Pasco Business Digest for Jan. 26

Business digest

Briefly

SMALL BUSINESS BRIDGE LOANS HELP PASCO: The Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida facilitated 141 Florida Emergency Bridge Loans, totalling $7,515,100 in funding. In Pasco County, eight loans totalling $199,000 were administered. The loan program was activated by Gov. Rick Scott on Sept. 14, 2017, as a result of Hurricane Irma. On Oct. 6, the program was expanded to include Florida's citrus businesses. The interest-free loan program was available to small business owners and citrus businesses throughout Florida that experienced physical and/or economic damage as a result of the storm. Small business owners could qualify for up to $50,000, while citrus growers could apply for up to $150,000. For information, visit SBDCTampaBay.com/resources.

Who's news

CHAMBER APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce recently appointed Suzanne Beauchaine as its new executive director. Beauchaine has served as the chamber's marketing and membership director for the past year. To reach her, email Director@CentralPascoChamber.com.

Events

MORNING COFFEE WITH SCORE: Join Pasco Hernando SCORE for a casual gathering to discuss different business topics each month. Coffee with SCORE: Imports and Exports will be from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at SMARTstart West Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 4532 U.S. 19, New Port Richey. The event is an open and interactive discussion. Coffee and doughnuts will be served. For information, call (727) 842-4638.

ECONOMIC FORECAST LUNCHEON: The Pasco Economic Development Council for North Tampa Bay will host the annual Economic Forecast Luncheon Feb. 2 at Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Suncoast Parkway, 2155 Northpointe Parkway, Lutz. Networking and registration from 11 to 11:30 a.m., buffet lunch/presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Kyle Baltuch, director of development and economist at Florida TaxWatch, will present his views on the regional economy along with his analysis and forecast for the year. Tickets are $35 per person. RSVP no later than Jan. 31. Call (888) 607-2726 or visit PascoEDC.com/Events.

Building skills

SMALL-BUSINESS SEMINARS: Pasco Hernando SCORE is presenting a series of free small-business seminars:

• Pricing for Profit, 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 6, SMARTstart West Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 4532 U.S. 19, New Port Richey.

• Tax Implications for Small Business, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6, SMARTstart West Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 4532 U.S. 19, New Port Richey.

• How to Apply for a Business Loan, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6, Centennial Park Branch Library, 5740 Moog Road, Holiday.

• Utilizing "You Tube" to Promote Your Business, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12, Regency Park Library, 9701 Little Road, New Port Richey.

• Building a Business Plan for a Successful Business, 5 to 6:45 p.m. Feb. 13, New Port Richey Library, 5939 Main St., New Port Richey.

Follow trends affecting the local economy

Subscribe to our free Business by the Bay newsletter

We’ll break down the latest business and consumer news and insights you need to know every Wednesday.

Loading...

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

• How to Apply for a 501c(3), 5 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13, Hudson Regional Library, 8012 Library Road, Hudson.

To register or to get more information, visit pascohernando.score.org and click on the local workshops tab or call the SCORE office at (727) 842-4638.

If you have business announcements you would like to share, mail the details to Jean Hamilton, Business Digest, Pasco Times, 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey, FL 34668. You may also email items to jhamilton@tampabay.com or fax them to (352) 754-6133. Submitted items may be edited for length and clarity. Photos are published as space permits; they will not be returned. Call (352) 848-1438.

Networking and mixers

•?Trinity Positive Business Network: 8:30 a.m. Mondays at Oasis Coffee Spot, 9213 Little Road, New Port Richey. Call Tony Nalli at (727) 858-7907.

•?Women's Connection of New Port Richey: 11:30 a.m. the second Monday of each month (September through May) at Spartan Manor, 6121 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey. Cost is $15 and includes lunch and a speaker. To RSVP, call Linda at (727) 856-4042 or Anita at (727) 863-2126.

•?BNI Outlook to Success: 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Verizon Event Center, 8718 Trouble Creek Road, New Port Richey. Cost is $10 and includes breakfast. Call (727) 815-7744.

•?Suncoast Women in Networking: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at Beef'O'Brady's, 5546 Main St., New Port Richey. Suncoast WIN is a group of professional businesswomen. Membership is $10 per year. Call Myrtle at (727) 934-9993.

•?Rotary Club of Lutz: 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at Heritage Harbor Golf and Country Club, 19502 Heritage Harbor Parkway, Lutz. Cost is $12, includes lunch and speaker. Call (813) 857-7089 or visit lutzrotary.org.

