Business Digest

Annual chamber meeting
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce will have its annual meeting on Dec. 3 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at the Porter Campus of Pasco-Hernando State College, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. The breakfast will recognize volunteer ambassadors, salute outgoing board members, swear in new board members, install the board chair and include a look ahead to 2020. To register, visit NorthTampaChamber.com. For more information, call (813) 994-853.

Pasco boards reorganize
The Pasco County Commission has elected Mike Moore as its chairman and Mike Wells as its vice chairman. The Pasco County School Board has elected Colleen Beaudoin as its chairwoman and Allen Altman as its vice chairman.

Bill Cronin selected for international board
Bill Cronin, president and CEO of the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., who was elected in October to the board of directors of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), will begin his term on Jan. 1, according to a news release from the Pasco EDC.

“We look forward to Bill Cronin’s leadership as a member of the Board of Directors. His appointment is timely, as IEDC heads to Tampa for the 2020 Leadership Summit. We look forward to having his voice on our board. His new leadership role will ensure great accomplishments in 2020 and beyond,” Jeffrey Finkle, CEcD, president and CEO of IEDC, said in the release.

Planning commission appointees sought
The Hillsborough County Commission is seeking applicants for positions on its Planning Commission. Those interested in applying must be registered voters, living in unincorporated Hillsborough County. Members of the Planning Commission serve 4-year terms. Application forms are  available in the County Commission’s reception area on the second floor of County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., in Tampa. Applications are due by the close of business on Dec. 5.

Learn about SCORE, at WOW
Susan Crane, a SCORE mentor and presenter, will talk about the free services that the organization provides and about its volunteer opportunities a the WOW meeting set for Dec. 6 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Beach House Assisted Living at Wiregrass, 30070 State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel. WOW is a women’s networking group of the North Tampa Bay Chamber. Preregistration and prepayment are encouraged. Online prepay is $5. Pay at the door is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. For more information, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com, and click on the Events tab.

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

Membership luncheon
The North Tampa Bay Chamber monthly membership luncheon will spotlight three nonprofit organizations in the community: The Human Society of Tampa Bay, Oasis Pregnancy Care Centers and Sunrise of Pasco Inc. The luncheon is set for Dec. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Fox Hollow Country Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity. To preregister and prepay, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com, and click on the Events tab. For more information, call (813) 994-8534.

Dade City business breakfast
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce’s business breakfast will be on Dec. 17 from 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., at the Dade City Heritage & Cultural Museum, 14206 U.S. 98 Bypass in Dade City. Call the chamber for more information at (352) 567-3769.

Risk Management for Entrepreneurs
This free session, which is part of the Entrepreneur Education Series, will focus on avoiding, reducing and insuring against threats to your business’ potential success. The session is set for Dec. 18 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the SMARTstart West Entrepreneur Center, 4532 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey. The class is on the first floor. To register, visit PascoEDC.com, and click on the December events tab.

Greater Pasco breakfast meeting
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce membership breakfast is set for Dec. 20 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Seven Springs Golf Club, 3535 Trophy Blvd., in Trinity. To register, visit GreaterPasco.com, and click on the Events page for December. For more information, call (727) 842-7651.

Wesley Chapel Toastmasters
The Wesley Chapel Speaks Toastmasters meets the first and third Monday of each month at the New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., in Tampa. This group seeks to help its members develop and strengthen their public speaking skills, improve their communication and build their leadership skills. Guests can attend two meetings for free; after that, the fee to belong is $55 every six months. Toastmasters is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

Coffee First
Sip a cup of coffee and do some networking on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 8 a.m., at the First National Bank of Pasco, 23613 State Road 54 in Lutz. The event is hosted by the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with First National Bank of Tampa. Enjoy a free cup of coffee and stay for the great company and conversation.

Blanket Drive
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce is helping to spread the word about Blanket Tampa Bay, a 501c3 charitable nonprofit, that is collecting blankets for the homeless and less-fortunate. It has a goal of collecting 2,000 clean, new or gently used blankets. Visit Facebook.com/blanketthehomeless for more information. The blankets will be distributed on Christmas Eve at both locations of Trinity Café. For pickup, call (813) 300-9277.

