presented at two locations: SMARTstart West Pasco, 4532 U.S. 19 in Port Richey, on Feb. 19 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and at the SMARTstart East Pasco, 15029 14th St., in Dade City, on Feb. 26 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Go to PascoEDC.com, and click on the events tab to register.

Dade City Chamber breakfast
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly meeting on Feb. 18, beginning with a networking opportunity at 7 a.m., followed by breakfast and a program. The breakfast will be at AdventHealth Dade City, in classrooms 107 and 108, at 13100 Fort King Road. The speaker will be Candie Rainey, senior manager of business development at AdventHealth Zephyrhills and Dade City.

Those attending the breakfast must RSVP and prepay in advance. Visit the chamber’s website, at DadeCityChamber.org, to register.

East Pasco Networking Group
Tim and Pam Proctor, of Sisel International, will be the featured speakers at the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast meeting on Feb. 11 beginning at 7:30 a.m. The meeting is at IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City.

Pasco County government actions
These are some recent actions taken by the Pasco County Commission:

• Approved a conditional use permit for the sale of beer and wine for on-premises consumption at Arepa Mia Café, on the south side of Wesley Chapel Boulevard, about 200 feet west of Pet Lane. The 1,000-square-foot restaurant is in Grand Oaks Square, 26242 Wesley Chapel Blvd., in Lutz.
• Approved a conditional use permit for Mishorim Gold Properties, LP/The Grove at Wesley Chapel for the sale of beer, wine and liquor for on-premises consumption and package sales in conjunction with the operation of a shopping center in a master plan unit development. The property is the east side of Oakley Boulevard and the west side of Interstate 75, about 650 feet north of Wesley Chapel Boulevard. The site contains approximately 167.34 acres.
• Approved the transmittal to State Department of Economic Opportunity a proposed amendment to the future land use element of the county’s comprehensive plan to change the designation on 10.17 acres from retail/office/residential to light industrial. The change would allow light industrial at the corner of U.S. 98 and Old Lakeland Highway.
• Authorized County Administrator Dan Biles, or a designee, to make binding incentive offers for parcels to be acquired in eminent domain proceedings for the Overpass Road/Interstate 75 interchange project.
• Awarded a bid in the not-to-exceed amount of $1,714,562.75 for fiscal year 2020, for the New River Library renovation and addition.
• Approved the Supervisor of Elections’ request to withhold $70,000 from the House District 38 Special Election reimbursement of $198,387.49 to fund a contested Republican Presidential Preference Primary.

North Tampa Bay Chamber luncheon
Sam Beneck, project manager for the Ridge Road extension project, will be the featured speaker at the North Tampa Bay chamber luncheon meeting on Feb. 12 at 11:30 a.m., at the Fox Hollow Country Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity. Prepayment is $20; $25 cash or check at the door; and $30 at the door. For more information, visit the chamber’s website at NorthTampaBayChamber.com.

Bravado Pharmaceuticals to set up in Lutz
Bravado Pharmaceuticals LLC is a new company being established at 4212 Cypress Gulch Drive in Pasco County, according to a release from the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.

Brian McMillan, the Lutz company’s owner and CEO, has 30 years of analytical, formulation and process development experience.

The company is investing $3 million in the purchase and building of a 7,500-square-foot facility, and manufacturing equipment, the release said. The company expects to hire 10 new jobs within the next year and up to 20 over the next three years.

Within three months of opening his company, McMillan was invited to be showcased on “Worldwide Business with Kathy Ireland,” the release said.

Bravado will be developing and manufacturing pharmaceuticals, will be using the facility as a research center, and have relationships with the University of South Florida and University of Florida, Bill Cronin, president and CEO of Pasco EDC, noted in the release.

“The life sciences industry in Pasco County has been rapidly growing over the last few years, and we are thrilled to welcome them to our business community,” Cronin added.

McMillan, in the release, noted: “I love where I live in Wesley Chapel. It has everything I need, so I wanted to be able to work here as well. I live just a couple miles from my business, how great is that?”

Kilted Axe to open in February
The Kilted Axe, a veteran-owned and operated premier indoor axe throwing range, has set an opening date of Feb. 8. The facility — the first of its kind in Wesley Chapel — will offer a casual urban venue giving patrons a chance to experience axe throwing, whether they be part of leagues, attending private parties, doing team building, or as a walk-in. The facility is at 6027 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 208, Wesley Chapel.

New app for SMARTstart Pasco
SMARTstart Pasco is providing a new tool called the Startup Space app for Pasco County’s entrepreneurs. It will help them connect, communicate and collaborate with each other, according to a Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., news release. To download the app, search Startup Space on IOS or Android. For more information, visit PascoEDC.com.

