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VetCheck Urgent Care Center and Dream Dental Studio Join Avalon Park Wesley Chapel
Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is excited to announce the addition of two new businesses that are set to enhance the community with essential services: VetCheck Urgent Care Center (Suite 130) and Dream Dental Studio (Suite 140).
VetCheck Urgent Care Center, co-owned by Dr. Siva Nalabotu, Sudheer Duggirala, and Srinivas Chand Gorrepati, will provide top-tier veterinary care for pets in the Wesley Chapel area. This premier veterinary clinic is dedicated to offering compassionate, high-quality care, making it a perfect fit for Avalon Park’s family-friendly environment. “VetCheck Pet Urgent Care Center is focused around bettering the communities we serve; Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is no exception,” said Chowdary. “We’re looking forward to playing a vital role in the growth of this community and serving the current and future pet owners!”
Joining VetCheck is Dream Dental Studio. Led by Dr. Hetvi Patel, a Wesley Chapel resident, Dream Dental Studio is dedicated to providing a comprehensive and relaxing dental experience for all age groups, from 3 to 99 years old. “We are super excited to be working with the Avalon Park Group and establishing our business in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel,” said Dr. Patel. “Our mission is to make meaningful impacts on everyone we touch and to build long-term relationships within the community. Avalon Park’s vision of creating a safe and vibrant space for families resonates deeply with our own goals.”
Beat Kahli, CEO of Avalon Park Group, welcomed the new additions with enthusiasm: “We are delighted to welcome VetCheck Urgent Care Center and Dream Dental Studio to Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. These businesses represent our commitment to creating a well-rounded, family-oriented community where residents can access a wide range of services close to home. The dedication of both the VetCheck team and Dr. Patel to serving the community aligns perfectly with our vision for Avalon Park.”
Grand Opening Celebration:
To celebrate the ongoing growth of Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, the community is invited to a grand opening event on Thursday September 19th, featuring the participation of VetCheck Urgent Care Center, Dream Dental Studio, ISI Elite Training, Rita’s Italian Ice, Prime Barbershop, Tallo Restaurant & Bar, and other local businesses. The event will showcase the vibrant community spirit and offer an opportunity for residents to explore the new services available to them.
For more information about Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, or the grand opening event, visit avalonparkwesleychapel.com.
Grand Opening in Downtown Avalon Park
Over 35 years ago, in 1988, the Brown Family of Pasco County faced a significant challenge. They owned 1,800 acres of farmland, known as New River or the Brown Ranch (now known as Avalon Park Wesley Chapel), but were at risk of losing it due to IRS obligations. At that time, I was in my 20s and can say that this was one of the earliest and most prominent situations where I learned the value of a winwin solution, a strategy that I still highly value in all of my business dealings to this day.
Our partnership purchased the 1,800 acres from the Brown Family, allowing them to continue farming on the land until we were ready to develop it. While Bill Brown sadly passed away in his early 60s, he was able to farm, hunt, and enjoy the land he had sold to us for the rest of his life. Importantly, selling the land also enabled him to settle with the IRS.
When I first drove down SR 54 from I-75, it was hard to imagine that anything resembling a town would take shape here in my lifetime.
The area felt remote and isolated. But time has flown by, and today, a town is emerging from scratch.
On September 19, 2024, we invite you to the grand opening of our first mixed-use building, the cornerstone of Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. This free event will feature ribbon cutting, refreshments, and the opportunity to meet all of the tenants opening a business in this building.
Rome was not built in a day, and the same is true here. With all the recent developments, from the widening of SR 54 to the outstanding, A-Rated Pinecrest Academy K-12 charter school, now in its final phase of construction, I can see a vibrant town where people can live, learn, work, and play taking shape before our eyes.
With our flagship community, Avalon Park Orlando 99.9% complete, and a population that has grown from zero in the late ‘80s to nearly 60,000 residents today, Avalon Park Group is shifting much of our focus to developing Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. This billion-dollar project will include homes, apartments, retail spaces, offices, and more.
We would love to hear your thoughts on what should be built in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. The best ideas often come from our residents! Send me an email to Info@AvalonParkSun.com.
Looking forward to celebrating with you on September 19th!
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CHECK OUT OUR September EVENTS! THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, AND WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU SOON. VIRTUAL OPTIONS AVAILABLE AS WELL.