Skeet range request dropped
A request to allow a private skeet shooting range on a 53-acre property off of Bellamy Brothers Boulevard has been withdrawn.

Dania Vizzi, a champion skeet shooter, had wanted to practice her skills on the property in her quest to make the U.S. team for the 2020 Olympics.

But, she was practicing there before receiving Pasco County’s permission to establish the range, which drew the ire of neighbors and a complaint to the county’s code enforcement division.

At a Pasco County Planning Commission public hearing on Oct. 10, several neighbors said that shooting on the range was disturbing their tranquility and disrupting their way of life.

Both county planners and planning commissioners recommended approval of the request, contingent on a list of conditions.

Matt Newton, an attorney representing applicants Arthur and Doree Vizzi, told planning commissioners that the recommended conditions were cost-prohibitive.

Applicant Arthur Vizzi said the same thing.

But, planning commissioners were not swayed and left the conditions intact.

The Pasco County Commission was scheduled to consider the request on Nov.  5, but the Vizzis withdrew it.

Sponsorships sought
You can enter your company’s float into the parade, be the title sponsor or even sponsor the Santa float in the upcoming 2019 Holiday Street Parade presented by The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Holiday. Deadline for sponsorships is Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. To find out more call (727) 842-7651.

Florida is No. 2 for startups
Comparisun has analyzed business survival rates, business application growth, rate of new entrepreneurs, tax rates, education labor costs and the cost of living to reveal the best states in the country to launch a startup.

According to Camparisun’s findings, Florida came in second, behind Texas. The other states rounding out the top 10, in this order are: Ohio, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, California, North Carolina, Georgia and Oklahoma.

E-Marketing workshop
This free workshop on Nov. 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., looks at how to implement a marketing campaign using the Internet. It is being presented by Pasco Hernando SCORE at SMARTstart East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 15029 14th St., in Dade City. Register at PascoHernando.score.org.

Coffee First
Sip a cup of coffee and do some networking on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 8 a.m., at the First National Bank of Pasco, 23613 State Road 54 in Lutz. The event is hosted by the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with First National Bank of Tampa. Enjoy a free cup of coffee, and stay for the great company and conversation.

Ceramic Garden’s grand opening
The Ceramic Garden, at 19213 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz, is having its grand opening on Nov. 16 and Nov. 17, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. A number of special activities are planned.

The 17-year old company relocated from Northdale and features a relaxing garden atmosphere, several studios for painting pottery, clay (hand-building, sculpture, throwing), and glass art. The company also offers art camps for adults, classes for all ages, workshops, a party room, and afterschool art programs. More information about the company and event can be found at TheCeramicGarden.com.

Aquarium appoints board members
The Florida Aquarium’s Board of Directors has approved Kimberly A. Bruce, as the organization’s new board chair. It also has new board members. They are:

• Douglas Brigman, senior vice president, Raymond James Financial
• Christopher Brandriff, executive director, J.P. Morgan Chase
• John Couris, president and chief executive officer, Tampa General Hospital
• Andrea Gonzmart Williams, owner, fifth generation, Columbia Restaurant Group
• Kyle M. Klement, president and CEO, Klemtek Media
• Craig Kingensmith, president, Coastal Construction of Tampa LLC
• Rita Lowman, president, Pilot Bank
• Larry Shannon Ph.D., president and CEO, Shannon and Associates Consulting
• Lakshmi Shenoy, CEO, EMBARC Collective

Bay Tech expands in Pasco
Bay Tech Industries will invest nearly $1.5 million in building and equipment expansion in Odessa, according to a news release from the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.

Bay Tech Industries has been in the Tampa Bay area for over 30 years, and nearly a decade in Pasco County.

It is operated by Bob Bourassa, president; Rick Seal, vice president; Bob’s son Bobby, general manager and his daughter Amanda, office manager.

