The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Business Digest

Business Digest 08/07/2019

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Zephyrhills Chamber award nominees
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will host its Membership Appreciation & Community Awards celebration on Aug. 22 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Here’s the list of the 2019 Awards in Excellence Nominees:

Small Business: Bob’s Tire and Auto; Commando’s Pizza; Palm Tree Acres MHC; PuroClean of Zephyrhills; Sittin Pretty Pet Parlor; SONG Printing; Zephyrhills Brewing Company

Large Business: AdventHealth Zephyrhills; Culver’s of Zephyrhills; Golden Corral; K & K Glass; Ryman Construction; Sonny’s BBQ of Zephyrhills; Suncoast Credit Union

Innovative Business: AdventHealth Wellness Center; Elite Soccer Skills Academy; Hemp & Coffee Exchange; Premier Community Health Care; The Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Zephyrhills Executive Office Suites

Economic Development Champion: Beth Aker, Meals on Wheels; Kern’s Family Construction;  Ron Oakley, Pasco County Commission; Steve Spina, retired city manager; Sam Turgeon, Zephyrhills Executive Office Suites

Diamond Award: East Pasco Wheels on Meals; East Pasco YMCA; Elks Lodge BPOE 2731; Pregnancy Care Center; The Academy of Spectrum Diversity; The Church at Chancey Road; The Samaritan Project; The Thomas Promise

Citizen of The Year: Sam Abraham, Moose Lodge; Beth Aker, East Pasco Meals on Wheels; Katy Boyd, AdventHealth Wellness; Lee & Russ Heffelfinger, ABC Pizza; Randy Light, PuroClean; Cliff McDuffie, Zephyrhills Lodge 198; Cliff Moffett, Military Museum; Donna Moyer, Elks Lodge

Leadership in Government: Danny Burgess, executive director the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs; Ken Burgess, Zephyrhills City Council president; Gail Hamilton, CRA director; Bob Hatfield, staff member for U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis; State Rep. Randy Maggard, District 28; Steve Spina, retired Zephyrhills city manager; Gene Whitfield, Zephyrhills Mayor; Zephyrhills City Council & Steve Spina.

Leadership in Youth: Eleanor Cornelius, booster president; Pin Chasers Zephyrhills; Rotary Club Noon; The Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Charla Vande Berg. RBSMS; West Zephyrhills Elementary; Zephyrhills Lions Club; Zephyrhills Little League

Community Service: Tammy Dester, Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Miriam Hansford, AmeriLife; Donna Moyer, Elks Lodge; Rod Rehrig, Marine Corps League; Anna Stutzriem, Main Street Zephyrhills

Chamber Member of the Year: Beth Aker, East Pasco Meals on Wheels; Vicky Jones, Palm Tree Acres; PuroClean of Zephyrhills; Rod Rehrig, Marine Corps League; San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union; Tampa Type & Print

Ambassador of the Year: Beth Aker, East Pasco Meals on Wheels; Cheryl Hinton, Pregnancy Care Center; Randy Light, PuroClean; Tim and Pam Proctor, Sisel

For more information about the banquet, go to ZephyrhillsChamber.org. For more information or to RSVP, call (813) 782-1913.

ABC Fine Wine & Spirits grand opening
ABC Fine Wine & Spirits at 11868 State Road 54 in Trinity will have a grand opening celebration on Aug. 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The store will offer a wine-tasting event, for $10, which features tastings of more than 50 wines and spirits. It also will give customers 10 percent off on their purchases that night.

Upcoming ribbon cuttings
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce has announced the following ribbon cuttings:

  • Mr. Electric of Land O’ Lakes, 2604 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Suite 102, Wesley Chapel; Aug. 14 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Nerds to Go, 19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, Aug. 15 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Morningstar Storage of Wiregrass, 28999 Anise Drive, Wesley Chapel, Aug. 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Olympus Pools, 21859 State Road 54, Lutz, Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Business Digest 07/31/2019

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Women-n-Charge meets Aug. 2
Women-n-Charge, a networking group for women, will meet Aug. 2 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’s theme will be “Summer of Networking, One to One Table Style.”

Members will spend 2 minutes each sharing information and answering questions about their business to other women at their table.

For information on the cost and to register, go to Women-n-charge.com/meetings/. For more information or to RSVP, call (813) 600-9848, or email .

Quality Inn replaces Ramada Inn
The Quality Inn, at 6815 Gall Blvd., has replaced the Ramada Inn, according to a news release from Tina Glinkowski, director of sales.

The bedding and furniture in guest rooms has been replaced, and the new operator will continue to update the property. Features at the hotel include free wireless Internet, an outdoor pool, a 24-hour business center, a free continental breakfast, and meeting space.