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CoVar Transportation Opens Central Florida Headquarters in Pasco County
Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) is working with CoVar Transportation as they grow their business in Pasco County, Florida. CoVar Transportation has leased 5,500 square feet in The Edison Suncoast and invested $20,000 in office furniture and equipment. The new Pasco County location will serve as their new central Florida headquarters. As the company celebrates 10 years in business this year, they are looking forward to doubling their current team of 18 over the next few years as they continue to grow.
“CoVar has expanded in Pasco County and has sufficient room to continue their rapid growth,” shared Bill Cronin, President/CEO, Pasco EDC. “Celebrating 10 years in business is a great milestone, and they already have three locations throughout the county, we are ecstatic they have chosen our community for their central Florida headquarters.”
CoVar is a third-party logistics provider that connects truck drivers to customers looking to move products. The company also acts as a pure-plate freight broker in the transportation sector. CoVar opened a location in Trinity, Florida in 2020 and has additional locations in DeKalb, Illinois and Phoenix, Arizona.
“When the time came to choose our newest headquarters in central Florida, there were key factors that could only be found in Pasco County, economic growth and development. Both of which are in abundant supply,” shared Collin Cole, CEO/Owner, CoVar Transportation. “We are honored to be a part of Pasco County’s evergrowing landscape and grateful to Pasco EDC for their support in the expansion of CoVar and look forward to continued partnership. CoVar’s new headquarters gives us the space to hire up to 45 people here locally as we continue to grow into the future.”
The company expanded in The Edison Suncoast, a speculative “Class A Office” development located at the SR 54 and Suncoast Parkway interchange. The Penny for Pasco backed project is serving Pasco County’s rapidly growing professional services and technology sectors. Three businesses now occupy over 35,000 square feet of The Edison Suncoast with additional space available to meet growing demand.
“It’s great to see CoVar Transportation growing here in Pasco County,” said Pasco County Commissioner Yeager. “We’re committed to supporting companies as they grow and look forward to their continued success as they contribute to our community’s prosperity.”
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano Sponsors “Meals on Wheels of Pasco” in September
During the month of September, the Meals on Wheels of Pasco program to feed the elderly and homebound will be the featured charitable giving organization at the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office. Meals on Wheels of Pasco has spent the past fifty years delivering meals to those in need as well as operating as a foodbank for smaller food pantries to receive food from.
“As our community and country face uncertain times, access to nutritious food, and those with food insecurities are at an all-time high,” remarks Beth Aker, CEO of Meals on Wheels of Pasco. “Your donation will change the lives of family, neighbors, and friends. Thank you for being a part of the Meals on Wheels mission.”
“All proceeds from this fundraising effort will go towards reducing food insecurity in Pasco County, especially among seniors and other vulnerable people,” comments Tax Collector Mike Fasano. “The health and wellness of the elderly in our community has always been a big
priority of this office. I ask that anyone who visits any of our offices or transacts business online with us consider donating to Meals on Wheels of Pasco.”
For those who would like to give online, the tax collector’s office’s charitable giving arm Pasco TC Gives has a webpage through which donations for Meals on Wheels of Pasco (Charity of the Month) can be made: https:// www.govhub.com/fl-pasco/tc-gives/donate Donations may also be mailed to: Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, P.O. Box 276, Dade City FL 33526-0276.
For more information about the charitable giving programs and other services at the Pasco Tax Collector’s Office please visit www.pascotaxes.com or call Greg Giordano, Assistant Tax Collector/ Communications & Special Projects at 727-847-8179. For more information regarding Meals on Wheels of Pasco please visit https:// www.mealsonwheelspasco.org or contact Beth Aker, Executive Director at 813-782-7859
SMARTstart and AmSkills to Host First-Ever Pasco Rapid Prototyping Bootcamp
The Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) entrepreneurship program, SMARTstart, has partnered with AmSkills to host a Pasco Rapid Prototyping Bootcamp. The fiveday bootcamp will take place from September 23-27, 2024, and is designed for entrepreneurs who have a business idea they want to bring to life. Throughout the five days, attendees will be taught how to use laser cutters and engravers, additive manufacturing equipment (3D printing), CNC machining, and learn about patenting and go-to-market strategies. After completion of the bootcamp, participants will receive a “LabPass” which will allow them access to labs and workshops where they will be able to utilize the manufacturing equipment to create their product.
“We are so thrilled to bring this opportunity to inventors and creators in Pasco County to learn how to utilize manufacturing equipment with our partners at AmSkills,” shared Bill Cronin, President/CEO, Pasco EDC. “Sometimes the main roadblock a person faces in opening a business is the first step and this program will give them not only business perspective, but a real tangible product that can help them launch and grow.”