The company is investing $1.5 million in a 12,170-square-foot building expansion and new equipment.

The company’s production demands required a larger space.

“We love working with our existing industries in Pasco County, especially veteran-owned, and seeing them grow,” Bill Cronin, Pasco EDC’s president and CEO, said in the release. “It’s rare to see an entire family work together successfully with the typical stresses of running a business, but they have it figured out, they have a great team.”
Bay Tech Industries specializes in machining, milling, welding and fabrication of components for aerospace and defense.

Bourassa served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1971 in Vietnam, and is a Bronze Star recipient. He and his partner started this business because of the history they have in the defense industry, and the company continues to serve that industry.

 

Magnolia Pharmacy open house
Magnolia Pharmacy is now established at 12525 Curley Road in San Antonio, and is hosting an open house on Nov. 2 at 11 a.m., to celebrate. There will be refreshments from local vendors, a meet and greet with the pharmacy owner Shannon Corkrean, Pharm D, raffles and prizes. Everyone is invited. For more information, call (352) 588-3330, or visit MagnoliaPharmacyllc.com.

Influence through social media
Learn how your business can tap into sales, share information and build relationships through social media. Also, learn what to avoid on social media networks. A free workshop will be presented by Jennifer Frasier, of The Creative Stable Inc., at the East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 15029 14th St., in Dade City. The class is on Oct 23 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Women-n-Charge Mini Expo
Members of Women-n-Charge will have their first Mini Expo, in which they will display products and materials highlighting their businesses. The group will meet on Nov. 1 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 and time to network. The cost is $15 for members and $18 for guests who RSVP by Tuesday prior to the meeting. After that, it is  $20 for members and $23 for guests. RSVP by Oct. 29. Register at Women-n-charge.com/meetings/. For more information or to RSVP, call (813) 600-9848, or email .

Economic Development Summit
The East Pasco Economic Development Summit, focusing on agritourism and agribusiness is set for Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel. The keynote speaker will be Holly Bell, director of Cannabis for the Florida Department of Agriculture. There will be a panel discussion on agribusiness and another on agritourism. To register or for more information, go to NorthTampaBayChamber.com, and click on the Events tab.

Women’s Hall of Fame
The Hillsborough County Commission on the Status of Women is now accepting nominations for the 2020 Hillsborough County Women’s Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was created in 2011 to celebrate the achievement of Hillsborough County women who have made significant contributions in such areas as education, business, philanthropy and public service. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Nov. 4. Nomination are available by calling Elizabeth Cardenes at (813) 274-6790.

North Tampa Bay Chamber awards banquet
The 20th annual North Tampa Bay Chamber Awards Gala is set for Nov. 7 at the Tampa Palms Country Club. It begins with a Business & VIP Reception from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is followed by a dinner. For more information about tickets, go to NorthTampaBayChamber.com.

Row House WiregrassRow House Wiregrass, a fitness facility at 28163 Paseo Drive, No. 180, in Wesley Chapel, had an open house celebration on Oct. 22, according to the North Tampa Bay Chamber calendar of events.

Baseball farm grand opening
Coach Ryan Pryor is hosting a grand opening celebration of the Pryor Baseball Farm — an event where friends, family, leagues and members of the media can visit the outdoor training farm. The baseball school is intended to be a place where young athletes can bridge the skill gap to pursue their dreams of reaching high levels within baseball and softball. The grand opening is set for Oct. 26 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about the event, or the facility, call Coach Ryan Pryor at (813) 992-1030, or email .

East Pasco Networking Group
Beth Aker, director of East Pasco Meals on Wheels, and Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells will be the featured speakers at the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast on Nov. 12 at 7:30 a.m., at IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City. For more information, call Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491 or Vicky Jones at (813) 431-1149.

How to Apply for a Business Loan
Learn how to apply for a business loan at this free workshop slated for Nov. 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Hugh Embry Branch Library 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City. The focus is on the individual requirements of the participants, including start-ups, mature businesses, and purchasing of existing businesses. The workshop will cover loan sources for loans ranging from $5,000 to $5 million, and business plans to accompany loan applications.