Some rooms in the hotel are pet-friendly, for which there is an extra charge.

Fairy hair extensions offered
Fairy House Studio at 1418 Julie Lagoon Road in Lutz is offering fairy hair extensions.

Fairy hair is a lightweight reflective thread that is woven into your hair to create a magical sparkly look. Fairy hair is great for all ages and can be used on all types of hair, long or short, curly or straight, treated or colored. Fairy hair lasts from a few days to months.

The studio is operated by Nataly India.

For more information call or text (813)728-4325, or visit FairyHairByNatalyIndia.com.

New U-Haul location
San Ann Truck Rentals at 30904 State Road 52 is now offering U-Haul products and services.

New breakfast place
Breakfast Station has opened at 21519 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive, in the Village Lakes Shopping Center in Land O’ Lakes. The restaurant serves a wide assortment of breakfast and lunch choices, with selections such as the Depot Breakfast, Railroad Yard Omelets, the Depot Melt, and many others.

For a full menu and other information, visit BreakfastStationCentral.com.

Common Grounds Pitch series
Interested in pitching your startup idea? You might want to check out the Common Grounds Startup Presentations hosted by the Pasco Economic Development Council’s SMARTstart program.

Two businesses each will make their pitch on Aug. 14 at 10 a.m., at the SMARTstart East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 15029 14th St., Dade City.

To sign up to make your pitch and for more information, go to PascoEDC.com, and click on the events tab.

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. The cost is $5, which includes breakfast and networking.

To RSVP, call (813) 994-8534, or email . Prepayment and registration is strongly encouraged.

Recruiting speakers for Business week
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce is planning ahead for the 27th annual Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce Business Development Week, which will be Jan. 27 through Jan. 31, 2020. The chamber is now making an open call for potential conference speakers. This year’s conference theme will be “Visualizing your success in 2020.”

If you’re interested in becoming a speaker for the conference, submit a presentation proposal to The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce by Aug. 2. Some examples of presentation topics are: Increasing sales; Improving customer service; Increasing the use of technology in your business; Networking; Motivating employees; Improving cash flow; and, Human Resources. Potential presenters may choose other business-related topics, too.

For more information on how to submit your presentation, visit GreaterPasco.com.

Recent ribbon cuttings
These are recent ribbon cuttings that were on The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s July’s calendar:

  • Life’s Treasure Thrift Store, 4910 Allen Road, ribbon cutting and open house on July 26
  • CBD Store Land O’ Lakes, 7902 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in the Connerton Publix Shopping Center on July 29
  • Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, in Trinity. The medical center has added a new vascular robotics program. The event was set for July 30.

East Pasco Networking
Cheryl Hinton will be the featured speaker at the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast on Aug. 13. The group meets from 7:30 a.m. to 9 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.

Business Digest 07/24/2019

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(Courtesy of Sam Turgeon)

Sunlight Realty moves, offers space
Sunlight Realty has moved into Zephyrhills Executive Offices, at 5344 Ninth St., in Zephyrhills, and is leasing out 15 offices, according to a news release from Sam Turgeon, who owns the office complex, along with his wife, Winifred. They envision the office spaces available for lease being used by small businesses and start-ups. For more information, contact Sam Turgeon at (203) 623-7794 or at .

Aquarium names new vice president
Grant Martin has been named the new vice president of development for The Florida Aquarium. Martin previously served as the president of the capital campaign at the Tampa Bay History Center. The announcement comes as the aquarium increases its visibility in their conservation efforts and business growth, according to an Aquarium news release. “Grant’s arrival will allow us to broaden our donor engagement and deepen our connection to the community, both crucial to furthering our organization’s mission of conservation and education,” Roger Germann, president and CEO of the aquarium, said in the release.

Credit Union has new location
The San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union has moved to a new location at 38149 Sprocket Way, which is near the Dade City Publix, according to a credit union posting released by the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce. The credit union’s new location boasts a new building, expanded drive-through lanes and a drive-through ATM, which accepts deposits. The credit union’s former location will become an operations center for the credit union. For more information, visit SACFCU.org, or call (352) 588-2732.

Tampa ranked among top places to live
WalletHub, a personal-finance website, released its rankings for the Best Big Cities to Live In, and Tampa was ranked No. 15, out of the top 20. Virginia Beach, Virginia, ranked No. 1 and Boston, Massachusetts, ranked No. 20. No other Florida city ranked in the top 20 on the list.

The data set considerations included the quality of the public school system, job opportunities, and median annual property taxes, according to a release from WalletHub.

