Local News

Pasco stays competitive, during pandemic

October 27, 2020 By B.C. Manion

The news could have been gloomy, because Pasco County — like everywhere else — is in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

But, as it turns out, the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.’s final report for last fiscal year shows that the economic development agency surpassed goals in key categories, such as attracting new projects and adding new jobs.

Bill Cronin, president/CEO of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., holds the agency’s gold award it received in the entrepreneurship category during the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Annual Conference. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.)

That’s the crux of a report delivered by Bill Cronin, president/CEO of Pasco EDC, to the Pasco County Commission during its Oct. 20 board meeting.

Cronin leads the agency, whose mission is to stimulate balanced and diversified economic growth in Pasco County. It uses private investments and tax dollars to support the work it does to foster economic development — which includes attracting companies, helping business startups and helping companies to be resilient, and to grow.

Cronin told commissioners the agency won 15 projects, surpassing its goal of 12. The wins include 13 competitive projects (of which two were expansions already in Pasco that were competitive); plus, two expansion projects that were not competitive.

The agency’s final win came on Sept. 30, about 4:30 in the afternoon, Cronin reported.

“We received a commitment from a company that we’re going to be bringing to you, Nov. 17, for 875 jobs,” he said.

“That put us not only over our goal for a thousand (jobs), but a record for the most recruited jobs in any one fiscal year at 1,464 total jobs committed this year, from (competitive) wins.

“I think it’s not only significant in the sense that it was a record-breaker, but it was amidst COVID that a lot of this activity was taking place,” Cronin said.

Overall, there was $104 million in capital investment last year, exceeding the Pasco EDC’s goal of $90 million.

“We’ve got a total of 44 active projects right now,” Cronin said. That compares favorably with Jacksonville, which has 43, he added.

The majority of those active projects in Pasco’s pipeline is manufacturing.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey is enthusiastic about that.

“Those are great jobs, as you and I know,” Starkey said. “Of course, their No. 1 issue is the talent pipeline, so we are all working hard on filling that.

“Great job on those manufacturing jobs,” she told Cronin.

Obviously, shutdowns imposed by the pandemic created new challenges, and Pasco EDC has responded by becoming a resource to help businesses learn about available resources.

Besides sharing news about grants, loans and training opportunities on its website, Pasco EDC also administered a local small business grant program — that was supported through $7 million in funding approved by the Pasco County Commission, using revenues provided by Penny for Pasco for economic development.

Those receiving the grants were required to submit necessary paperwork, and to attend a two-hour refocus virtual workshop.

“We continue to focus on building resiliency, to work with our small businesses, to help them grow to get stronger,” Cronin said.

It also provided advice to some of its peers in other places, to help them handle resiliency and grants, Cronin said.

The agency’s task forces have been active, too.

The Food Hub task force was expected to present its recommendation at the end of October, and the Office and Industrial Trends Task Force plans to disseminate a report to the real estate community and developers around the nation.

The economic development agency also expects to add a real estate committee to its list of committees in 2021, Cronin said.

The agency also is forming a new task forces on reshoring — which will address the issue of bringing back manufacturing to the United States.

During the board meeting, Cronin also told commissioners about three awards his agency won in an international competition. The agency competed among communities of 500,000 or greater, and won a gold, silver and bronze award in the contest.

Pasco economic statistics for 2019-2020

Overall stats
Business recruitment inquiries: 102
Leads: 35
Active projects: 44
Successes: 15*

Active projects, by category
Manufacturing: 24
Wholesale trade: 2
Information technology: 5
Professional scientific: 4
Company management: 2
Life science: 1
Finance and insurance: 2
Health care: 1
Transportation warehouse: 3

* (Successes include 13 competitive projects, of which two were expansions already in Pasco that were competitive, and two expansion projects that were not competitive)

Source: Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.

Pasco EDC wins international awards
The Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., has received three awards from the International Economic Development Council, in the 2020 Excellence in Economic Development Awards Program.

The local economic development agency won in these categories:

Entrepreneurship: A gold award for its SMARTstart Pasco project
Digital Media: A silver award for its Pasco Ready Sites Interactive Maps
Special Purpose Website: A bronze award for WorkforceCONNECT Pasco.