Tampa and Florida make top lists
Tampa landed at No. 97 in a list ranking the 100 best cities in the world. The list was compiled by Resonance, an international consulting firm, according to a Hillsborough County news release. The list examined crime rates, diversity and data from Google, Facebook, Instagram and TripAdvisor to measure the performance and experiential quality of a city. The city’s highest score was in the rankings for the people category, in which Resonance evaluated the diversity of the city’s population.

In another report, Florida ranked No. 1 as the place to retire for 2020. The report by WalletHub ranked Florida second in affordability, fifth in quality of life and 26th in health care, according to the county’s website. WalletHub compared the 50 states across 47 key indicators of retirement-friendliness.

Esthetics813 opens
Eshtetics813 Facial Spa and Medspa, at 1051 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, had a grand opening celebration on Jan. 23, according to the North Tampa Bay Chamber’s events calendar.

East Pasco Networking Group
Bob Hatfield, of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ office, will be the featured speaker at the East Pasco Networking Group meeting on Jan. 28 at 7:30 a.m., at IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City.

How to do a podcast
Learn how to use a podcast to connect with your customers and clients at a hands-on workshop. The session will be at the SMARTstart West Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 4532 U.S. 19 in Port Richey, on Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Go to PascoEDC.com, and click on the events tab to register.

New landscape architecture award
The American Society of Landscape Architects has added a new honor to recognize outstanding and innovative contributions of emerging leaders in the field.

The new category will recognize an individual landscape architect who is early in his or her career, and who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and considerable contribution to the profession of landscape architecture, the prospective recipient’s community, and/or a firm or design team.

To find out more and to enter, go to ASLA.org for details. The deadline for nomination submissions for the 2020 honors program is Feb. 7.

Greater Pasco chamber luncheon
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce general membership luncheon is set for Feb. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at SpringHill Suites Tampa North, Land O’ Lakes, 16615 Crosspointe Run in Land O’ Lakes. The cost is $20 for prepaid registration, members only; $25 for invoiced registration, member; and $30 for nonmembers. For more information, go to GreaterPasco.com, and click on the events tab.

Women-n-charge
Women-N-Charge is a group of professional women who support and assist each other in  managing their businesses more effectively, furthering their professional goals, and promoting their health and financial independence. The group meets on the first Friday of each month, with the next meeting set for Feb. 7, at Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Doors open at 11:15 a.m., with a lunch buffet served at 11:45 a.m., and the meeting to start at noon. Members pay $15 and guests pay $18, if they preregister and pay online.

For more information, go to the group’s website, Women-n-Charge.com, or call (813) 600-9848.

Kathryn Starkey attends trade-deal signing
Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey was among elected officials invited from across the country to attend the signing of the Phase One trade deal between the United States and China, presided over by President Donald Trump and Chinese officials.

“I am excited to watch the benefits of this agreement unfold throughout the country, including in Pasco, where high-wage, skilled manufacturing jobs are beginning to flourish,” Starkey said, in a news release. “I am also grateful that President Trump recognizes the importance of involving county governments in matters like these.  My presence at the White House today is a testament to the Trump administration’s commitment to ensuring all levels of government have a seat at the table.”

Starkey was invited to attend the signing because she is one of 19 government officials sitting on the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee, which provides advice to the United States Trade Representative on commerce affairs affecting state and local governments, according to the release.

Hear about the vision for The Grove
The North Tampa Bay Chamber economic development luncheon will feature a presentation by Mark Gold on the vision for The Grove. Those plans include a family park, an amphitheater for musical performances, a brewery, new restaurants, an indoor adventure facility, beautiful landscaping, and more. The presentation also includes an update on the tenants and Gold’s ideas for his container designs that are intended to attract small, family-owned businesses. The luncheon is set for Jan. 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Pebble Creek Golf Club, 10550 Regent Parks Drive in Tampa. Registration closes on Jan. 22 at 3 p.m.. Cost is $25 at the door for members and $30 for nonmembers. Payment at the door is cash or check only.

Director of stakeholder engagement
The Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., has hired Mike Bishop as its new director of stakeholder engagement, according to a news release.

Bishop, the founder of Big Storm Brewing Co., was selected to fill the newly created post, following an extensive search.

The position fits in with the economic development council’s board and staff’s 2019-2021 WIN 2.0 Strategic Plan, the release says.

Bishop had a career in financial services before founding the first microbrewery in Pasco County.

While at Big Storm Brewing Co., Bishop worked closely with the Pasco EDC as an investor and advocate for economic development in Pasco County.
“Mike created a successful business and grew it from the ground up, right here in Pasco County,” Bill Cronin, president/CEO of Pasco EDC, said in the release.

Bishop’s background as Big Storm’s CEO, chief financial officer, head of sales and head brewer — and his interactions with Pasco EDC through the years, made him “the perfect choice” for his new role, Cronin said.