Temporary hold on mini-warehouses
The Pasco County Commission has adopted a temporary moratorium on consideration of any new mini-warehouse applications along the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor. The moratorium is expected to last no longer than 120 days, but could increase to 180 days — upon the board’s approval of an extension. Board members have made it clear they want staff to finish its work within the 120-day window. The board is seeking greater control over where these types of projects are located, with the idea to preserve frontage along the corridor for job-generating businesses. Mini-warehouses tend to have few employees, said board members Mike Moore and Kathryn Starkey, who pushed to give time for staff to research new standards before any additional mini-warehouses are approved in the corridor.

Recruiting speakers for Business week
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce is planning ahead for the 27th annual Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce Business Development Week, which will be Jan. 27 through Jan. 31, 2020. The chamber is now making an open call for potential conference speakers. This year’s conference theme will be “Visualizing your success in 2020.” If you’re interested in becoming a speaker for the conference, submit a presentation proposal to the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce by Aug. 2. Some examples of presentation topics are: Increasing sales; Improving Customer Service; Increasing the use of technology in your business; Networking; Motivating employees; Improving Cash Flow; and, Human Resources. Potential presenters may choose other business-related topics, too. For more information on how to submit your presentations, visit GreaterPasco.com.

Grow Financial helps Thomas Promise
Grow Financial Federal Credit United donated $5,000 to the Thomas Promise Foundation through the Grow Financial Foundation, according to a news release from the Thomas Promise Foundation. The grant will provide enough money to assemble 10,000 meals for food-insecure students in Pasco County, Joe Simmons, executive director for The Thomas Promise Foundation, said in the release.

Commercial leasing workshop
Learn the best practices for leasing a commercial space at a free workshop presented by Gilit Kontny, of Berkshire Hathaway, on July 24 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The class is being offered as part of the SMARTstart Entrepreneurship Education Series, at the East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 15029 14th St., in Dade City.

Sprouts to open in Trinity
Sprouts Farmers Market is set to open in Trinity, at 8840 Strength Ave., on July 31. The store is planning a ribbon cutting before doors open at 7 a.m. Numerous festivities are planned at the new 30,000-square-foot store. Visit Sprouts.com for more information.

Free business mentoring
If you need free, individual, confidential small business mentoring, chances are that Pasco Hernando SCORE can help. Visit PascoHernando.org to request a mentor.

SBA seeks research proposals
The Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy has announced new funding opportunities for small business research. It is currently seeking research proposals in six areas: bank formation, cybersecurity, population dynamics, entrepreneur demographics, veteran entrepreneurship, and miscellaneous small business topics. Proposal submissions are due to by Aug. 16. For more information, go to FedBizOpps.gov.

Business Digest 07/17/2019

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(Courtesy of America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses)

New vision store opens
America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses is now open at Cypress Creek Town Center, 25605 Sierra Center Blvd., in Lutz. The town center is off State Road 56, west of Interstate 75. The store carries a wide selection of designer eyeglass frames, contact lenses and eyeglass accessories. It also offers a free eye exam by an optometrist, with two pairs of eyeglasses for $69.95.

 

Barre3 opens in Wesley Chapel
Barre3 had a ribbon cutting on July 12, at 1940 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in the Shoppes at New Tampa, in Wesley Chapel, with free giveaways, drinks and snacks. Barre3 is a full-body balanced workout combining strength conditioning, cardio and mindfulness.

O’Reilly Auto Parts opens in Lutz
O’Reilly Auto Parts has opened a new store at 15215 N. Nebraska Ave., in Lutz, and has a grand opening that runs through July 30. As part of its celebration, the store has provided $200 to Idlewild Baptist Church’s food pantry.

O’Reilly is a specialty retailer of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories. It was founded in 1957 by the O’Reilly family, and the company operates more than 5,300 stores in the United States.

Suncoast Chiropractic opens in Lutz
Suncoast Chiropractic opened, with a celebration last month, at 18857 State Road 54 in Lutz. John Camacho, DC., offers a variety of services. The event drew a large crowd, and North Tampa Chamber of Commerce joined in the ribbon cutting festivities.

During a previous North Tampa luncheon, Hope Allen, the chamber’s president and CEO, said she wouldn’t miss the celebration. “He had the dream to open up his own practice. He has done the majority of the work himself,” she said, adding, “We thank you for investing in our community.”

Veterans job fair
DAV and RecruitMilitary are hosting a hiring event for veterans, transitioning military personnel, National Guard members, Reserve members and military spouses. The event is on July 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive in Tampa.

Workshop on commercial leasing
Learn the best practices for leasing a commercial space at a free workshop presented by Gilit Kontny, of Berkshire Hathaway, on July 24 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The class is being offered as part of the SMARTstart Entrepreneurship Education Series, at the East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 15029 14th St., in Dade City.

