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Pasco Economic Development Council

Santander will bring 875 jobs to Pasco

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Pasco County scored two big wins last week.

First, it sealed a deal with Santander Consumer USA to set up shop in the county, and to create 875 new job opportunities in Pasco.

Second, it found a way to give new life to a vacant building, at a prominent spot.

“Since about 2016, we’ve had a very difficult time in explaining why we have this (vacant) big box building, right at the entrance of our county, at Suncoast and State Road 54,” Bill Cronin, president and CEO of the Pasco Economic Development Council, Inc., said in remarks to the Pasco County Commission.

Pasco County officials and representatives from Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., and Santander Consumer USA celebrate the agreement expected to attract 875 jobs to Pasco County. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council)

“Super Target has remained empty for four years, despite our healthy growth.

“I’m happy to say that because of the specialized need of that building and the specialized use, we do have a special company that is taking that building,” Cronin said.

Cronin and David Engel, manager of the county’s office of economic growth, explained the details of the incentive package that’s being extended to Santander to persuade it to choose Pasco County.

Efforts to land the company began several months ago, when Santander Consumer USA came to the county during a national search conducted by Newmark Knight Frank.

“The goal was to locate a modern and efficient site that could accommodate future expansions,” Cronin said.

The search went beyond finding a site, he said.

It “was also a search for sustainable talent pipeline in a community with great livability.

Santander Consumer USA will be investing $22 million in Pasco County, Cronin said.

“The company will be paying over 115% of our current county average wage,” Cronin added.

The agreement details that Pasco’s average annual wage paid to workers in all industries is $38,338, as reported by Enterprise Florida Inc., and compiled by the State of Florida, Agency for Workforce Innovation, Labor Market Statistics.

Santander has agreed to create the 875 jobs within five years, and to pay at least $46,283 in average annual income for those jobs. To qualify for the incentive, a job must be staffed for at least one year.

Santander plans to renovate and occupy 115,425 square feet of the former Target store building, at 16400 State Road 54, in Odessa. The big box store has been vacant since 2016. (File)

Santander also will be offering career opportunities for the county’s bilingual workforce, which is expected to help the county’s Hispanic population — which makes up the county’s largest ethnic population, Cronin said.

“The economic impact to gross county product to Pasco is $129 million over the next five years,” Cronin added.

Their parent company, Banco Santander, is located in Spain, Cronin said, describing it as one of the world’s largest banks.

“If you have an automobile loan in Latin America, it’s probably from Santander,” he said.

In fact, Cronin added, “Banco Santander was named, just last week, Bank of the Year in the Americas, Brazil, Spain and Argentina, by The Banker, which is a global financial intelligence organization in London.”

Engel spelled out the terms of the economic incentive package.

“For the 875 jobs, the Pasco EDC recommends a $1,750,000 to be paid out over a 10-year period, and a 10-year tangible tax reimbursement, totaling up to $342,000,” Engel said.

Years one through five the incentive will be 50% of Santander’s tangible tax and years six through 10 will be 25% of their tangible tax, he added.

“This, in fact, is the most cost-effective job creation incentive that we’ve offered a company. It’s equivalent to $391 a job,” Engel said.

The incentive agreement notes that Santander intends to make interior and exterior renovations of 115,425 square feet of the old Target store, at 16400 State Road 54, in Odessa.

Backup materials for the board’s agenda item note: “The staff recommendation to

approve the tangible tax reimbursement in this case is based on the unique aspects of this project since it involves the redevelopment and occupancy of a former “big box” retail building by a qualified target industry, at significant expense, in one of the county’s most important high visibility economic growth and job creation corridors.”

It adds: “The recommended tax reimbursement incentive in this case should not be considered a precedent for reimbursement for interior improvements that may be made by other companies in the future, even if such companies qualify for a job creation incentive or are a qualified target industry.”

Background materials in the agreement note that Santander qualifies as a targeted industry, in the financial services sector.

A table in the agreement lays out the company’s plans to gradually add the 875 employees, beginning with 400 in 2021, with a total of 875 by 2025.