The awards were presented during the International Economic Development Council Annual Conference.

Bill Cronin, president and CEO for the Pasco EDC, was obviously delighted to share the news with the Pasco County Commission, during the board’s Oct. 20 meeting.

The Pasco EDC was competing in the category for communities over 500,000.

“So that means we were competing with the New Yorks, the Houstons, the Chicagos of the world,” Cronin said. To receive the honors, he said, “is a really big deal for us.”

Published October 28, 2020

New program aims to alleviate hunger

October 27, 2020 By Mary Rathman

The Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger (TBNEH) has launched a new Holidays On Wheels program, to deliver a full holiday meal and toys to transportation-disadvantaged and homebound families with children in Tampa Bay, during the months of November and December.

The program was developed in partnership with Metropolitan Ministries, to help ensure that every family has a nutritious and joyous holiday celebration.

This season, the TBNEH will be helped by more than 300 volunteers to deliver to families that have no access to a working, or reliable vehicle.

For families who have transportation, Metropolitan Ministries again will host its annual drive-thru Holiday Tent.

Registration for the Holidays On Wheels’ program is open now to all households with children that are transportation-disadvantaged living in Hillsborough, Pasco or Pinellas counties.

Households that qualify include: those with children 0 to 18 years of age who are not able to get a ride from household members or others for life-sustaining trips; medical, grocery, work, job-related training/education and other vital services (or do not have access to their own working or reliable vehicle); and/or households led by an adult with a disability or illness, with children 0 to 18 years of age. The head of the household must pass a background check and someone must be home to receive the delivery.

The Holidays On Wheels’ deliveries will take place on Nov. 17 (Thanksgiving meal ingredients) and Dec. 16 (holiday meal ingredients and toys for children) between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The deadline to register for the Thanksgiving delivery is Nov. 5, and the deadline to register for the holiday delivery is Dec. 7, online at NetworkToEndHunger.org/holidays.

To volunteer, visit NetworkToEndHunger.org/volunteer. Driving routes for volunteers will take about an hour to complete.

To make a donation to the hunger network, visit NetworkToEndHunger.org, or call (813) 344-5837.

Published October 28, 2020

New beer seeks to pitch Pasco tourism

October 27, 2020 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Pasco County’s tourism marketing arm is trying a new approach — using a new brand of beer to market Florida’s Sports Coast.

The Sports Coast Pilsner is a new beer created to help promote Florida’s Sports Coast, which is how Pasco County brands itself in its tourism marketing efforts. The beer is the result of a partnership between the tourism organization and Escape Brewing Company. (Courtesy of Florida’s Sports Coast)

Florida’s Sports Coast is the name of the county’s destination management organization (DMO), which is in charge of Pasco’s tourism marketing efforts.

The DMO has teamed up with teamed up with Escape Brewing Company to create a beer called the Sports Coast Pilsner, according to a county news release.

A public event to formally launch the beer is set for Nov. 5 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Widow Fletcher’s, 4927 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey.

Those attending will have the chance to meet the co-owners of Escape Brewing, John McGregor and Matt Thompson, and members of the Florida’s Sports Coast team.

There also will be special giveaways.

Beer will be available for purchase, to anyone age 21 or older.

The Sports Coast pilsner is a light, crisp beer with notes of citrus that is best enjoyed responsibly, the release said.

“It’s like sunshine in a can,” McGregor said, in the release.

The artwork for the can was done by local Pasco artist, Veronica Steiner, the lead designer for the brewery.

Published October 28, 2020

Check out this drive-up food fair

October 27, 2020 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

You can indulge in locally baked goods and gourmet specialty items from the comfort of your car and help small businesses — during the drive-up SMARTstart Vendor Fair.

The event will be on Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the UF/IFAS Pasco Extension One Stop Shop, 15029 14th St., in Dade City.

Lanky Lassie’s Shortbread, Superfood Bakeshop, Chef Sweets – Luminous Sweets, Nutoriously Good and other local incubator businesses will be ready with their most popular offerings – ranging from shortbread to organic, gluten-free items packed with superfoods, according to a news release from Pasco County.