East Pasco Networking Group
Roxxy Geisenheimer, executive director of The Samaritan Project, will be the featured speaker at the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast on July 23. The group meets from 7:30 a.m. to 9 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.

Counseling Center’s new location
The Counseling Center of Tampa Bay recently closed a long-term lease in the Bridgewater Professional Park, 4913 Van Dyke Road in Lutz. The new location is next to the center’s previous 1,200-square-foot office next door. Hold-Thyssen, a commercial real estate firm, closed the multi-year lease.

Coffee First
Network before work at Coffee First, on the fourth Tuesday of each month, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at the First National Bank of Pasco, 23613 State Road 54 in Lutz.

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. The cost is $5, includes breakfast and networking. To RSVP, call (813) 994-8534, or email . Prepayment and registration is strongly encouraged.

Free business mentoring
If you need free, individual, confidential small business mentoring, chances are that Pasco Hernando SCORE can help. Visit PascoHernando.org to request a mentor.

Pasco zoning approvals
A number of zoning or use requests have been approved by the Pasco County Commission during recent meetings. The approvals include:

Central Pasco

  • Request by SDG Acquisition LLC to allow a maximum of 65 single-family residences on a 39.5-acre parcel, on the north side of Collier Parkway/County Line Road, approximately 550 feet west of Livingston Road

Wesley Chapel

  • Request by Tampa Premium Outlets LLC/Aloha for a conditional use to allow the sale of beer and wine, for on-premises consumption, in conjunction with a courtyard kiosk for outdoor sales and service. The 120-square-foot sales kiosk is within a 76,721-square-foot outdoor courtyard area, at 2300 Grand Cypress Drive, Unit 56.

East Pasco

  • Request in the Boger Ranch Master Planned Unit Development, in the Villages of Pasadena Hills Village F, to allow 215 single-family detached dwellings on approximately 85.8 acres. The proposed development is located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Curley Road and Tyndall Road, approximately 2 miles south of State Road 52.
  • Request in the Evans Parcel Master Planned Unit Development, in the Villages of Pasadena Hills to allow 117 single-family residential dwelling units and 100,000 square feet of non-residential development on approximately 39 acres, at the southwest corner of Handcart and Kiefer roads, about 3.10 miles south of State Road 52.

Business Digest 07/10/2019

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Brewery owner joins tourism board
Mike Bishop, owner of Big Storm Brewery, has been selected to fill a vacancy on the Tourist Development Council. Bishop will serve for a four-year term, running through June 2023. The board is made up of nine members.

Economic board opening
The Jobs and Economic Opportunities Committee is seeking new volunteer members to take part in the committee that oversees the use of Jobs and Economic Opportunities Trust Fund portion of the Penny for Pasco.

Responsibilities of JEOC members include ensuring Penny for Pasco spending meets the requirements to promote projects creating new jobs and economic growth. The committee consists of nine members, appointed by the Pasco County Commission, representing diverse knowledge and expertise from each of the following areas: finance/banking, agriculture, real estate, manufacturing and other private industries.

Anyone interested in serving on the JEOC is asked to submit a letter of interest and resume to Economic Growth Manager David Engel at: .

Applications are being accepted through Aug. 2.

The Committee meets, at minimum, on a quarterly basis and presents annual updates to the BCC. Each member of the committee serves a two-year term.

East Pasco Networking
Leja Apple, a professional actress and model, and former Miss Pasco, will be the featured speaker at the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast on July 9. The group meets from 7:30 a.m. to 9 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.

Zephyrhills chamber breakfast meeting
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will have its business breakfast on July 11 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.

Coffee First
Network before work at Coffee First, on the fourth Tuesday of each month, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at the First National Bank of Pasco, 23613 State Road 54 in Lutz.

Power Gals with a Latin Twist
This networking group for women meets the first Friday of each month from noon to 2 p.m., at Bahama Breeze, 25830 Sierra Center Blvd., in Lutz.

Power Gals
The next meeting of this no-obligation networking group for women is July 18 at 11 a.m., at Pizza Villa,  21501 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive in Land O’ Lakes. For more information, call Karla Arita at (813) 408-2038.

Pasco offers matching program
Experience Florida’s Sports Coast, the destination management organization for Pasco’s County’s tourism efforts, has launched a Marketing Matching Sponsorship Program. The program aims to support special event organizers and events that have the potential to attract tourists to the county. The sponsorship program provides up to $5,000 in funding to expand the overall marketing reach to visitors outside the Tampa Bay region.

For more information, call Experience Florida’s Sports Coast at (727) 847-812-8129, email , or visit bit.ly/FSCMarketingMatching.