Basic Quick Books
This free two-hour seminar is aimed at individuals who are planning to start a business, or who have recently started a business, but who have not yet set up an effective record-keeping system. This seminar is an introduction to QuickBooks. It is not intended for advanced users. It will be on Nov. 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the SMARTstart West Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 4532 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey.

43rd annual Holiday Parade
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce is seeking entries for company floats and sponsorships for the 43rd annual Holiday Parade on Dec. 14. To find out more call (727) 842-7651

Blanket Drive
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce is helping to spread the word about Blanket Tampa Bay, a 501c3 charitable nonprofit, that is collecting blankets for the homeless and less-fortunate. It has a goal of collecting 2,000 clean, new or gently used blankets. Visit Facebook.com/blanketthehomeless for more information. The blankets will be distributed on Christmas Eve at both locations of Trinity Café. For pickup, call (813) 300-9277.

Power Gals of Land O’ Lakes
This networking group for women meets on Oct. 17 at 11 a.m., at Pizza Villa, 21501 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive in Land O’ Lakes. The group aims to give women, from all different walks a life, a place to support each other and to build friendships. For more information, go to PowerGals.net.

Hillsborough County job fair
Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy Merman, in association with CareerSource Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Community College, will host her fifth annual County Job Fair on Oct. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at the HCC Dale Mabry Campus, 4001 W. Tampa Bay Blvd.

Employers with hundreds of positions will be at the job fair, which is free and open to the public. For more information, call Angela Lyons at CareerSource Tampa Bay at (813) 930-7836, or email her at .

Real estate seminar
Fitz Real Estate Services will host a free Real Estate Seminar on Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Blazing Saddles Ranch, 10219 Wirt Road in Dade City. The seminar will cover a variety of real estate topics. To RSVP and for more information, call (813) 468-0446, or email .

 East Pasco Networking Group
Cliff Martin, vice president/general manager of Jarrett Ford, Dade City, will be the featured speaker at the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast on Oct. 22 at 7:30 a.m., at IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City. For more information, call Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491 or Vicky Jones at (813) 431-1149.

New craft brewery topic of talk
Anthony Derby, the founder/CEO of Florida Avenue Brewing Co., will be the featured speaker at the North Tampa Bay Chamber’s economic development briefing. He’ll talk about the Seminole Heights craft brewery that’s expanding into Wesley Chapel. The Oct. 24 event is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Hunters Green, 18101 Long water Run Drive in Tampa. For cost and reservations, call (813) 994-8534, or send an email to .

Ribbon cutting for Sports Clips
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce will participate in a ribbon cutting celebration on Oct. 29 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., for Sports Clips of Terra Bella, 23683 State Road 54 in Lutz. The ribbon cutting is set for 5 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Zephyrhills Chamber breakfast
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce has its monthly business breakfast on the first Thursday of the month at 7 a.m., at the Golden Corral, 6877 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. Admission is $8 for members and $10 for visitors.

Christmas Parade applications
Deadline for entry in the Dade City Christmas Parade is Nov. 11. Applications are available online at DadeCityChamber.org. For more information, call (352) 567-3769.

Taxes on transient rentals
The Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office soon will collect Tourist Development Taxes on transient rentals. The tax collector’s office began accepting registrations on Oct. 1 from all who are required to collect the 4% tourist development tax on transient rentals. Starting Nov. 1, the  tourist development tax must be reported and remitted to the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office online though the Tourist Express system, Pasco.county-taxes.com/tourist or by mail only, according to a news release from the tax collector’s office.

For detailed information regarding the tax, documents that must be filed and/ or any questions regarding the tax, visit PascoTaxes.com/tdt/ or call the tax department at (352) 518-5097, or email .

Tax implications
Learn more about the tax implications for small businesses at a seminar presented Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon. The seminar discusses how to create federal and Florida business entities. It also discusses state and local licensing requirements, as well as employment, state and federal taxes. The session will be at the SMARTStart West Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 4532 U.S. 19, New Port Richey.