Ernie Ocasio, a senior vice president of Santander Consumer USA, told county officials that the company is eager to come to Pasco, and praised the county’s rich resources.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey remarked that she had been so upset about news of the Super Target’s closing that she had appealed to company officials to try to keep it open. It turns out that this new use is better for the county than having a big retailer at that location, the commissioner said.

Commissioners unanimously approved Santander’s incentive package.

What: Santander Consumer USA is setting up shop in Pasco County
Where: On State Road 54, near the Suncoast Parkway, in the old Super Target location
Detail: The company plans to hire 875 workers in the next five years.
When: The company plans to begin hiring in 2021.

Published December 16, 2020

Their stories — and foods — are varied

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A small group of entrepreneurs gathered recently to sell their goods at a drive-thru vendor fair at the University of Florida/Pasco County Extension’s One Stop Shop, at 15029 14th St., in Dade City.

Those wishing to make a purchase could swing by on Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., to order items and purchase them, from the comfort of their cars.

Hillbilly Farms prepares gluten-free foods. The company’s founders sold the storefront, but are still selling items prepared at an incubator commercial kitchen in Dade City. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council)

The idea was to support the small businesses, while providing a safe place to shop, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participating vendors included Hillbilly Farms Bakery Shops, Charm City Eats, Lanky Lassie’s Shortbread, Superfood Bakeshop, and Chef Sweets of Luminous Concession.

The stories, shared by some small business owners taking part in the event, are as varied as the foods they sold.

Rhoda Mazerolle, of Hillbilly Farms Bakery, previously sold her gluten-free foods from a storefront that she operated with her husband. They have sold that store and have scaled down, but she continues to prepared wholesale foods at the SMARTstart commercial kitchen, at the One Stop Shop.

The commercial kitchen initiative is the result of a partnership between the Pasco Extension Office, which is part of the University of Florida Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences, Pasco County and Pasco County Economic Development Council Inc., with assistance from Welbilt, an industrial kitchen company.

Amy Henninger, of Charm City Eats, is a newcomer to the Pasco County area — moving here less than two months ago.

She said the commercial kitchen allows her food truck — which specializes in authentic Maryland cuisine — to operate.

Charm City Eats offers authentic Baltimore cuisine. The company was one of the vendors taking part in a recent drive-thru vendor fair at the One Stop Shop in Dade City.

Charm City Eats offers such foods as broiled crab cakes, slow-smoked pit beef, Baltimore fried chicken, hot chicken and hand-cut fries.

Getting into the food business is a big departure for her, she said, noting she used to run a copier company in Baltimore.

But, the pandemic has been a turning point, she said.

“I’m going to be turning 40 soon, and I was just sick of the corporate world, and quotas and nonsense, and stress and all of that. I just wanted to do something different and work for myself,” Henninger said.

Plus, her fiancé loves to cook.

Like Henninger, Mary Katherine Mason Souter — who owns Lanky Lassie’s Shortbread — was greatly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In fact, the entrepreneur said she’s had her shortbread business for years, but it was always a “very, very side hustle, hobby.”

It turned into a full-time career, she said, “100% because of COVID.”

The owner of Lanky Lassie’s estimates she’s baked about 5,000 pounds of shortbread since being laid off from her previous full-time job of doing interior designs and selecting furniture for hotels.

Before turning all of her attention to running a baking company, she did interior designs and selected furniture for hotels.

That came to a halt earlier this year, when she was furloughed in April, then laid off in July.

“Since April, I have made about 5,000 pounds of shortbread,” said the baker, who uses her maiden name, Mason, on her business documents.

Her company’s slogan — “Long legs, short bread” — is a reference to her height, of 6 feet.

She’s grateful for the SMARTstart kitchen.

“Without that kitchen, I would not be able to have my business because in order to be able to ship legally and sell legally online, you have to have your manufacturing license.

“The only way you can have your manufacturing license is to have your commercial kitchen, and it has to be inspected by the Department of Agriculture,” she said.

It turns out that the kitchen is just 2 miles away from where she lives in Dade City.