Chamber goes global
Hope Allen, the president and CEO of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce was invited to take part at the 2019 U.S. Global Leadership Coalition Summit in Washington D.C. The summit brought together hundreds of state leaders together to discuss the importance of global development and diplomacy for local success, according to a posting on the North Tampa Bay Chamber’s website.

On the website, Allen told chamber members: “I was absolutely honored to be on the elite list of attendees, as there were only 13 other leaders from across our state that were invited to be a part of this annual event.”

The chamber executive also said the summit involved high-level networking, foreign policy briefings, and an opportunity to meet members of Congress. Allen said she “quickly learned that The North Tampa Bay region has not only received the attention of fellow Floridians, but also families, individuals and policymakers of all generations at a national level.”

Pasco planning wins award
Pasco County Planning and Development has received its fourth award related to Connected City: America’s First Smart Gigabit Community Built From the Ground Up.

The latest accolade is the Florida Counties Foundation 2019 County Government Best Practices Award, recognizing Pasco County’s outstanding achievements in creating new, efficient and effective solutions to challenges facing local governments, according to a Pasco County news release.

The project also has received awards from the American Planning Association, Florida Chapter; The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council and the American Planning Association Florida Chapter Sun Coast.

Hillsborough offers new special events grant
The newly appointed Cultural Assets Commission of Hillsborough County has recently announced the Special Events Partnership Grant program. This grant program seeks to expand and support special events aimed at placemaking and community-building outcomes, and to promote the county’s economic and community prosperity goals.

The new Special Events Partnership Grants are project-specific grants with two funding categories: “Pilot Effort” and “Next Level.”

The Pilot Effort category is intended for events that are new or have not occurred for more than three years and the maximum amount awarded under this category is $50,000.

The Next Level category is intended for events that are well-established, and seek to grow and enhance event offerings above and beyond current levels to significantly increase attendance, community-wide impact and appeal. The maximum funding amount under the Next Level category is $100,000.

Examples of eligible events include: Art festivals, local food festivals, film festivals, river celebration events and local community historic events.

Applications must be submitted by Aug. 2.

For more information, email .

Business Digest 07/03/2019

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Big Storm opens new kitchen
Big Storm Brewing Co. is opening a kitchen at its founding taproom, at 2330 Success Drive in Odessa, offering specialty, causal meals. Big Storm has already had success with its menu at its Clearwater taproom, according to a news release from the company. “Pasco County is where it all began for us, so it feels great to invest even more in the county we love. It’s our spot for testing and developing new concepts, and we’re just getting started,” Mike Bishop, Big Storm founder, said in the release. The Pasco taproom is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., daily. Kitchen service is expected to begin by mid-July.

 Central Pasco Chamber awards
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce recently bestowed its final set of awards, before the chamber merges with the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce to become the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce, effective July 1.

The slate of the Central Pasco Chamber’s honorees:

Large Business of the Year: Pizza Villa

Small Business of the Year: Nautilus Soap Company

Nonprofit of the Year: Land O’ Lakes Rotary

Chamber Member of the Year: Diane Kortus (publisher and owner of The Laker/Lutz News)

Community Service Award: Melissa Brown

Ambassador of the Year: Melissa Brown

Honorary Mayor of Land O’ Lakes: Kathy Balthazard (area sales manager, of First National Bank of Pasco in Lutz)

AJ’s Power Source to receive incentives
AJ’s Power Source, at 6931 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., is seeking $40,000 in economic incentives from Pasco County for creating 20 new full-time jobs that will pay in excess of 125 percent of the county’s average annual wage. The county has reached an agreement with the company stipulating that 25 percent of the incentive will be awarded during the first year of the contract, with a subsequent distribution of 25 percent each year after, until the maximum amount has been reached.

Greater Pasco Chamber names officers
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce, a newly formed chamber resulting from the merger of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce and the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce, has announced its board of directors for 2019-2020.

The board members are: Greg Armstrong, Kathleen Balthazard, Elayne Bassinger, John Butler, Angel Cook, Terri Dusek, Jim Engelmann, Judi Fisher, Juan Fontanez, Paul Friedlander, Jeremy George, Sandy Graves, Les Saland, Tim Sherrrell and Adam Shoemaker.

SWFMD board elects new officers
The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board has elected a new slate of officers for the 2019-2020 term. They are:

  • Mark Taylor, chair, represents Hernando and Marion counties; president of TTG Properties Inc.
  • Michelle Williamson, vice chair, represents Hillsborough County; manager of G & F Farms
  • Joel Schleicher, secretary, represents Charlotte and Sarasota counties; an entrepreneur known for his involvement in various organizations
  • Kelly S. Rice, treasurer, represents Citrus, Lake, Levy and Sumter counties; small business owner

The new officers will serve a one-year term.