Just drive up and you’ll receive online menu access to place an order that will be delivered to your car.

The event is being co-hosted by UF/IFAS Pasco Extension and the Pasco County Economic Development Council Inc.’s SMARTstart program.

Published October 28, 2020

Does an apple a day keep the doctor at bay?

October 27, 2020 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Stories involving apples abound.

Some say it was the forbidden fruit that Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge.

An apple purportedly fell on Sir Isaac Newton’s head, inspiring him to discover the properties of gravity.

And, did you know the apple is often associated with fertility, peace and love?

The green apple is one of 7,000 varieties of apples. The fruit offers a broad range of flavors and textures, and can be enjoyed in many forms, such as a caramel apple, a candy apple, in a cake, as a pie, freshly sliced or baked. (Courtesy of pixabay.com)

In one superstition, a girl cuts a long single apple peel and drops it to the floor. Whatever letter the peel looks like is said to be the initial of her future spouse.

There also is a story from ancient Roman times involving apple seeds. According to that tale, a person would toss apple seeds into a fire, while saying the name of his or her heart’s desire. If the seeds popped loudly, the love would be returned; if the seeds silently burned, it would not.

Apples also have been given as traditional gifts, and it is widely known that teachers receive apples from appreciative students.

Ever wonder how New York got its nickname as ‘The Big Apple?’ Well, it turns out that happened because big apples were given as prizes at New York horse racing events in the 1920s, or so the story goes.

The apple also is often used symbolically in logo designs and business branding, including for one of today’s largest technology companies.

You may already be familiar with some of these stories involving apples, but did you know that fruit has an entire month devoted to it? That’s October.

And, there’s a National Apple Day, too. That’s Oct. 21.

So, is the old adage true. Does an apple a day keep the doctor away?

After all, that’s what it said in an 1866 Wales publication.

As in many things in life, it may not be entirely true, but it’s not altogether false, either.

Keeping the doctor at bay requires lots of healthy choices and a variety of foods. But, eating two to four servings of fruits and vegetables daily is recommended, and after all, an apple is a fruit.

Fortunately, there are lots of ways to enjoy apples.

There are more than 7,000 varieties of the fruit, according to The Farmer’s Almanac.

They offer wide a variety of color, taste and texture — pleasing to many palettes.

Some apples are sweet; some, tart. Some are super juicy and others, not so much.

They can be eaten whole, dried, baked, sauced, and converted into juice or cider.

Here are some ways apples can improve your health:

Eat the whole apple, including the peel, to add fiber to your diet, to help lower cholesterol.
Carry one with you, they provide quick access to a healthy snack, reducing your hunger and helping you to avoid junk food.
Use applesauce to replace fat, when baking cakes and muffins.
They help with allergies. Research published by The National Institute of Health says quercetin, an antioxidant in apples, can prevent histamine release.

By Shari Bresin

Alisa Boderick, Pasco County Extension intern, contributed to this column.

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County.

So, now that cooler weather is here, you may be baking more often.

Here’s an apple pie recipe that you might like to try.

Crust ingredients
2 cups non-rising flour
3 to 4 Tablespoons of cold orange juice
Pinch of salt
⅓ – ½ cup of solid Crisco shortening
About 3 to 4 Tablespoons of water (don’t want it runny, just so that the flour turns into a solid)

Filling ingredients
5 to 6 apples, Granny Smith works best
1 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon of cinnamon
Small pat of butter
Pinch of salt
Pinch of flour

Directions
Put the flour, orange juice, water, salt and shortening into a bowl.
Use a pastry blender to mix ingredients to create a dough, and avoid touching with hands.
Once mixed, split dough in half (one for bottom crust and one for top).
Put each dough between two pieces of wax paper and roll it out using a rolling pin, about the size of the pie pan.
Carefully remove wax paper and put bottom half in pie pan.

Peel and cut apples into small pieces (or slice if you prefer).

Marinade the cut apples, sugar, cinnamon, butter, salt, and flour in a bowl for as many minutes as you’d like. This is optional, but makes the pie juicier.