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. The newest SMARTstart incubator location is co-located at AmSkills Innovation Center and features dedicated desks, coworking space, a co- working lounge, and more. This bootcamp provides AmSkills and SMARTstart the opportunity to further collaborate and give entrepreneurs access to the state-of-art manufacturing equipment in the rest of the facility.
“Supporting our local entrepreneurs and innovators is key to fostering a vibrant and thriving community,” said Pasco County
Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. “This collaboration between SMARTstart and AmSkills represents a significant step forward in expanding Pasco County’s role in high-tech manufacturing and creating new opportunities for growth and success.”
“We are very excited to partner with SMARTstart Pasco to offer our first Rapid Prototyping Bootcamp that will expose entrepreneurs to the latest technologies in prototyping to bring product ideas to fruition. This bootcamp will help these and future entrepreneurs address technical challenges by developing solutions that will help expand Pasco County’s high tech manufacturing footprint,” shared Tyler Mudano, Project Manager, AmSkills.
Ryan Neil is leading the bootcamp and is also participating as a fellow entrepreneur with an invention he is looking to create. Neil studied Architecture Design at St. Petersburg College and received a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Brighton in the United Kingdom and is currently the Co- Founder/ CEO of Collective Form, a comprehensive urban planning and collaboration platform.
“Air quality affects us all, leading to respiratory issues and reduced productivity. And while the Air Quality Index is useful, it lacks granularity,” stated Ryan Neil, Co-Founder/CEO, Collective Form. “At the Pasco Rapid Prototyping Bootcamp, I’m excited to develop my skills alongside participants to build and test a prototype for a personal air sensor, driving innovation in air quality monitoring.”
The cost of the bootcamp is $545 per participant and lunch is included. The bootcamp will take place at AmSkills Innovation Center, located at 4606 Darlington Road, Holiday FL 34690. To learn more about the bootcamp and to register, please visit www.pascoedc. com/events/details/pasco-rapid-prototyping- bootcamp
Technology Company Xgenex Opens Location in Pasco County
Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) is thrilled to welcome Xgenex® to Pasco County, Florida. Xgenex®, a leading technology company committed to combating bacterial contamination in the food industry, has located to a new 3,655 square foot facility at The Edison Suncoast. With this investment, Xgenex® is further solidifying its position as an innovator in food safety.
“Pasco County is the perfect location for Xgenex® with active support from Pasco EDC and world-class infrastructure to support our multi-million-dollar state-of-the-art Xymethius® Artificial Intelligence Operations Center in Lutz,” shared Jim Byron, CEO/Owner, Xgenex®. “Proximity to all the cultural diversity and resources of Tampa combined with Tampa International Airport support our business needs while allowing Xgenex® to attract local employees as we expand utilization, develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) resources, and advance additional technologies.”
Xgenex® specializes in using safe, FDA and USDA-approved food ingredients to help food companies eliminate pathogens like salmonella, E. coli, and listeria, while maintaining organic, kosher, and halal certifications. Through its proprietary and patent-pending technologies, Xgenex® ensures that families, food producers, retailers, and restaurants can enjoy worryfree, safe, clean, green, culturally compliant, organic and conventional food experiences. In addition to its ongoing work in food safety, Xgenex® is also collaborating with local workforce partners through Pasco EDC’s workforceCONNECT program to create an internship
program. This program will provide valuable opportunities for local talent to gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge technology and innovation.
“Xgenex® now calls Pasco County home and the founder is working with our team and local workforce partners to create an internship program,” shared Bill Cronin, President/CEO, Pasco EDC. “Utilizing partnerships with local universities and workforce partners is crucial to ensure we continue to develop the talent pipeline our companies need to grow and thrive here.”
The new facility will not only serve as the operational hub for Xgenex® but will also house the Xymethius® Artificial Intelligence Operations Center, a cutting-edge facility dedicated to advancing AI-driven solutions for food safety. Xgenex®’s commitment to innovation is further demonstrated through its focus on research and development. The company is actively working on expanding its portfolio of patentpending technologies that address various challenges in the food industry. By leveraging the latest advancements in AI and machine learning, Xgenex® aims to develop new solutions that not only improve food safety but also enhance overall operational efficiency for its clients.
“It’s exciting to see a high-tech company like Xgenex® call Pasco County home,” said Pasco County Commissioner Yeager. “We look forward to supporting their continued success and growth in our community.”
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Coming together to create a healthy community