East Pasco Networking Group
Leja Apple, a professional actress and model, and former Miss Pasco, will be the featured speaker at the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast on July 9. The group meets from 7:30 a.m. to 9 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.

Business Digest 06/26/2019

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Rhonda Matthews

Gulfside vice president named
Gulfside Healthcare Services has promoted Rhonda Matthews to the post of vice president of business development, according to a Gulfside news release. Matthews joined Gulfside in 2018 as its director of business development.

“Rhonda has done an exceptional job in developing and leading our marketing team, and expanding our patient access sector,” Kathy Postiglione, chief operations officer and senior vice president of business development, said in the release. “She has developed a strategic marketing strategy that includes an integrated approach to identifying where a patient is best served in our continuum of care.”

 

Dollar Tree now open
A Dollar Tree store has joined other retail ventures at Cypress Creek Town Center, which is off State Road 56, just east of Wesley Chapel Boulevard. The discount store traces its roots back more than 60 years to the Ben Franklin Variety store, and a concept of selling products for $1. It offers a wide array of products, including drinks, toys, candy, school supplies, home décor, gifts and cards.

Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar is hiring
Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar, a new restaurant under construction at Cypress Creek Town Center, just off State Road 56, between Interstate 75 and Wesley Chapel Boulevard, is hiring, according to a banner on a temporary building at the site. The New Orleans-based sports bar was founded by Brandon Landry and Jack Warner. The restaurant’s business partners met in 1997 when they were walk-ons to the Louisiana State University’s basketball team. They opened their first location near LSU’s Tiger Stadium. Today, the company is co-owned by New Orleans Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees.

Free business mentoring
If you need free, individual, confidential small business mentoring, chances are that Pasco Hernando SCORE can help. Visit PascoHernando.org to request a mentor.

Pasco EDC seeks sponsors
The Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., has been highlighting Pasco County’s Best in Business for 32 year at its Annual Awards and Trade Show, and is planning this year’s event on Sept. 5 at Saddlebrook Resort. The event generally draws about 600 Tampa Bay area business and community leaders. To find out more about sponsorships for the event, call (813) 926-0827.

POSTPONED: Apartment celebrates anniversary
Altis Wiregrass Ranch, an apartment complex at 28878 Golden Vista Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a ribbon cutting and a free carnival. Festivities will include games, prizes, face painting, balloons, fair food and more. The event is set for June 29 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. To find out more, visit AltisWiregrassRanch.com.

Women-n-Charge changes July meeting date
This group typically meets on the first Friday of each month, at Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. This month, however, the meeting will be on July 12, because of the Fourth of July holiday. Doors open at 11:15 a.m., for check-in and networking; lunch begins at 11:45 a.m., and the meeting begins at noon. The cost is $15 for members and $18 for guests who RSVP by the Monday before the meeting; or, $20 for members and $23 for guests after that. To RSVP, visit Women-n-charge.com. For information, call (813) 600-9848.

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. The cost is $5, includes breakfast and networking. To RSVP, call (813) 994-8534, or email . Prepayment and registration is strongly encouraged.

East Pasco Networking Group
Leja Apple, a professional actress and model, and former Miss Pasco, will be the featured speaker at the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast on July 9. The group meets from 7:30 a.m. to 9 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.

Chamber breakfast meeting
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will have its business breakfast on July 11 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.

Coffee First
Network before work at Coffee First, on the fourth Tuesday of each month, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at the First National Bank of Pasco, 23613 State Road 54 in Lutz.

Power Gals with a Latin Twist
This no-obligation networking group for women meets the first Friday of each month from noon to 2 p.m., at Bahama Breeze, 25830 Sierra Center Blvd., in Lutz.

Power Gals
The next meeting of this no-obligation networking group for women is July 18 at Pizza Villa,  21501 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive in Land O’ Lakes. The meeting begins at 11 a.m. For more information, call Karla Arita at (813) 408-2038.

Business Digest 06/19/2019

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Chamber bestows honors
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce recently had its annual Banquet and Awards celebration, during which it bestowed three honors, according to a news release.

The honorees were Saint Leo University, Sr. Roberta Bailey, O.S.B. and Dr. Michael Flannery.

  • Saint Leo University received the Business of the Year award.

Saint Leo University, the oldest Catholic institution of higher education in Florida, welcomes students of all faiths. It was named the 2019-2020 Military Spouse Friendly School. It also consistently ranks of the top universities in the South, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges.”

  • Sister Roberta Bailey, O.S.B., was named the Chamber Member of the Year.

Sister Roberta Bailey, O.S.B., serves as Prioress of Benedictine Sisters of Florida, is a member of the chamber’s board of directors, serves on the Saint Leo University Board of Trustees and has a hand in many other efforts to serve East Pasco.

