Local News

WESLEY CHAPEL – The Pasco Economic Development Council hosted its 37th Annual Awards event Sept. 5 at Saddlebrook Resort. 

More than 300 people attended the event, a celebration of economic excellence in Pasco County. 

“We had a great night recognizing businesses who have made a significant economic impact in Pasco County,” said Bill Cronin, Pasco EDC president/CEO. “And it was truly an honor to recognize Dewey Mitchell who has made a tremendous contribution to making Pasco County the place it is today.”

The award finalists this year included companies that exhibited exemplary growth through job creation, capital investment, technology, workforce innovation and community service. 

The award winners for 2025 are:

 

• Economic Excellence Award (small category): Escape Brewing Company

With over $1 million in capital investment, Escape Brewing Company has expanded its operations at Trinity by building a production facility, taproom and beer garden, which has given the company the opportunity to double its production capacity. Additionally, the 2.5-acre expansion has allowed Escape Brewing Company to create a food hall, the first of its kind in Pasco County.

 

• Economic Excellence Award (large category): Merrell Bros Inc.

Over the last year, Merrell Brothers has invested over $10 million in new land, buildings and equipment to expand its Pasco County operations. The company’s product lines consist of biosolids-derived fertilizers used in farming and general agricultural applications. A part of its investment included a new 28,000-square-foot facility called Florida Green. The company has hired over 30 full-time employees in the past year.

 

• Innovation in Workforce Development: METTLER TOLEDO

METTLER TOLEDO Product Inspection Division opened in Pasco County in 2016 and employs over 700 people with a focus on employee retention. The company works with local training organizations to provide educational tours to students. The company created The METTLER TOLEDO Early Career Experience Program, which offers recent graduates a structured program that introduces them to various areas within the company.

• Leadership Award: Dewey Mitchell

Dewey Mitchell is the owner and co-broker of the local real estate firm, Capstone Tropical Holdings, Inc., comprised of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group and other entities through which he has brokered many deals in Pasco County that have resulted in a positive economic impact. 

 

• Pasco Establishment Award: Thirsty Buffalo Brew Factory

Located in the West Pasco Industrial Park in Odessa, Thirsty Buffalo Brew Factory opened its new facility in September 2024. The company manufactures its own craft beer and co-packs other non-alcoholic beverages. After investing $100,000 in a new canning line and brewing equipment, Thirsty Buffalo is manufacturing its products onsite and entering new markets.

• SMARTstart Entrepreneur of the Year: Andria Roscart, Athenaeum Brew Lounge

Andria opened her brick-and-mortar business in 2024 after building out her facility in downtown Dade City. It combines Andria’s dream of creating a place to get quality beer while spending time with friends and family. Andria learned how to start and grow a business using knowledge gained as a graduate of the SMARTstart CO.STARTERS program. She applied this knowledge to open her facility and expand her business.

 

• Special Contribution: Pasco News Media Group LLC

Reporter Bryan Farrow opened Pasco News in 2020 with a focus on being direct and sharing pertinent information as quickly as possible through his website and Facebook page with over 120,000 followers. During the 2024 hurricane season, Pasco News pivoted all communications to assist in sharing the importance of emergency alerts regarding Pasco County and launched a mobile app, which many residents looked to for updates.

 

DADE CITY – Pasco-Hernando State College recognized 34 Fire Academy graduates with firefighter certificates during a ceremony Aug. 14 at the East Campus.

Cadets completed 16 weeks of training, preparing them for their upcoming state-administered practical and written exams. 

Austin Linville was named class leader and received the Instructor Pick award.

“Each cohort picks its own class motto, and one of our Scottish cadets, Alexander Buchanan, introduced the phrase, ‘It’ll be a skoosh,’ with skoosh meaning easy,” said William Lingo, program coordinator and retired fire chief. “The cadets took this motto and pushed forward through their training to get to their graduation on Thursday.”

Cadets had the opportunity to train and learn using PHSC’s newest state-of-the-art fire tower and training facility, spread over 4,280 square feet. The tower is 50 feet tall and spans five stories. 

The facility includes burn prop stations for training, two classrooms, pre-engineered covered parking and two 40-foot storage containers for training equipment.

“PHSC is proud to celebrate the dedication and resilience of these graduates, who have chosen a path of service, sacrifice and strength,” PHSC President Eric Hall said. “As our communities face increasing demands on public safety services, these well-trained professionals will play a critical role. Their success reflects PHSC’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality, hands-on training that supports workforce development and strengthens our region.”

 

 

Shelby Langford never imagined agriculture would become a focus of her teenage years.

