October Update from Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore

October Update from Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore

I hope you had a safe and healthy September! I appreciate you taking the time to read these updates about what is happening in Pasco County. We are fortunate to live in an exciting and growing community.

September is always a solemn month as we remember the September 11th terrorist attacks. I had the privilege of joining the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel’s annual memorial and recognition of our local first responders. Our community has a September 11th memorial wall at Tampa Premium Outlets.

I have some good news to share about our Census efforts. In early September, Pasco County exceeded the Census self-response rate from 2010. This will play an important role in state and federal funding and representation over the coming decade. I want to extend a huge thank you to our citizens for answering our call to make Pasco count in the 2020 Census! As we continue to respond to COVID-19, we know people are still hurting. There are many other programs out there, from reimbursement grants for Personal Protective Equipment and training on how to properly clean facilities for businesses to Pasco CARES program to help with bills for individuals. Please check out MyPasco.net for the latest information and eligibility for these programs. Our tourism recovery efforts are continuing. On Labor Day weekend, a hockey tournament at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel generated over 900 room nights in Pasco County. The weekend of September 12th and 13th, Pasco was home to tournaments in six different sports: baseball, beach volleyball, golf, hockey, and volleyball. The last weekend in September, the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County hosted the Blue Star 30 girls’ basketball event. This was a major showcase tournament for college coaches that was originally scheduled to be held in New Orleans as part of the Women’s Final Four weekend. They chose to come to our community and generate over 800 room nights. These events, with health and safety plans in place, bring people to spend money at our local businesses. We are truly Florida’s Sports Coast!

The Pasco Economic Development Council has played a key role in the efforts to support our businesses. Please check out a special video they produced, Pasco 2020: A Story of Strength on the Pasco

EDC YouTube or Facebook pages. I hope you and your family enjoy a wonderful October! Please stay safe by following the guidelines provided by our health experts: wear a face covering when you cannot distance from others, wash your hands regularly, and avoid large groups. We will continue to get through this by working together!