  • Dr. Michael Flannery received the Richard Tombrink Life Time Achievement.

Dr. Michael Flannery and his wife, Terri, founded the St. Andre Free Clinic, which is a “medical home” for under-served patients. Since the clinic opened, its team has conducted thousands of patient visits, found sources for low-cost lab work, prescriptions, and obtained translators for Spanish-speaking patients, and provided other services.

Stuff the Backpack Drive
The First National Bank of Pasco and the Thomas Promise Foundation are teaming up in the 10th annual “Stuff the Backpack Drive.” Items needed include: Pencils, pens, scissors, index cards, liquid soap, Ziploc bags, crayons, Kleenex, notebooks, highlighters, erasers, paper, pencil boxes, glue sticks, rulers, colored pencils and hand sanitizer. Any monetary donations will be used to purchase additional school supplies. Donations may be dropped off at all four First National Bank of Pasco branches. The deadline for donations is July 26. All collected items will be distributed to participating Pasco County schools.

North Tampa Chamber ribbon cuttings

  • JMZ Adaptive Driving and SS Wheelchair Transport Service will have a ribbon cutting on June 25 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the North Tampa Bay Chamber office, 1868 Highland Oaks Blvd., Suite A, in Lutz.
  • Metro City Bank will have a ribbon cutting on June 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 6202 Commerce Palms Drive in Tampa.

East Pasco Networking Group
Maria Raza, a business services consultant for Career Resources Pasco, will be the featured speaker at the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast meeting on June 25 at 7:30 a.m., at IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City.

Pasco beefing up staff
The Pasco County Commission has approved the addition of one senior manager and one technical specialist II in the facilities management department. The positions are needed to help the county manage projects resulting from voter approval of four general obligation bonds, which will result in numerous projects, and increased workload. The cost for the two positions for the remainder of 2019 is $46,744, with annual recurring costs of $149,733. The positions also require vehicles and computer equipment, at an initial cost of $68,399 and recurring costs of $7,922.

Economic briefing
Marc Elias, a senior leasing agent in Regency Centers’ Tampa office, will be the featured speaker at the North Tampa Bay Chamber’s economic development briefing on June 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Hunter’s Green, 18101 Longwater Run Drive in Tampa. For more information, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com.

Member mixer
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce member mixer is set for June 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Rose Castle Assisted Living & Memory Care, 37411 Eiland Blvd., in Zephyrhills.

Business Digest 06/12/2019

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Jennifer Ziegler

New SMARTstart coordinator
Jennifer Ziegler has joined the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., as the economic development agency’s new SMARTstart program coordinator. She will be responsible for coordinating the delivery of SMARTstart programs and related activities at the SMARTstart West Pasco Entrepreneur Center.

Bill Cronin, Pasco EDC president/CEO, is enthusiastic about Ziegler joining the agency’s team.

“Jennifer is very knowledgeable with entrepreneur programs, and working with small businesses,” Cronin said, in a release. “She has experience working in similar organizations, and understands how our programs help new and existing businesses.”

Banquet celebrates new Greater Pasco Chamber
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce and the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have their inaugural installation banquet on June 20, at Hilton Garden Inn Suncoast Parkway, 2155 Northpointe Parkway in Lutz. A cocktail reception begins at 5:45 p.m., with seating starting at 6:15 p.m. The cost is $60 per ticket, and RSVPs are required by June 14.

Come celebrate the accomplishments of 2018 while we usher in our new Board of Directors for 2019-2020 at The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s Inaugural Awards & Installation Banquet.

Those attending will get a chance to meet the new directors of the board, meet the 2019-2020 Honorary Mayor of Land O’ Lakes, and celebrate the award nominees and winners.

The nominees are:
Large Business of the Year: IERNA’s Heating & Cooling; Pizza Villa; Two Men and a Truck; and,

Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Suncoast Parkway

Small Business of the Year: Architectural Signage & Printing; Christian Brothers Automotive Land O’ Lakes; Hungry Harry’s Family BBQ;  and, Nautilus Soap Company LLC

Non-Profit of the Year Nominees: Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School; Oasis Pregnancy Care Centers; Pioneer Florida Museum and Village; and, The Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes

Member of the Year Nominees: Ed Scott, Diane Kortus, Kristie Wright Dimarakis and

Laure Taylor

Community Service Award Nominees: April Saland, Melissa Joy Brown, Chad Hudson and Jonathan Fisher

Land O’ Lakes Honorary Mayor Candidates: Kathy Balthazard and Melissa Joy Brown

Hope Allen marks five years
Hope Allen, president/CEO of the North Tampa Bay Chamber, has been a board member of the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals for five years. The statewide organization serves more than 500 chamber professionals, providing them with information and opportunities to learn and enhance their communication skills to help them carry out the mission of their individual chambers.