It all began with a middle school elective, “Agricultural Foundations.” She chose the class but had few expectations. What started as a routine course exposed her to opportunities that would shape her future. Before long, agriculture evolved from a passing interest to a passion.

She started cooking for herself and tending a garden at home. Her curiosity deepened to commitment when, before officially enrolling at Gaither High School in Tampa, she volunteered with the school’s agriculture department. The summer before she started high school, Shelby volunteered to show the school’s Future Farmers of America chapter pig. From early mornings at the barn to late-night feedings, she gave her all to raising a pig while learning about swine care and behavior.

“That experience lit a fire in her – a deep desire to continue learning and growing within the agricultural world, especially within the swine industry,” said her mother, Marisa Langford.

In March, Shelby was accepted into the Florida 4-H “Hog & Ham” program, part of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Hog & Ham takes selected participants through the process of pork production and teaches food security.

This month, she went to the main UF campus in Gainesville to learn about meat production.

Hog & Ham, 4-H, FFA, fairs – they’re all part of a journey filled with “opportunities,” which seems to be one of Shelby’s favorite words.

“It’s cool learning about all the different opportunities that agriculture has to offer,” she said, citing, among other things, Ag Day on the Hill, where FFA members go to the state Capitol. “You learn about all the cool things you can do if you pursue agriculture, including lobbying legislators.”

Over the past two years, Shelby has taken advantage of opportunities offered through UF/IFAS Extension programs.

She’s attended meat science and livestock judging clinics, interacted with UF/IFAS faculty and explored the depth and diversity of Florida’s agricultural industry.

Whitney Elmore, director of UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County, praised Shelby for how she sets an example for others.

“4-H participants (and their families) work very hard on their projects, putting a significant amount of time, money and energy into learning by doing,” Elmore said. “Shelby exemplifies the core values of 4-H: head, heart, hands, health.”

It’s not always easy participating in 4-H and FFA, but it’s well worth the effort, Shelby said. The biggest challenge is “getting started.”

“You have to navigate things on your own,” she said. “There’s a lot of pre-planning that goes into everything. It helps you with time management. You have to find opportunities. Some are a little more hidden than others.”

 

ST. LEO – It was a time of goodbye hugs, some tears, a few raindrops, and a lot of sweat as new and transfer students moved into Saint Leo University residence halls Aug. 22. 

The university welcomed more than 850 incoming students while returning students arrived Aug. 23 and 24. Classes began Aug. 25 at the campus in Pasco County as well as online and at the university’s regional education centers in Florida and Savannah, Georgia.

Most of Saint Leo’s new students are “homegrown” with 69.6% being from Florida, while 18.8% are from other states. International students make up 11.6% of the new students. Saint Leo’s fields, courts, track and more will be filled this year as 299 new student-athletes join the pride.  

The incoming Lions and their families found plenty of help from faculty, staff, student-athletes and coaches, spirit teams, resident assistants and orientation leaders to unload vehicles and haul their belongings into their new home away from home.  

Radames Luna, father of new student Izayah Luna, said he is excited for his son to begin at Saint Leo. 

“The best part is when they asked if they could help,” Radames said, laughing as student-athletes and other volunteers surrounded the family’s car and carried boxes and bags to Izayah’s room. He will be majoring in business.  

Krystal Morris, of Wesley Chapel, admitted to feeling a little sad while moving her son, Sian, into his residence hall. “I am not OK,” she said. “He’s my baby.” 

And Krystal said she might be crying in Sian’s room at home after she left campus.  

Isabella Hill, of Naples, happily unpacked items in her residence hall room. 

“I’m looking forward to everything,” said the pre-nursing major. 

Meanwhile, her dad, Marc Hill, was busy assembling items for her room. 

“I’m holding it together and then I’ll cry in the car later,” he said.  

Isabella’s grandmother, Cassandra Hill, said she is “ready to fly like a butterfly” during her time at Saint Leo.  

Sarai Rodriguez and Kiara Clifford, both nursing students, are serving as the resident assistants for Saint Leo’s Nursing Living Learning Communities. 

This year, with 115 pre-nursing students arriving, the university offered two of these communities for those pursuing Bachelor of Science in nursing degrees with students living in Alumni and Roderick halls. Living Learning Communities offer an opportunity for students with shared interests to build connections beyond the classroom. Rodriguez spent the morning meeting the students and distributing notices to make sure the pre-nursing students attend their orientation session.  

“One of my main goals as a nursing RA and within the programs that I host, is to create a strong community among nursing students,” Rodriguez said. “As a senior, if I could give any advice to pre-nursing and junior nursing students, it would be to have an open mind, find friendships that will carry you through your journey, and believe that this dream was placed in your heart for a reason.”