Economic Development Summit
The East Pasco Economic Development Summit, focusing on agritourism and agribusiness is set for Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel. The keynote speaker will be Holly Bell, director of Cannabis for the Florida Department of Agriculture. There will be a panel discussion on agribusiness and the other on agritourism. To register or for more information, go to NorthTampaBayChamber.com, and click on the Events tab.

E-marketing concepts
Find out about Internet marketing technologies, such as local search directories, email newsletters, blogs, search engine advertising and other tools to help your company reach customers and communicate your brand. The session is on Nov. 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the SMARTstart West Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 4532 U.S. 19, New Port Richey. The same topic will be covered at a session on Nov. 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the SMARTstart East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 15029 14th St., Dade City.

 

Land O’ Lakes brochure exchange
Join members of the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce at a business card and brochure exchange on Oct. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pizza Villa, 21501 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive in Land O’ Lakes. A special priced  menu is available.

Career Source Pasco Hernando Job Fair
Career Source Pasco Hernando is having a job fair on Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hyatt Place, at 26000 Sierra Center Blvd., in Lutz. This free event gives job seekers a chance to learn about full- and part-time job opportunities.

New Dennis Realty office
Dennis Realty & Investment Corporation held a ribbon cutting and open house on Oct. 1 on Oct. 1, at 37237 Meridian Ave., in Dade City. Dennis Realty, a family-owned real estate company, has been in operation for more than 45 years. It serves customers across Pasco, Hernando, Hillsborough, Citrus and Pinellas counties. The company specializes in residential and commercial real estate, as well as full-service Property Management. It has locations in Lutz, Hernando Beach, Brooksville, St. Petersburg and Dade City.

Chamber coffee social
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce invites its members to a no agenda monthly coffee social, held on the third Tuesday of the month. The next one is on Oct. 15, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Buttermilk Provisions, 2653 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Florida Aquarium receives grant
TD Ameritrade has given Florida Aquarium a $15,000 grant. The grant will be used to support the aquarium’s sponsored admission program for under-served students in Tampa Bay. The program allows the aquarium to deeply discount its rates, as some groups do not have funds to visit the aquarium.

Anniversary celebration
Fresh Health Café is celebrating 10 years in business with some giveaways for customers. The event will be Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at The Shops at Wiregrass, 28139 Paseo Drive, Suite 170, in Wesley Chapel.

WOW Too features Kathryn Starkey
Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey will be the featured speaker at the WOW Too meeting on Oct. 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Express – Trinity, 2125 Corporate Center Drive, in Trinity. The fee is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Pre-registration is encouraged.

Cash King Realty supports Mainstreet Zephyrhills, Inc.
The staff at Cash King Realty Inc. has presented a $2,000 annual sponsorship check to Mainstreet Zephyrhills, Inc. “We are proud to support Mainstreet Zephyrhills, Inc., with this donation to help cover some of the costs of the many downtown events,” Marcus Price, founder and broker at Cash King Realty, said in a news release.

Window-decorating contest
Main Street Zephyrhills invites city businesses to join in a window-decorating contest by Oct. 13, to celebrate the spirit of Zephyrhills High School. Decorate your ground-level storefront window with as much orange and black Zephyrhills High School Bulldog swag, and email your business name, address and photos of your decorations by Oct. 14 to , with the subject line: Go Dogs Window. Main Street’s fans and followers will be asked to comment on and share their favorite window and the business receiving the most interactions will win a $100 Visa gift card. The winners will be announced Oct. 25. Businesses are asked to keep their decorations up through the school’s homecoming on Oct. 25.

