Bit of cereal

Amazon to Build Distribution Center in Pasco

Information and image from “The Suncoast News”

According to The Suncoast News, Amazon will build a large facility at the intersection of State Road 52 and Bellamy Brothers Boulevard that will provide about 500 jobs.

Pasco Economic Development Center CEO Bill Cronin told county commissioners that it was “a great day for Pasco” as he ended his presentation with the news.

The facility will be 500,000 square feet, and Cronin said it won’t be the typical sorting facility but a robotics center where local students can work on the machines that will do the work.

“These are not the low-paying jobs,” Cronin said. “This is the good stuff.”

“What a big win for Pasco County and the entire region,” said Commissioner Mike Moore.

Their job is to bring more jobs to the county so fewer people drive to Hillsborough or Pinellas to work, and this is how to do it, he added.

“Can we have more ready sites?” he asked. “What can we do as a board to assure our residents that the jobs are going to be there?”

Commission chairman Kathryn Starkey pointed out that regional traffic is increasing because so many Pasco residents take to the highways to go to work in other counties.

Commissioners were thrilled at the news, but Starkey said that there would have to be housing for the people working at the new businesses opening in Pasco County.

“All those jobs will require housing, and some of it will have to be affordable,” Starkey said. “Or they’ll go to Hernando.”

Cronin cautioned that the announced jobs won’t start until the facility is completed, and that’s expected to be at the end of the year, with a groundbreaking in February.

Moore said that the county needs to be sure it keeps land for businesses, and that’s been an issue in a county where housing needs are growing faster.

“Make sure developers are continuing to commit to those entitlements for employment,” he said. “Jobs come first. If you trade them for housing, it throws an MPUD out the window. Make sure everyone fulfills those employment entitlements.”

Starkey said more effort needs to be made to fill in areas on U.S. 41 and U.S. 19, which have blighted buildings and empty spaces that can be used for offices and housing.

AROUND TOWN

5TH - FISH FRY & CRAFT SHOW! : Columbiettes 5737 & Lopez is hosting a CRAFT SHOW, 9am - 2pm, Lopez Hall - 7177 58th St. North,  Pinellas Park Raffle to benefit Charities we support. Lunch will be available for $8. Contact Wynette Or Joe 727-244-1859 or 727-244-1341

4TH THRU APRIL 19TH - ART OF THE GARDEN SHOW: Fine craft inspired by the natural beauty of gardens.  Art of the Garden is a juried exhibition of original art showcasing fine handcrafted work inspired by the natural beauty of gardens. Florida CraftArt is located at 501 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg and is open Monday through Saturday from10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information call (727) 821-7391or visit www.FloridaCraftArt.org 7TH - 2022-2023 SEASON REVEAL PARTY: Join us at Ocala Civic Theatre for our 20222023 season reveal party!  Doors will open and the party begins at 6 p.m. Enjoy a social hour of drinks and food, with some great live music and a cash bar, with the big reveal at 7:15. The event is free and all are welcome. Ocala Civic Theatre, located at 4337 East Silver Springs Boulevard (State Road 40). 352-236-2274. 12TH - JAZZ ON THE LAWN: Riverwalk Stem Academy at Just Elementary, 1315 W Spruce St., Tampa. Headliner BK Jackson. Also featuring Blake High School Jazz Band & Icon Prep Drum Line. 11am-5:30pm. $20. Live Jazz, vendors, food trucks. https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/just 15TH - HLAA MEETING: 12:30pm at St Andrew Presbyterian Church looped Fellowship Hall, 1239 Del Webb Blvd, Sun City Center, Hearing Loss Association of America will host a presentation by Don and Chris Guiley from A + Hearing Center, Inc of Sun City Center. Come see them in person – ALL are welcome. Social hour will follow. For more information, call Eloise at 414-807-4373 or email Eloise6376@gmail.com 17TH - ST PATRICK’S DAY EVENT: Wine, Craft Beers & Food. Join in for an Irish Themed Tasting Event featuring Wine, Craft Beers, Mead & Cider paired with Delicious Irish Foods. 6pm. Apollo Beach Society Wine Bar. 238 Harbor Village Lane, Apollo Beach. 813-331-3907. https://www.facebook.com/apollobeachSocietywinebar 19TH - ST. PATRICK’S DAY HOG LED RIDE!: Join the Irish Crew at Bert’s Barracuda H-D as we take a HOG led RIDE to O’Keefe’s in Largo. Kickstands up at 10:30.10525 49th St., Clearwater. 727-527-9672. https://www.bertsbarracuda.com/ 19TH - PAINT POUR PARTY: 3-5:00 pm. Creative Junk Therapy, 772 W. Lumsden Rd., Brandon. Love the paint pours? Learn some new techniques and go beyond the pour. We will be exploring new techniques and styles the experienced and beginners will love. $30 all supplies included. To ensure we have enough space and supplies purchase tickets to reserve your spot. (813) 324-9777. https://www.creativejunktherapy.org/ 22ND - JUKEBOX CHARLEY TOUR: Tampa Theatre and AEG Presents are proud to announce that Charley Crockett’s month-long coast-to-coast Jukebox Charley tour will make a stop on the Theatre’s historic stage at 8:00pm, March 22. $24.50-$49.50. 711 N Franklin St, Tampa, 33602. (813) 274-8981https://tampatheatre.org/ 27TH - MELANIE IN CONCERT: Doors open 5pm. Show starts 5:30. $50 advance/$60 at door. Melanie landed in the New York City music and radio scene in the late 1960’s. Her first single Beautiful People immediately became a turntable hit. Safety Harbor Art and Music Center, 706 2nd St N, Safety Harbor, (727) 725-4018. http://www.safetyharborartandmusiccenter.com/ SUBMIT AROUND TOWN EVENTS AND/OR EVENT FLYERS TO: Lifestyles After 50, P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583; or email to info@lifestylesafter50.com or fax to (813) 331-2634 by the 20th of the month prior to the event. (i.e. submit April events by March 20 2022).