Place in bottom crust and then place top crust over it. Add a couple of small holes in the top crust so steam can escape.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Published October 28, 2020

Scammers targeting online DMV services

October 27, 2020 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers to be on the lookout for scammers who are fooling people through websites that look like those used by state departments of motor vehicles.

The scammers are exploiting the opportunity created by an increasing number of people who are turning to online offerings from state DMVs, during this time of COVID-19, according to information provided by the BBB.

They are using these lookalike websites to steal money and personal information, according to reports filed by consumers on BBB.org/ScamTracker.

Here’s how the scam works: You need to change your car’s title, get a Real ID, or perform another service that you would normally do at your local DMV. Instead, you visit what you think is the DMV website to learn about their new COVID-19 procedures. Your state may now allow you to complete the transaction online, or you may need to schedule an in-person appointment through the DMV website.

Before you enter any personal or payment information, double check the site’s URL to make sure it’s the real deal.

Also, be sure to make online purchases with your credit card. Fraudulent charges made on a credit card can usually be disputed, whereas that might not be the case with other payment methods. Unfortunately, there is no way to get back the personal information you may have shared, the release says.

There’s also a similar scam involving change of address services.

If you have been the victim of this or another scam, you can help make others aware by filing a report on BBB.org/ScamTracker.

Published October 28, 2020

In-person jury trials to resume in Pasco

October 27, 2020 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

A modest schedule of trials is on the calendars at the courthouses in east and west Pasco beginning on Nov. 2, according to a news release from the Office of Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller.

To optimize the safety of those coming to the Pasco Judicial Center or Robert Sumner Judicial Center, the center will be:

Limiting the number of jurors called to allow for social distancing in each Jury Assembly Room
Spacing out the days of the week on which jurors are summoned
Requiring face coverings
Installing Plexiglas barriers
Locating hand-sanitizing stations throughout each courthouse
Frequently disinfecting common-area surfaces

Details may be found at PascoClerk.com/260/Jury-Services.

The resumption of in-person trials is occurring under the direction of state Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady for Florida courts to pursue a safe return to more traditional operations. Sixth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Anthony Rondolino recently instructed courts in Pasco and Pinellas Counties to begin preparations for Phase 2 functions, clearing the path toward restarting trials with in-person jurors, the release says.

Published October 28, 2020

Cancer forces retirement of police dog

October 20, 2020 By Kevin Weiss

A cancer diagnosis has forced the retirement of one of the Zephyrhills Police Department’s police dogs.

Zephyrhills Police Department K9 Oscar was recently diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, a blood vessel cancer. The 4-year-old yellow Labrador is officially retired and now in the care of handler Officer Morgan Upchurch. (Courtesy of Zephyrhills Police Department)

It was a somber moment inside the Zephyrhills City Hall chambers when Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer on Oct. 12 officially retired 4-year-old K9 Oscar, amid what he called “an aggressive form of cancer, which is quickly spreading.”

The more technical term of K9 Oscar’s cancer is hemangiosarcoma, whereby malignant tumors are derived from the cells lining blood vessels.

“Unfortunately, he’s starting to exhibit signs of rapid decline in his health, and at this time we think it’s best for him to retire,” said Brewer, who was noticeably choked up.

With the retirement, ownership and care of the dog has been transferred from the city to his handler, Officer Morgan Upchurch.

K9 Oscar— a yellow Labrador from England— joined the city police department in 2018.

Brewer detailed how the canine in two-plus years completed 163 narcotics searches (yielding 134 findings) and 86 arrests. In those findings, K9 Oscar recovered methamphetamines, opiates, heroin, cocaine, fentanyl and other prescription pills.

Zephyrhills Police Department K9 Oscar with his handler, Officer Morgan Upchurch. The 4-year-old yellow Labrador was recently diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, a blood vessel cancer. Oscar had been with the agency since 2018.

“His value to us is going to be well-missed,” Brewer said. “I just want to tell you how much Oscar has meant to all of us, and none more than Morgan (Upchurch), and it’s a shame that he’s only 4 years old, and already suffering these types of issues, and we’re going to miss him a lot.”

The law enforcement agency operates with three police canines, with a long-term goal of working with four. The police chief later told The Laker/Lutz the agency plans to find K9 Oscar’s replacement “as soon as possible,” but added there’s not yet a set timetable “because many factors go into purchasing a dog.”