•?West Pasco Business Association Monday Chapter: 11:45 a.m. Mondays, Brass Tap - Trinity, 10700 State Road 54, Trinity. The group is made up of professionals who promote each other's businesses. Visit wpba.biz.

•?West Pasco Business Association Tuesday Chapter: 5:15 p.m. Tuesdays at the WPBA office, 2150 Seven Springs Blvd., Trinity. The group is made up of professionals who promote each other's businesses. Visit wpba.biz.

•?West Pasco Business Association Friday Chapter: 8:15 a.m. Fridays at the Oasis Coffee Spot, 9213 Little Road, New Port Richey. The group is made up of professionals who promote each other's businesses. Visit wpba.biz.

•?Trinity Business Association: 6 to 7:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Fox Hollow Country Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway. Networking begins at 5:30 p.m., meeting starts at 6 p.m. Guests welcome. Cost is $12. Call Ginny Pierce at (727) 433-4073.

•?BNI Platinum: 7:15 a.m. Wednesdays at Heritage Harbor Golf & Country Club, 19502 Heritage Harbor Parkway, Lutz. Call Bob Nixon at (813) 263-5632.

•?Pasco Business Connections: 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Broken Yolk, 3350 Grand Blvd., Holiday. Email noworries@tampabay.rr.com.

•?Wednesday Morning Networking Group: 7:30 a.m. the first and third Wednesdays of each month at Hungry Harry's Family Bar-B-Que, 3116 Land O'Lakes Blvd. A short networking presentation will be followed by a chance for all attendees to do a 30-second commercial. The event sponsor is Proly, Laporte & Mulligan P.A. Cost is $7 and includes breakfast. Call the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce at (813) 909-2722.

•?Keep It Local-Trinity Chapter: 8 a.m. Wednesdays at Havana Dreamers Cafe, 3104 Town Ave., Trinity. (813) 405-7815.

•?Pasco Aging Network: 8 to 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month. Location changes each month. For information or to RSVP, visit pascoagingnetwork.org. PAN is a coalition of agencies and private providers of elder services in Pasco.

•?Keep It Local-Wesley Chapel Chapter: 8:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Lexington Oaks Golf & Country Club, 26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd., Wesley Chapel. (813) 405-7815.

•?Keep It Local-Christian Women's Network Chapter: 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Direction Connection, 2632 U.S. 19, Holiday. (813) 405-7815.

•?Free Networking International: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays at Cantina Laredo, 2000 Piazza Ave., Building 4, Suite 170, Wesley Chapel (at the Shops at Wiregrass). Attendees pay for their own lunch. Call Martine Duncan at (813) 929-6816.

•?Keep It Local-New Port Richey Chapter: 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Direction Connection, 2632 U.S. 19, Holiday. (813) 405-7815.

•?Keep It Local-Odessa/Trinity Chapter: 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Seven Springs Golf & Country Club, 3535 Trophy Blvd., Trinity. (813) 405-7815.

•?West Pasco Business Network: noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays at Denny's, 12105 U.S. 19, Hudson. Call Pete Petrignani at (727) 967-3106.

•?BNI Eagles: 7:15 a.m. Thursdays at Spartan Manor, 6121 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey. Cost is $10 and includes breakfast. Call Clay Henderson at (727) 534-5191.

•?BNI Referral Connection: 7:15 to 9 a.m. Thursdays at Vallarta's Mexican Restaurant, 22948 State Road 54, Lutz. Call Rob Hamilton at (813) 431-5887.

•?Christian Business Connections of Central Pasco: 7:45 to 9:15 a.m. Thursdays at Quail Hollow Golf Club, 6225 Old Pasco Road, Wesley Chapel. Cost of $9 per meeting, includes breakfast and beverages. Annual membership dues are $100. Call Rene Van Hout at (813) 300-7511.

•?Trinity/West Pasco Chapter of NPI: 7:45 a.m. Thursdays at The Grand Plaza Café, 4040 Little Road, New Port Richey. Call Rob Marlowe at (727) 847-2424.

•?Networking For Your Success: 8 a.m. Thursdays at Lexington Oaks Country Club, 2615 Lexington Oaks Blvd., Wesley Chapel. Cost is $5 and includes a continental breakfast. Annual membership is $79. Call Matt at (813) 782-1777.

•?Women-n-Charge: 11:30 a.m. on the first Friday of each month, Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Dr., Tampa. Cost is $15 for members in advance, $18 for guests and at the door. Call Judy at (813) 600-9848.