Upcoming ribbon cuttings
The North Tampa Bay Chamber is involved with these upcoming ribbons cuttings:

• Haverty’s Furniture Co., 26450 Golden Maple Loop, Wesley Chapel, Oct. 10 at 10 a.m.
• Brick and Minifigs, 28152 Paseo Drive, Suite 140, Wesley Chapel, Oct. 11, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, 26283 Tanic Drive, Wesley Chapel, Oct. 23, from 4 p.m. ribbon cutting; 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., open house. RSVP by Oct. 18.
• Hampton Inn & Suites — Tampa/Wesley Chapel, 2740 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Wesley Chapel, Oct. 24, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Dade City chamber breakfast
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast meeting is set for Oct. 14, from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at AdventHealth Dade City, 13100 Fort King Road, Dade City classrooms 106 and 107. The cost is $10 for members; $15 for nonmembers. Must RSVP and pay no later than by the Thursday (by noon) prior to the breakfast. Go to https://chamberbreakfast.eventhut.com

Power Gals of Land O’ Lakes
This networking group for women meets on Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. at Pizza Villa, 21501 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive, in Land O’ Lakes. The group aims to give women, from all different walks of life, a place to support each other and to build friendships. For more information, go to PowerGals.net.

East Pasco Networking Group
Cliff Martin, vice president/general manager of Jarrett Ford, Dade City, will be the featured speaker on the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast on Oct. 22, at 7:30 a.m. at the IHOP in Dade City, 13100 U.S. 301, in Dade City. For more information, contact Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491 or Vicky Jones, at (813) 431-1149.

Zephyrhills Chamber breakfast

Rodrigo Torres, chief medical officer for AdventHealth Zephyrhills, will be the featured speaker at The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast meeting. He will be talking about how the hospital compares to other Tampa Bay hospitals, and what AdventHealth Zephyrhills is doing to continually improve patient experience.

The breakfast is on Oct. 3 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. The cost is $8 for members; $10 for nonmembers.

Grow your business
This free workshop helps take the mystery out of helping your business grow. It will meet on Oct. 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 15029 14^th St., in Dade City.

Chamber luncheon
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its membership luncheon on Oct. 8 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 or to register, visit GreaterPasco.com

Job Fair
Career Source Pasco Hernando is having a job fair on Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hyatt Place, at 26000 Sierra Center Blvd., in Lutz. This free event gives job seekers a chance to learn about full- and part-time job opportunities.

 Women of Wesley Chapel
Women of Wesley Chapel (WOW) meets from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., on the first Friday of each month, at Beach House Assisted Living and Memory Care at Wiregrass Ranch, 30070 State Road 56, Wesley Chapel. The group is the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce’s women-only networking group. To RSVP, call (813) 994-8534, or email . Prepayment and registration are strongly encouraged.

Women-n-Charge meeting
Women-n-Charge, a networking group for women, meets on the first Friday of the month, from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Plantation Palms Golf Club, at 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. For information or to RSVP, call (813) 600-9848, or email .

Become a SCORE volunteer
Despite its acronym, (Service Corps of Retired Executives) volunteers do not have to be retired or an executive, they simply need the experience and willingness to be able to help small businesses succeed. Current local volunteers have backgrounds in human resources, engineering, accounting, sales, marketing, production and other fields. The needs of the clients the organization serves are even more diverse. To find out more, visit PascoHernando.score.org.

NTBC ribbon cuttings
October will be a busy month for ribbon cuttings involving the North Tampa Chamber of Commerce. These are scheduled through the middle of October:

• Healthy & Fresco: Oct. 3, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., 21539 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive, Land O’ Lakes
• Canterbury Hall Private Chef: Oct. 4, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., 15102 Amberly Drive, Tampa
• Haverty’s Furniture Co.: Oct. 10, 10 a.m., 26450 Golden Maple Loop, Wesley Chapel
• Parks Ford of Wesley Chapel: Oct. 10, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., 28739 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel
• Bricks and Minifigs: Oct. 11, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., 28152 Paseo Drive, Suite 140, Wesley Chapel

Also, Dash of Salt N’ Pepper LLC will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary on Oct. 15 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at 10353 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite G & H, Tampa.