Dan Mitchell, Pasco EDC’s SMARTstart program coordinator, said “the drive-thru vendor fair was a way for our community to experience the new food businesses that have been developing at the incubator.”

It also gave entrepreneurs a chance to get some feedback and hone their skills, Mitchell added.

Whitney C. Elmore, director of Pasco County Extension, said she’s proud of the vendors who produce their foods at the incubator kitchen.

“They’ve persevered during the pandemic – some had lost their job as a result and we were there, along with Pasco EDC, to provide the resources they needed to start their business,” she said.

“Our vendors provide phenomenal products,” Elmore added, “We were excited to showcase them in a drive-through vendor fair at our One Stop Shop in Dade City.”

Published November 18, 2020

Pasco stays competitive, during pandemic

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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

Pasco Extension gets a new home

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Pasco County Extension is operating out of a new building at the Pasco County Fairgrounds.

The organization, which operates under a partnership between the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Pasco County, also has adapted its programming to provide services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whitney Elmore enjoys her new office at UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County. She said most programming is being done online now, but things will change once the threat from COVID-19 subsides. (B.C. Manion)

Dr. Whitney Elmore, director of UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, recently provided a tour of the new office to a reporter from The Laker/Lutz News.

The 6,400-square-foot facility is a massive upgrade from the Extension’s old office. It features a large, open classroom area — with the potential of adding a sliding wall, to convert the space into two rooms. It also has a small kitchenette and several offices.

“It’s a fantastic new opportunity, not only for the team, but for the citizens — to be able to come here and enjoy it —  a very functional space,” Elmore said.

The new office, which opened in June, was about five years in the making.

It was constructed through a $1.1-million state grant combined with $244,000 in funding from Pasco County and $197,000 from the Pasco County Fair Association. The fair association applied for the state grant, which required local matching funds.

“Now, we have this nice, new facility that really meets our needs, and again, is an excellent educational facility,” Elmore said.

Though the doors are open, people aren’t streaming in yet — as Extension takes precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, following UF/IFAS and Pasco County protocols.

Like other operations throughout Florida, the Extension office closed when Florida went on lockdown.

Then, Extension pivoted.

“We went virtual, quickly. It’s not a surprise, because that’s what Extension is, anywhere — we adjust, we’re flexible, we’re adaptable.

“Honestly, I can’t be prouder of this team. I’m not surprised, but I can’t be prouder of the team.

Receptionist Michelle Jedych loves Pasco County Extension’s new office, at the Pasco County Fairgrounds. She said it provides an inviting venue for people who are coming there to receive services.

“They just, literally, overnight, said, ‘OK, we’re not in person — which has been the standard for 100 years for Extension —  we’re going to make the best of this, we’re going to adjust and we put everything on line.

“So, they just picked up and ran with it,” she said.

Even those who were not particularly comfortable with technology made the switch.

“They knew this is what had to be done. There was not one complaint. There was not one grumble from this team,” Elmore said.

The staff stays focused.

“We are very mission-oriented. We have servant’s hearts. The public needed us in so many ways, and that shifted some, especially with what we call ‘pandemic’ gardening.

“The horticulture questions went through the roof, with people working in our community gardens. Our community gardens employees were considered essential because that’s food systems related and those continued on, not missing a beat.

“We set up dozens of online learning opportunities. We partnered with the Pasco EDC, the Sheriff’s Office, you name it, to offer a wide variety of learning opportunities,” Elmore said.

The efforts received a tremendous response.

“Just our social media engagement went up about 4,000%, in a month,” the Extension services director said.

“We had people from other countries that were tuning in. Definitely, other parts of the state. They learned about us and they also learned about Pasco County,” she said.

Extension and the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., also work together at a facility, called the One Stop Shop, on Lock Street in Dade City. The facility has a commercial kitchen and Pasco EDC offers programs aimed at helping entrepreneurs to establish businesses, and to help existing businesses thrive.

“We had people wanting to come from Miami to use our commercial space, at our One Stop Shop, because of some of the learning opportunities. It put a spotlight on Pasco County, and not just on Extension,” Elmore said.

Concerns about COVID-19 have caused a significant reduction of in-person classes and events.