In his new post, Bishop will seek to enhance the Pasco EDC and Pasco County’s relationships with business leaders. He also will oversee local, national and international event coordination and logistics.

Bishop is a longtime Pasco resident and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of South Florida, with an emphasis in Finance.

 

Girl Scout cookie season kicks off
The Girl Scouts of West Central Florida are kicking off the Girl Scout Cookie season and, this year, there’s a new choice available for patrons. The new Girl Scout Cookie is called Lemon-Ups, and it’s a crispy lemon cookie that carries a message.

This year, the official day for the beginning of cookie booth sales is Feb. 14, through the West Central Florida district, which includes Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sumter counties.

 

 

Tampa Veterans Job Fair
DAV and RecruitMilitary will host the Tampa Veterans Job Fair on Jan. 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Amalie Arena, at 401 Channelside Drive, in Tampa. This free event for veterans, military spouses, transitioning military, National Guard members and Reservists features employers ready to hire.

Webinar series on taxes
This webinar series, entitled “Understanding and Taking Control of Your Federal Income Taxes,” contains three segments, according to a Hillsborough County news release.

The session dates and topics are listed below. Each session is from noon to 1 p.m.

Jan. 16: “What’s Your Tax Rate?”

Jan. 23: “Tax Deductions and Credits”

Jan. 30: “Free Tax Preparation Programs and Resources”

To register and obtain the webinar links, go to the local events calendar at  sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsborough.

For more information, contact Lisa Leslie at or (813) 744-5519, ext. 54143.

Greater Pasco Chamber breakfast
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce general membership breakfast meeting is set for Jan. 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at the Seven Springs Golf & Country Club in Trinity. Cost for the breakfast is $20 members, $30 for nonmembers. For more information, call (727) 842-7651 or (813) 909-2722. To register, go to , and click on the events tab.

Goodwill job fair
Goodwill Temporary Staffing is having a job fair on Jan. 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., to fill openings at the Goodwill store in Wesley Chapel. The job fair will be at the Goodwill superstore, 2390 Willow Oak Drive in Wesley Chapel (off State Road 56 and Interstate 75). The store is recruiting for an assistant sales manager, retail employees and donation processing positions. Full-time and part-time positions are available.

Business development week kick-off luncheon
Michele Smith, a double Olympic Gold Medalist with the U.S. National Team, will be the keynote speaker at the kick-off luncheon for Business Development week. The event is set for Jan. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Spartan Manor, 6121 Massachusetts Ave., in New Port Richey. The cost is $30 for members of the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce and $40 for nonmembers.

For more information, call (813) 909-2722. To RSVP, go to .

Numerous sessions are set up for that week. Check the chamber’s event page for more information.

East Pasco Networking Group
Bob Hatfield, of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ office, will be the featured speaker at the Jan. 28 meeting of the East Pasco Networking Group. The group meets at 7:30 a.m., at the IHOP, at 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City.

Pasco EDC economic luncheon
The Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., will present Robert “Tim” McGee at its annual economic luncheon, which is planned for Jan. 31.

McGee is the director of macro strategy and research for U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management. The event is planned for Hyatt Place Tampa/Wesley Chapel, 26000 Sierra Center Blvd., in Lutz.

To register go to PascoEDC.com, and click on the events calendar tab. Or, for more information, email .

Want to be a better business planner?
You can learn how to guide your company’s daily operations toward its goals and objectives at this free Pasco Hernando Score workshop. The session is set for Feb. 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes. To register, go to PascoHernandoScore.org.

Charitable contributions top $800,000 mark
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s office has raised more than $800,000 for 76 charitable organizations since Fasano created a charitable giving program in 2013. “It was important to me that our office become a place to help people in need,” Fasano said, in a news release. “Many people think of us merely as a location to pay property taxes and renew driver’s licenses. However, due to the hard work of our staff and their commitment to helping those in need, we also are a place where our customers can come and support our Charity-of-the-Month program and other fundraising efforts throughout the year.”

Organizations that have an IRS 501c3 designation and that serve Pasco County are eligible to be considered for the giving program. To find out more, contact Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector at (727) 847-8179 or .

Women-n-charge
Women-N-Charge is a group of professional women who support and assist each other in  managing their businesses more effectively, furthering their professional goals, and promoting their health and financial independence. The group meets on the first Friday of each month, with the next meeting set for Feb. 7, at Plantation Palms Golf Club 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Doors open at 11:15 a.m., with a lunch buffet served at 11:45 a.m., and the meeting to start at noon. Members pay $15 and guests pay $18, if they preregister and pay online.

For more information, go to the group’s website, Women-n-Charge.com, or call (813) 600-9848.

