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SMARTstart to Host Fourth Annual GROW Pasco Event for Entrepreneurs SMARTstart is hosting GROW Pasco to help educate business owners throughout Pasco County and provide an environment to network with like-minded entrepreneurs. The event will take place on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at the brand-new Saint Leo University Wellness Center in San Antonio, Florida. The event will feature 15 breakout sessions led by over 25 business professionals. The speakers will be covering a wide variety of session topics on areas such as marketing and social media, artificial intelligence, and valuable local resources for businesses. TECO Energy is the Title Sponsor of the event, click here to view all event sponsors.
three Entrepreneur Centers across Pasco County to provide opportunities to best suit their needs. The event is hosted in partnership with the Pasco Enterprise Network (PEN), a group of resource partners involved in the SMARTstart program who provide valuable guidance to entrepreneurs as they navigate the business landscape; there will also be a panel discussion at the event to highlight these PEN Partners. “GROW Pasco provides engaging opportunities for entrepreneurs that are looking to start or grow a business in Pasco County. The session topics are hand-picked from input previous attendees have shared to cover the wants and needs of local businesses,” shared Bill Cronin, Pasco EDC President/CEO. “We are especially excited to host this year’s event at the recently opened Saint Leo University Wellness Center. This state-of-the-art facility is beautiful, and the event is a perfect opportunity for the community to see the facility and learn more about their entrepreneurial journey.” The lunch session will feature keynote speaker Colonel Jay Powers, COO of the Tampa Bay Wave. His presentation is titled “Lead Your Way to Entrepreneurial Success” and will discuss how leadership and self-care underpin organizational growth and success.
The Pasco EDC entrepreneurship program, SMARTstart, is Penny for Pasco supported and features an innovative suite of programs that provides the tools growing businesses need for long-term success in areas like funding, education, guidance, collaboration, and workspace. SMARTstart has helped create over 500 jobs and currently has 54 incubator members. The members’ businesses vary from multiple types of food businesses cooking in the commercial kitchen in Dade City to 3-D printing and technology companies at The Grove in Wesley Chapel. All members have access to the
“GROW Pasco provided me the opportunity to gain knowledge, network, and create meaningful connections in an environment with leaders and decision makers that impact our community,” shared Sandra Daniels, Evolve Enterprises, LLC Owner/Founder and a 2023 GROW Pasco attendee. To learn more about the sessions being offered at GROW Pasco and to register, visit https://pascoedc.com/events/ details/grow-pasco-2024. The cost is $45 per person and includes a continental breakfast and seated lunch.
During the Month of November 2023 Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s Offices Collected Over $6,000 to Support St. Vincent de Paul CARES During the month of November 2023 Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices featured St. Vincent de Paul CARES, an organization dedicated primarily to ending homelessness, especially among the veteran population. A total of $6,050.00 was collected and presented to St. Vincent de Paul CARES following the fundraising drive. These funds will be dedicated to finding homes for veterans who currently do not have a permanent place to live.
with permanent solutions. With many thanks to a very generous community who donated to our efforts, we hope that those who sacrificed their time and safety to keep our nation safe and free will no longer find themselves living in the woods or on the streets.”
For more information about St. Vincent de Paul CARES please contact Merrell Dickey, Chief of Development at (727) 201-9875 or visit www.svdpsp.org. For more information about the promotional and charitable giving “On behalf of the entire staff of St. Vincent de Paul CARES,” programs at the tax collector’s office please contact comments Merrell Dickey, Chief of Development, “thank Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at 727-847-8179 or you so much for the incredibly generous donation to visit www.pascotaxes.com. support ending homelessness, and your partnership, which supports US Veterans, individuals, and families facing the trauma of homelessness with solutions-based programs that set them on the road to long-term success. Together, we are ending homelessness, making it rare, brief, and one-time.” “It was a blessing to feature St. Vincent de Paul CARES as our November Charity-of-the-Month,” remarks Tax Collector Mike Fasano. “It is unacceptable that men and women who put on the uniform of the United States Armed Forces should one day find themselves homeless. Thankfully, organizations such as St. Vincent de Paul CARES are helping to address this problem
PHOTO – Administrative staff from the Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s Office join Merrell Dickey, representing St. Vincent de Paul CARES, for the check presentation. From left to right: Crystal Moore, T.C. Daerda, Michelle VanCuren, Merrell Dickey, Greg Giordano, and Janet Oroz