“We do have some very small, in-person, teaching events. Those typically revolve around people needing to get a license, a certification, to continue or get new employment,” she said.

The University of Florida UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County now has a new facility at the Pasco County Fairgrounds.

Some changes made to remain safe during COVID-19 will become permanent.

“At the end of the day, it’s been in a lot of ways, very beneficial,” she said.

Online programs are not only safer, they’re more convenient, Elmore said.

Extension has introduced new programming, which Elmore expects to continue on — even after in-person activities pick up.

“It opened up lines of creativity and collaboration, across program areas that we never really explored before, that just make sense now,” Elmore said.

Despite valuable changes that have resulted from COVID-19, there have terrible consequences, too, Elmore said.

“There are tremendous negatives to what has transpired. Economics. Jobs. People getting sick and dying.

“We have experienced that loss in our Extension family. Dorothy Moore, she was one of our master gardeners. She passed away in July, in Dade City.

“That was a hard hit for us. Emotionally, that took a toll,” she said, plus it required Extension staffers who had been in contact with Moore to quarantine for 14 days.

Published October 07, 2020

Amazon plans $40 million investment in Pasco

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The Pasco Economic Development Council has announced that Amazon plans to invest $40 million in Pasco County.

The company is planning a new 110,000-square-foot facility in Lutz, according to a Pasco EDC news release.

The facility will be located on a portion of the Hayman-Fuentes property near the northeast corner of State Road 54 and the Suncoast Parkway, according to Lauren Miceli, marketing and communications manager for Pasco EDC.

“This new facility will add hundreds of direct and indirect jobs to Pasco County,” Bill Cronin, president/CEO of Pasco EDC, said in the economic development agency’s release.

The new delivery station in Lutz “will power Amazon’s last-mile delivery capabilities to speed up deliveries for customers in Pasco County,” according to an Amazon news release.

“Delivery stations enable Amazon Logistics to supplement capacity and flexibility to Amazon’s delivery capabilities,” the company release says.

The Lutz delivery station is expected to open in 2021, according to Amazon.

Local officials are delighted by Amazon’s decision to invest in Pasco.

“Amazon’s jobs are unique in the sense that some will work directly for the company and others can essentially open their own business and work as a third party with them. It’s a great opportunity for our residents to start their own small business,” Cronin added.

“The county and Pasco EDC have worked hard to create mixed-use neighborhoods and attract a variety of industries to Pasco,” Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells said in the Pasco EDC release. “Amazon putting their trust that Pasco is the right place for them shows that our team’s hard work is paying off and we welcome them to our community.”

Amazon’s delivery stations offer entrepreneurs the opportunity to build their own business delivering Amazon packages, as well as independent contractors the flexibility to be their own boss and create their own schedule delivering for Amazon Flex.

Amazon has more than 150 delivery stations in the United States.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore reacted to the news, in an Amazon release that announced the company’s upcoming Tampa Bay plans.

“I am thrilled to welcome Amazon and the additional jobs this facility will bring to our community,” Moore said, in the release. “This is another example of Pasco County government and the Pasco Economic Development Council working together to make Pasco County the premier place for business.”

In addition to its planned Lutz facility, the company also has announced a new fulfillment center in Temple Terrace, which is expected to create 720 jobs. That, too, is expected to launch in 2021.

Amazon currently operates seven fulfillment and sortation centers in the state, in Jacksonville, Davenport, Orlando, Miami, Ruskin and Lakeland, according to a company news release.

Amazon’s new operations facility in Temple Terrace will span more than 600,000 square feet on the ground floor. Employees at the site will work alongside innovative technologies to pick, pack and ship smaller customer items, such as books, electronics, small household goods and toys, the Amazon release says.

Amazon will hire for roles in human resources, operations management, safety, security, finance and information technology.

Amazon offers a minimum starting wage of $15 per hour. Its full-time employees also receive full medical, vision and dental insurance, as well as a 401(k), with a 50% company match, beginning on Day 1.

To learn more about Amazon, visit Amazon.com.

Published August 12, 2020

 

New interchange will ease congestion

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Construction crews could be turning dirt within months on a new interchange at Interstate 75 and Overpass Road.