North Tampa Chamber ribbon cuttings

  • Suncoast Chiropractic will have a ribbon cutting on June 13 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 18857 State Road 54 in Lutz.
  • JMZ Adaptive Driving and SS Wheelchair Transport Service will have a ribbon cutting on June 25 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the North Tampa Bay Chamber office, 1868 Highland Oaks Blvd., Suite A, in Lutz. 

Lunch N Learn
Speaker Michael Parise will be sharing his expertise on “Change that drives success.” During this Lunch N Learn session on June 19, offered by the North Tampa Bay Chamber, you can learn how can shift out of responsibility overload to embrace change, use your intuition to restore your inner balance and develop a ‘first imperative’ that supports the goals that you’ve set toward personal success. Cost is $15 for members, $25 for nonmembers. Seating is limited to 20. The session is at the North Tampa Bay Chamber boardroom, 1888 Highland Oaks Blvd., Suite A., in Lutz. To find out more, email .

Community job fair
Pasco County Schools and its community partners will host a job fair on June 18 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Mitchell High School, 2323 Little Road in New Port Richey. Come meet managers from local schools, district departments, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, the County Tax Collector, the Clerk of the Court and others. Applicants can get on-the-spot interviews. Openings are available at all levels, including:

  • Finance services
  • Plant managers
  • Deputy patrol
  • Detention deputy
  • Traffic control officer
  • Auditor
  • Compliance accountant
  • Intermediate elementary teacher
  • Food service assistants
  • Registrars
  • Licensed practical nurses
  • Information services/help desk
  • Mechanics
  • Custodians
  • Bus drivers

For more information and to register, visit PascoCommunityFair2019.eventbrite.com.

Business Digest 06/05/2019

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(Courtesy of Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce)

Ben Pumo deemed ‘Heart of Pasco’
Members of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s Community Affairs Committee made a surprise visit recently to bestow the Heart of Pasco Award to Chef Ben Pumo, owner of Benedetto’s Ristorante Italiano in Land O’ Lakes. The award is presented to local businesses that exemplify the mission of the chamber to advocate for the interests of the diverse business community by promoting business advancement, economic growth and job creation. From left: Judi Fisher, Ben Puma, Sandy Graves and Kathy Balthazard.

 

(Courtesy of Zimmerman Agency)

Firehouse Subs open in Lutz
Firehouse Subs has opened in Lutz, under the ownership of Firehouse Subs Franchisees Brad Lueking, Susan Alexander and Pierce Alexander. The restaurant is at 23657 State Road 54. Its hours are 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant offers a variety of small, medium and large subs; a large selection of soft drinks; and has a loyalty rewards program. Crew from left: Sue Sladich, Kiley Lynch, Kaeli Bishop, Sommer Jass, and Brad Lueking, the franchisee.

Power Gals with a Latin Twist
Power Gals with a Latin Twist is having a Floppy Hat Luncheon on June 7 from noon to 2 p.m., at Bahama Breeze Island Grille, 25330 Sierra Center Blvd., in Lutz. The group is a networking group for women. All are welcome.

East Pasco Networking
Bob Hatfield from the Office of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis will be the featured speaker at the East Pasco Networking Group’s June 11 meeting. The group meets at 7:30 a.m., at IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City. Maria Reza, a business services consultant at Career Source Pasco-Hernando, will be the featured speaker at the group’s June 25 meeting.

Results-based marketing
Everyday your prospects see 6,000 branding messages, see 4,000 ads, get 175+ emails, and spend 90 percent of their time on the Internet just browsing. Learn the “”why,” “what” and “how” to cut through this marketing “noise” to be compelling, differentiating and make the sale at this free session offered by Pasco-Hernando Score. The workshop will be presented on June 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel.

Brian Corley to speak
Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley will be the featured speaker for the monthly membership luncheon of the North Tampa Bay Chamber. The luncheon is on June 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, 4211  Van Dyke Road, in Lutz. Visit NorthTampaChamber.com for more information.

Awards and installation banquet
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce and the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have a joint awards and installation banquet to signify the creation of the new Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce, resulting from the merger of both chambers. The event will be on June 20 from 5:45 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn Suncoast Parkway, 2155 Northpointe Parkway in Lutz. Call the Central Pasco Chamber at (813) 909-2722 or the West Pasco Chamber at (727) 842-7651 for more information.

Chamber coffee
Gather with colleagues and peers in a relaxed networking environment at the North Tampa Bay Chamber’s no-agenda coffee social. It happens on the third Tuesday of the month from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Buttermilk Provisions, 2653 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.