 

Mariano named to regional planning council board
The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council has elected new board officers for 2020, with leaders from Manatee, Pinellas, Pasco and Citrus counties. Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano is new to the board and has been named the planning council board’s secretary-treasurer for the coming year.

 

 

 

 

 

Women-n-charge
Women-N-Charge is a group of professional women who support and assist each other in  managing their businesses more effectively, furthering their professional goals, and promoting their health and financial independence. The group meets on the first Friday of each month, with the next meeting set for Jan. 3, at Plantation Palms Golf Club 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. Doors open at 11:15 a.m., with a lunch buffet served at 11:45 a.m., and the meeting to start at noon. Members pay $15 and guests pay $18, if they preregister and pay online. For more information, go to the group’s website, Women-n-Charge.com, or call Nicolosi at (813) 600-9848.

Using the Internet for business
Learn about e-Business and why to get online at this free session offered by SCORE Pasco-Hernando on Jan. 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the SMARTstart East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 15029 14th St., in Dade City. To register, go to SCORE’s website, PascoHernandoScore.org, and look under upcoming events.

How to value your business
This workshop is designed to help people who are interested in buying a business, or those interested in selling one to assess a fair market price for the company. Key topics covered include financial risks, conservation of value, four methods of valuation, and anticipation of business uncertainties. The free workshop is on Jan. 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the New Port Richey Library, 5929 Main St. To register, go to PascoHernandoScore.org, and look under upcoming events.

Profile by Sanford opens
Profile by Sanford has opened a location in Carrollwood, with a grand opening celebration attended by area business owners, chamber members, family and friends, according to a news release. Profile is a weight-loss and lifestyle program tailored to a person’s DNA. The new store is at 14837 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Carrollwood. For more information, stop by or call (813) 497-7212.

New workforce tool
The Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., has launched a new workforce tool for business in Pasco County. The tool features an option for both businesses and job seekers. On the employers landing page, businesses can view a 3-minute tutorial explaining how to get the most from the site. Additional resources include detailed data and information regarding where Pasco’s future workforce is being trained, how many people are being trained, and the level of training they are receiving, according to a Pasco EDC news release. To find out more, check out WorkforceConnectPasco.com.

North Tampa Bay Chamber luncheon
The North Tampa Bay Chamber monthly membership luncheon is set for Jan. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Fox Hollow Country Club, at 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity. To register and for more information, go to NorthTampaBayChamber.com, and click on the events tab.

Tax implications for small businesses
Learn how to create federal and Florida business entities, find out about state and local licensing requirements, and learn about federal and state employment taxes, such as FICA, FUTA, withholding and reemployment. The free session is on Jan. 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Hugh Embry Branch Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City. To register, go to PascoHernandoScore.org, and look under upcoming events.

Business card exchange
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have a business card and brochure exchange at Pizza Villa, 21501 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive in Land O’ Lakes, on Jan. 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., sponsored by Architectural Signage & Printing. A special priced lunch menu will be available.

 How to Do a Podcast
Learn how to do a podcast on Jan. 7 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the SMARTstart West Pasco Entrepreneur Center, on the first floor of 4532 U.S. 19, in New Port Richey. For more information and to register, check the Pasco Economic Development Council’s website, PascoEDC.com.

COMMON GROUNDS Pitch series
Apply now to take part in SMARTstart’s Common Grounds Pitch series. At each session, two individuals will be selected for a 5-minute pitch and introduce their business idea to the local entrepreneurial community in Pasco County. Each pitch will be followed by a question-and-answer/feedback session with those gathered. The session will be on Jan. 9 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 15089 14th St., in Dade City. For more information and to register, check the Pasco Economic Development Council’s website, PascoEDC.com.

Greater Pasco lunch meeting
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its general membership lunch on Jan. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Springhill Suites Tampa North, Land O’ Lakes, at 16615 Crosspointe Run. Call (727) 842-7651 for more information.

Building a Cyber Wall
Learn about securing your networks, data and business during this session on Jan. 15 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at SMARTstart West Pasco, on the first floor of the building at 4532 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey. For more information and to register, check the Pasco Economic Development Council’s website, PascoEDC.com.

Chambers gear up for big events
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce are gearing up for big annual events, which occur in January.

The Zephyrhills chamber is getting ready for its 10th annual BBQ & Blues Festival, which is set for Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event features a barbecue competition, live blues music, food, a beer garden, a kids zone, a business expo, a car show, a cornhole tournament and a military history museum. Admission is free; parking is $10. The event is held at 5200 Airport Road in Zephyrhills.

The Dade City chamber is gearing up for the annual Kumquat Festival in the heart of historic downtown Dade City. The event, set for Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., features all things kumquat, a car and truck show, a variety of vendors and live entertainment. The events draws visitors from far and wide to experience Old Florida Southern charm.