A contractor is expected to be selected by August, and completion is expected about 2 ½ years after construction begins.

The junction frequently is identified as a “gateway” into Pasco County, and a potential catalyst for new development in a largely rural area already experiencing a burst of growth.

The new I-75/Overpass Road interchange is expected to significantly reduce the volume of vehicles per day here and at two other interchanges. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

“It has a regional impact for Pasco,” said Bill Cronin, president and chief executive officer of the Pasco Economic Development Council. “Another exit opens into the county where we have potential for residential and commercial growth. That is another big gateway for Pasco County from the north but from the east, too.”

On a more local scale, the new interchange is expected to ease traffic congestion, bring more connectivity to northeast Pasco cities, and give the county another evacuation route for hurricanes and other emergencies.

“The benefit to the county is just tremendous,” said Margaret Smith, Pasco’s director of engineering services. “We’re giving residential and commercial users a whole other entrance. It takes the volume of traffic off the two busiest interchanges.”

Margaret Smith

Situated about halfway between I-75 interchanges with County Road 54 and State Road 52, traffic engineers estimate a reduction of about 13,000 vehicles per day at each interchange.

It also opens up an east/west route that aids current development in the area, including the futuristic Connected City and its Crystal Lagoon, as well as the Villages of Pasadena Hills.

Once the contractor is selected, final design details will be completed. Conceptually, though, the interchange is expected to be a modified diamond exchange with a flyover.

Pasco County is paying for the project, except for $15 million provided by the Florida Legislature. The final price tag has not yet been determined.

In this rendering, cars are eastbound as they approach the I-75/Overpass Road interchange.

The Florida Department of Transportation is partnering as managers of the project — which includes vetting the construction bids.

It’s significant that Pasco will get a new interchange along one of the major state highways in the country, Cronin said.

Interstate 75 begins in the south at Miami Lakes, Florida and passes through five states before it ends at Sault St. Marie, Michigan, on the Canadian border.

While roadwork and new development, along State Road 54, State Road 52 and the Suncoast Parkway, are highly visible, the I-75 interchange’s potential can be overlooked, Cronin said.

But, its role in attracting developers for commercial, residential and industrial projects will be significant, he added.

The new I-75/Overpass Road interchange will feature a flyover.

“You’ve got pretty good sites for industrial growth,” he said.

And, projects, such as distribution centers, built on speculation, will attract new economic development, he said.

“As soon as you announce that, 10 are in there,” Cronin said. “Space is needed so badly.”

Even Connected City, with its residential and unique Crystal Lagoon, includes industrial in its overall master plan, Cronin said.

Development in the area off the Overpass interchange is well-suited for distribution and office centers “where staff will be driving to work,” Cronin said.

That is in contrast to Suncoast Parkway development, which has “more value for people flying in and out of airports,” he added.

One beneficiary of the new interchange is a former county-owned spray field just south of Overpass Road at the interchange.

Bill Cronin, CEO and president of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc. (File)

Pasco County commissioners approved a land sale in December 2019, and an incentive package, to aid Atlanta-based Rooker Company in developing the 99-acre site as an industrial park.

In phase one, Rooker plans to build a 400,000-square-foot distribution center that is expected to bring hundreds of jobs to Pasco.

“We hope they’ll duplicate this over and over, and over again,” Cronin said.

Amid the new development, the Pasco Rural Protection Overlay District stands as a protection for rural lands and landscapes. Its borders generally are Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, the Green Swamp, State Road 52 and the Hernando County line.

Job creation and growth matters, said Cronin, but development decisions must be made with care.

“Once you use it, you can’t get it back,” he said. “There are a lot of things up there we don’t want to touch.”

In coming years, future and ongoing projects will create more east/west connections that will weave a network of new roadways. They include the Overpass interchange, but also extending State Road 56, widening and realigning State Road 52, and a realignment of U.S. 301 and U.S. 98, with connections to I-75 to the west, and Interstate 4 to the east.

“It’s coming together really well,” Cronin said. “The county has really championed this effort.”