Networking Group
Shane LeBlanc, director of public works for the City of Zephyrhills and Theresa LeBlanc, advertising manager for the Zephyrhills News, will be the featured speakers at the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast meeting on Oct. 8, at 7:30 a.m., at the IHOP in Dade City, 13100 U.S. 301, in Dade City. For more information, contact Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491 or Vicky Jones, at (813) 431-1149.

Economic report
Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced that Florida added 213,000 private-sector jobs during the first eight months of the year, while maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.3%.

During August, Florida’s annual private-sector job growth rate of 2.8 %, compared to the national average of 1.6%

“We are continuing to make Florida the ideal location for businesses to grow and hire Floridians,” DeSantis said, in a news release.

Private-sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-year were:

• Education and health services: 62,800 new jobs
• Professional and business services: 46,800 new jobs;
• Leisure and hospitality: 23,500 new jobs
• Trade, transportation and utilities: 21,900 new jobs
• Construction: 20,900 new jobs
• Financial activities: 18,700 new jobs

Cancer society ambassador
Jordan Whitehead, safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has partnered with the American Cancer Society as a player ambassador to support patients and their caregivers through their cancer journeys, according to a news release.

The fight against cancer is very personal for Whitehead. His former college teammate, Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma during their time at the University of Pittsburgh, according to the release.

“Watching James go through treatments then to come to practice every day, changed my perspective, Whitehead said, in the release. “He never complained, that touched me and changed my whole outlook.”

As an American Cancer Society player ambassador, Whitehead will support the National Football League’s Crucial Catch initiatives. Through fundraising, education, and awareness initiatives, Crucial Catch focuses on the prevention and early detection of multiple cancers, including breast cancer.

 

Chamber breakfast draws crowd
County Administrator Dan Biles was the featured speaker at The Greater Dade City Chamber Commerce business breakfast at Scotland Yards Golf and Country Club. The San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union was the breakfast sponsor. Shown here, from left: County Administrator Dan Biles, Pasco County Commission Chairman Ron Oakley and credit union CEO & President Tim Baldwin.

Economic briefing
Jamie Wilson, DBA vice president of government relations, will be the featured speaker at the North Tampa Bay Chamber’s economic development briefing on Sept. 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Hunter’s green 18101 Longwater Run Drive in Tampa. He has served as vice president of government relations for Moffitt since 2007. His responsibilities include local, state and federal government relations. To find out more and to RSVP, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com.

Franchise opportunities
Learn about franchises and how to select the right one for you at this free seminar called “Opportunities in Franchises,” presented by Pasco-Hernando SCORE. The session will be on Sept. 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the SMARTstart West Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 4532 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey.

Zephyrhills Chamber breakfast
Rodrigo Torres, chief medical officer for AdventHealth Zephyrhills, will be the featured speaker at The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast meeting. He will be talking about how the hospital rates compared to other Tampa Bay hospitals, and what AdventHealth Zephyrhills is doing to continually improve its patient’s experience. The breakfast is on Oct. 3 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. The cost is $8 for members; $10 for nonmembers.

Wednesday networking
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its Wednesday morning networking meeting on Oct. 2 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at The Lake House at Hungry Harry’s Family BBQ, 3130 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. To register, go to the chamber’s website, GreaterPasco.com.

SWFMD appointments
Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Roger Germann and reappointed Kelly Rice to the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s governing board, according to a water management district news release.

Germann represents Hillsborough County, and Rice represents Citrus, Lake, Levy and Sumter counties.

Germann, of Tampa, is the president and chief executive officer of The Florida Aquarium. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois. Germann is appointed to a four-year term.

Rice, of Webster, is the owner of Prime Property Resources Inc., and the president of Rice Cattle Company. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of South Florida. Rice is reappointed to a four-year term.

Both appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

The volunteer governing board members set policy for the district, which manages the water and related resources of West Central Florida to meet the needs of current and future water users, while protecting the environment.

Growing your business
This free workshop helps to demystify the steps you can take to help your business grow. It will meet on Oct. 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 15029 14^th St., in Dade City.