A slew of law enforcement officials and K9 units attended the retirement proceedings as a show of support for the Zephyrhills Police K9 team. A video tribute of K9 Oscar also was played for the audience at the meeting.

“It’s heartbreaking that such a young dog has to go through this,” said Zephyrhills City Council President Charles Proctor. “My heart goes out to Officer Upchurch. I can’t imagine. Having to put down one of our beloved dogs is always incredibly hard, so my heart goes out to him and the entire police department for their loss.”

Published October 21, 2020

Pasco County approves tourism marketing study

October 20, 2020 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Commission has approved spending $48,000 for an economic impact study related to tourism.

During the board’s Oct. 6 meeting, commissioners approved a consulting services agreement with Downs & St. Germain Research Inc. (DSG), to perform the analysis.

The company, a market research firm based in Tallahassee, specializes in developing marketing and strategic recommendations from survey results and focus groups through tourism studies such as visitor tracking, potential visitor research, branding research, event research, return on investment research and other methods, according to agenda backup materials.

A second-floor mezzanine area offers a bird’s-eye view of all activity inside the 98,000-square- foot indoor complex at the Wiregrass Sports Campus of Pasco County. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The consulting company has substantial experience in Florida tourism market research.

Commissioners previously approved an agreement with the market research company, known as DSG, on Jan. 23, 2018, to conduct the county’s first Visitor Profile and Economic Impact Study of Tourism.

Since then, the research company has partnered with several events organizations, tourism attractions, venues, and short-term rental accommodations to run face-to-face, phone and online surveys to Pasco County visitors. As a result of these interviews, DSG has been able to profile visitors coming to our destination and quantify the economic impact that the tourism industry brings to Pasco County, according to the agenda item.

In addition to providing a venue for tournaments, the new Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus also creates new opportunities for area youth and adults — who have access to the field house during weekdays, with the opportunity to participate in recreation leagues, camps and clinics.

The market research company has provided visitor profile and economic impact studies, and the reports have provided insight on the demographics and geography of Florida’s Sports Coast visitors, activities while in the destination, trip planning behaviors, satisfaction with the destination, spending behaviors, the importance of vacation attributes, and the

best approach for attracting new visitors, agenda materials say.

The information has been used by the county’s Destination Management Organization (DMO) to develop marketing strategies and establish a blueprint for a marketing plan to increase visitation, visitor satisfaction, and marketing effectiveness.

The county’s DMO considers the tourism research work to be in the best interest of the Pasco tourism industry to keep annual track of our visitors and the economic impact that this industry is generating to the county in general, the agenda material adds.

In recommending approval of the agreement, county staff characterized the study as an important tool to “identify the right audience as well as when, how, and where to allocate marketing dollars to promote a destination.”

Published October 21, 2020

Artists’ handiwork displayed on hay bales

October 20, 2020 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

People who enjoy viewing public art might want to check out six hay bales — painted by artists of various ages — that have been stationed around locations in Dade City.

The display is the Dade City Center for the Arts’ kick-off project, since being revived in July 2020.

This painting of a scarecrow’s face was done by Morgan Turgeon and Ethan Wiley, students at Pasco High School. The painted hay bale is at Price Park. (Courtesy of Dade City Center for the Arts)

Hancock Farm & Feed Co., provided and delivered the hay bales.

Those wishing to view the works can visit these Dade City locations:

Hardy Trail at Church Avenue, 37856 Church Ave.
Hibiscus Park, Seventh Street and Bougainvillea Avenue
Price Park, 37415 Magnolia Ave.
Agnes Lamb Park, 14200 Ninth St.
Naomi Jones Park, 38122 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Watson Park, on Main Avenue, between 17th and 19th streets

The paintings have been well-received, said Lucy Avila, of Dade City Center for the Arts, in a news release.

To find out more about Dade City art, check the art center’s website at DadeCityArts.com.

The center also has other projects planned to enhance downtown Dade City.

The arts center is headquartered at Out of Our Hands Gallery, 14245 Seventh St., in Dade City.

Published October 21, 2020