The following highlights features of the new I-75/Overpass Road interchange:

  • Overpass Road from Old Pasco Road to I-75 will be four lanes with bike lanes, a sidewalk on the south side of Overpass, and multi-use trail on the north side of Overpass.
  • Overpass Road bridge will be four lanes with an eastbound to northbound turn-lane. The bridge will include bike lanes, a sidewalk and multi-use paths.
  • Overpass Road from I-75 to Boyette Road will be six lanes with two auxiliary lanes, bike lanes, a sidewalk, multi-use path, turn lane improvements at Overpass and Boyette, and a traffic signal.
  • A traffic signal will be installed at Old Pasco Road and Overpass.
  • Blair Drive access to Overpass will be closed, but a new two-lane road constructed from Blair to Old Pasco, south of Overpass.
  • Current McKendree Road access at Overpass will be relocated to alternate location on Boyette, north of Overpass.
  • Current secondary entry into Wesley Chapel District Park will be closed, with park entrance reconfigured for multi-modes of transportation, including for pedestrians and bicyclists.
  • Overpass between Old Pasco and Boyette will be closed for up to one year during interchange construction.

Published June 17, 2020

Chambers adapt to new circumstances

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Small businesses are struggling to reopen amid the uncertainties wrought by the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Chambers of commerce are right there with them on the front line.

They are dealing with staff layoffs in some cases. They’ve been working from home. They have fewer resources.

And, even as chambers begin reopening their offices, the priority is the economic recovery of member businesses.

Ribbon cuttings, for a while, are on hold.

“We had to pivot,” said Hope Kennedy, president of The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

From Day One of the shutdown, there was an urgency to how chambers should respond. They had to rethink what it means to network and provide services that would help businesses stay solvent and resilient.

To be sure, there were phone calls. Lots of them.

But, the new virtual world meant rethinking social media and technology. Zoom meetings and virtual town halls blossomed.

Websites became clearinghouses for grants and forgivable loans, and the latest information businesses needed to survive, and now to reopen, safely.

“We’ve done a lot of individual communicating with our members,” Kennedy said.

Initially, the focus was on helping business owners apply for financial aid, either locally or from the federal Payroll Protection Program.

Chambers partnered with Pasco County and the Pasco Economic Development Council to coordinate efforts to deliver financial aid to distressed businesses and residents.

Kennedy heard from business owners who told her, “if we had not had all this information on our website, they wouldn’t have gotten them.”

As businesses reopen, she added, “We’ve turned into a repository for businesses that need to rehire.”

Chambers are taking one step at a time, as lights turn back on at businesses.

“Cautiously optimistic is what we are,” said Melanie Monson, executive director of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

She believes people are following the protocols to make sure the situation does not get worse.

As the shutdown approached, Monson said her staff checked in with business owners to prepare them.

About 100 business owners needed to create plans to get through the crisis and to guide them once reopened.

“Most are prepared and ready to jump back in,” Monson said. “Are there going to be some who don’t open doors? Absolutely.”

But, she added, “I feel like there is enough help that businesses will recover. It will take a while. We’re optimistic that we’ll make it through the process. It’s not a light switch. It’s going to take a little bit of a process. Businesses in it for the long haul will make it.”

Like the businesses they serve, chambers also are reopening —  slowly and with safety protocols.

The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce started with one person each day at the office, behind a locked door. Visitors needed to wear masks, as did employees. Social distancing was required. Within the next weeks, the chamber anticipates “ramping up a little,” said John Moors, chamber executive director.

During the shutdown, work continued from home to keep business owners up to date on available aid and resources.

Renewal rates on memberships were discounted, and e-blasts and advertising were provided free, Moors said.

“It’s important that we bring connectivity and continue to offer support for our businesses,” he said. “We are resilient, very creative. We’ll figure this thing out.”

Pasco County and cities, such as Dade City, did their part.

Dade City officials, for instance, sent out fliers to 6,000 households about products and services available from area businesses.

The city also relaxed requirements for outdoor seating to allow restaurants to serve more customers.

Dade City, and its chamber, thrive on annual events including a seminar at Saint Leo University and a golf tournament.

The fate of the chamber’s biggest event of the year – the Kumquat Festival – is unclear, even though it typically is held in February.

“We’re not sure it’s going on the same as it has been,” Moors said.

The festival is the chamber’s most reliable fundraising event, bringing thousands into downtown Dade City.

North Tampa Bay chamber scheduled a movie night for May 16, featuring “Jumanji – Next Level” at The Groves at Wesley Chapel. Sponsorships made the showing  possible.

Every chamber is facing budget losses. And, even as chambers helped its members file for financial aid, nothing similar was available for chambers.

If more aid is approved by Congress, Kennedy hopes to see the chambers included this time.

“We’ve been advocates for that from Day One,” she said. She has spoken with Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, and U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis. “There’s been a little bit of traction the last couple of days,” she said.

Kelly Marsh, member care specialist for The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce, agrees that chambers need help, too.

“Fingers crossed on that,” she said.

Last week, the chamber hosted a Zoom meeting for a Land O’ Lakes Brochure Exchange. Owners could virtually promote their services and find out what other owners are doing.

“It hasn’t been as easy to reach people,” said Marsh. Social media and technology are taking on larger roles in networking, she said.

There is a concern especially for the ‘mom and pop’ shops and restaurants, and the toll the long shutdown took on their incomes.

It appears that most people are just “trying to get through it (the pandemic),” she said.

Published May 20, 2020

More small businesses to get county grants

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The Pasco County Commission on May 4 provided $5 million more in funding for small business grants — bringing the total to $7 million — to help small businesses that have been struggling because of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19 pandemic.

The money is coming from Penny for Pasco funds, which are generated through a voter-approved additional 1 cent in sales tax revenues to help cover identified Pasco County needs. A portion of that funding was earmarked for economic development.

Commissioners have been working with the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., a nonprofit agency that focuses on attracting new businesses to Pasco, and helping existing businesses.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an economic crisis, as businesses were forced to close to reduce the potential spread of the deadly virus.

As a result, business revenues have plummeted and scores of the businesses that have been shuttered might be closed for good.

Commissioners have been working with the Pasco EDC, which has administered the grant program.

Commissioners approved $2 million initially, with grants of up to $5,000 for qualifying businesses.

But, that $2 million fell far short of the need, with more than 1,400 companies applying for  the grants within the first 24 hours.

Out of the first 450 applications received, 405 qualified for a total of $1,965,000 in grants, according to the Pasco EDC.

The additional funding is expected to provide funding for the remaining qualifying companies, among those who have already submitted applications.

Published May 20, 2020

$2 million in grants aim to help Pasco businesses

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The Pasco Economic Development Council Inc. (Pasco EDC), received more than 1,400 applications, before cutting applications off, for a grant program aimed at providing $2 million in assistance to small businesses.

Pasco EDC partnered with Pasco County to provide this relief grant program for small businesses affected by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Penny for Pasco revenues will be used to provide the relief.

Besides creating a global medical crisis, COVID-19 has caused an economic meltdown, as businesses have been shuttered to prevent potential spread of the deadly virus.

Bill Cronin, president and CEO of the Pasco EDC, outlined the emergency business program during an April 21 virtual Pasco County Commission meeting.

Cronin explained the idea was to provide up to $5,000 grants to eligible small businesses — based on a first-come, first-served basis.

If every business received $5,000, that would provide grants for 400 businesses, Cronin said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano praised the grant program.

“To actually find out a way to help the small businesses, especially in this tough time, I think is phenomenal,” he said.

But, Mariano asked if smaller grants could be given. Some small businesses might not need the entire $5,000, and more could be helped if they don’t.

Cronin responded: “You do need to make sure that it’s able to make an impact. At $5,000, you can actually cover a rent payment or a mortgage payment, or at least something the landlord would be willing to take. Right now, we’ve identified there is $2 million to use for this fund.”

Commission Chairman Mike Moore agreed with Cronin that the grant should be large enough to make an impact.

Commissioner Ron Oakley observed: “Those 400 small businesses are going to go in a hurry, I think.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said: “I’m very grateful for this effort.”

The board approved the emergency grant program on April 21 and, by 6 p.m., on April 22 the Pasco EDC stopped accepting applications.

The applications are being vetted and applicants will be informed of their status soon, according to a Pasco EDC news release.

Businesses must meet a number of requirements and cannot have more than 25 employees.

The review committee includes bankers and county staff.

No county commissioners are part of the committee, Moore noted, during the board discussion of the grant program.

Published April 29, 2020

Impacts of pandemic being felt across Pasco

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As the death toll rises and the economic meltdown continues — communities and businesses across the country grapple with impacts of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Pasco County’s priorities have been to protect the health and well-being of its residents and to get the economy back on track, as quickly as possible when the pandemic passes, said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, in an email.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore said the county has been focusing its energies on keeping residents safe during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic. It also is putting a high priority on getting the economy on track, once the pandemic passes. (File)

The county’s emergency management center has been working around the clock, and the county is in constant contact with local hospitals, and state and federal agencies, Moore said.

The county also has continued to order sample and test kits, as well as personal protection equipment for first responders and health care professionals, he added.

The county also has been proactive in identifying and securing locations for hospital overflow, should it be needed, Moore said, noting it has 38 standby locations.

And, Moore noted that he recently took part in a virtual town hall with representatives of the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., and the Florida SBDC, to provide information to businesses about resources where they can seek  help, as many struggle to survive.

Another town hall is planned April 30 at 2:30 p.m., to focus on the unique challenges being experienced by the special needs community. (This will be a Zoom conference, with audio availability. Details to come). Experts will share their knowledge of best practices.

Moore also noted that although some functions of government are closed to the public, others continue to function to provide services — such as public transportation and virtual inspections.

Library buildings are closed, but online services are being offered.

The pandemic has hurt the county’s economy, and thereby county revenues. It is now reevaluating several projects, Moore said, but he did not provide specifics.

He did say “our tourism department is taking a beating right now” because it relies on tourist development taxes to fund it.

Moore also thanked residents, noting the vast majority are staying home unless they need essentials, such as food or medicine, or need to go to essential places of work.

“I suggest wearing a face covering while at the store to protect others, as well as yourself,” he said.

Pasco County Commission Kathryn Starkey is encouraging residents and businesses to do what they can to help others during the pandemic.

During a recent ZOOM virtual meeting of WOW TOO, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey also talked about the local impacts of COVID-19.

“I think we’re very fortunate in Pasco County that we don’t have the high densities that you’re seeing in South Florida and some of the counties to the south of us. Our percentage of positives is much lower, and I think people in Pasco County are doing a great job of social distancing,” Starkey told the women’s networking group, which is part of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

“We tried to keep business open, as usual, in Pasco County,” she said.

“We were in the midst of transitioning some of our permitting to online; some of that won’t be done until the end of the month, unfortunately. A little bit of business, as far as development business, has come to a halt.”

Virtual inspections, however, are ongoing, she said.

“As far as our budget, we know that it’s taken a hit. Our sales tax has taken a hit,” she said. “We’re reanalyzing what our budget is going to look like for next year.

“We’ve got a little bit of a freeze on, as far as hiring,” she said, noting that the county wants to be sure that it is as efficient as possible.

“We hesitated at doing the Stay at Home, Safer at Home, because the Pasco County numbers were pretty darn good, and people were being, I think, mostly respectful of the 6-foot distance, and not congregating in big numbers,” Starkey said.

“We wanted our businesses to be able to stay in business as long as possible.

“We know that this is hurting a lot of people,” she said.

But, even with the governor’s Stay at Home order, there are some things that are open, Starkey noted.

For instance, people can use Starkey Wilderness Park. “You can walk and hike in the park,” she said, but you can’t drive there — you’ll need to find a place to park nearby.

There are also U-Pick farms open, where people can pick blueberries or peaches.

Starkey is encouraging county residents and businesses to do what they can to support local restaurants.

She puts out a daily newsletter to keep people posted on new developments regarding COVID-19. To sign up for the newsletter, email your request to .

Published April 22, 2020