Riverview/ Apollo Beach
6
July 2022
Volume 20, Issue 7
See Ad on Page 24
Ph: 813-657-2418
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
RUSKIN MOTEL BECOMES AFFORDABLE HOUSING LAS VILLAS APARTMENTS
Staff Report
COCA-COLA BEVERAGES FLORIDA
BREAKS GROUND ON NEW DISTRIBUTION CENTER AT U.S. 301 & CAUSEWAY BLVD.
By Marie Gilmore
Monsignor Robert F. Morris, vicar general of the Diocese of St. Petersburg and president of the Catholic Charities Board of Trustees, and Father john E. McEvoy, V.F., pastor of St. Anne Catholic Church of Ruskin, bless the new Las Villas Apartments affordable housing complex in Ruskin.
ing more than $54 million into the community in 2021, directly impacting more than 24,300 households. The programs and services funded by the county focus on creating new affordable housing opportunities, training for residents to further their careers in order to afford homeownership and infrastructure improvements that enhance the communities around them. Since 1945, Catholic Charities has provided social services aimed at supporting and preserving families and promoting self-sufficiency and social justice. Under the auspices of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Catholic Charities is a nonprofit leader in serving the poor and vulnerable within Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. For more information on Hillsborough County affordable housing and to find resources to help with financial assistance for home repairs, down payments, rental and housing needs, as well as information on other affordable housing needs, such as fair housing and federal reporting notices, visit hcflgov.net/affordablehousing.
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
Last week, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, the largest minority-owned business in the state, broke ground on its state-of-theart, 800,000 sq. ft. complex. The new Coca-Cola Tampa Sales and Distribution Center will be located on 156 acres located at the corner of U.S. Highway 301 and Causeway Boulevard. The complex is part of a $250 million investment for a fully automated fulfillment center and corporate offices. Coke Florida founder, chairman and CEO Troy Taylor was proud of his team’s efforts over the last few years and was joined at the groundbreaking by county, state and business partner reps along with elected officials and members of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Guests invited to participate also included Mayor Jane Castor (City of Tampa), Craig Richard (president of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council) and other local, regional and state partners. Castor was proud to be a part of the groundbreaking, saying, “This is a momentous occasion, and Troy Taylor has amassed an incredible team.” Tampa Bay Buccaneers COO Brian Ford said that the Bucs have never served any other beverage but Coca-Cola since 1976. “Today, it’s my honor to present a game ball to Troy and his team,” Ford said while pledging the Bucs’ continued partnership. “Every time we get involved in something charitable in the community, we know we can count on Troy and Coca-Cola to partici-
pate, and that partnership means a lot.” Taylor, a Marshall University graduate and father of two, credits his success to his associates, saying, “I have some really, really good people around me that are working toward the same goal. They understand the vision, and they work side by side.” Founded in 2015, Coke Florida is the third-largest privately held and sixth-largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. The company operates in an exclusive Florida territory that covers 47 counties and serves over 21 million consumers. The Tampa area is home to Coke Florida’s headquarters and one of four of its manufacturing operations. The company employs over 4,600 associates and was recently named a U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. The company is also one of the largest blackowned businesses in the United States and the largest minority-owned business in Florida. To learn more, visit www.cocacolaflorida.com.
IN THIS ISSUE: FOOD & FIRE SAFETY..........................PG 3 ST. JOSEPH’S SCHOLARSHIPS........PG 4 EYE ON BUSINESS ...................PGS 25-26 FEEDING TAMPA BAY........................PG 31
Postal Customer
ECRWSS EDDM
PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT #2397
On June 22, Hillsborough County and Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg officials dedicated a former rundown motel on U.S. Highway 41 that has been renovated and transformed into Las Villas Apartments, an affordable housing complex. With rent and home prices rapidly rising across Florida and the country, governments, nonprofits and housing advocates are finding creative solutions. The $2 million project to create Las Villas Apartments in Ruskin is the latest nontraditional effort to provide affordable housing. Located at 1308 N. U.S. Hwy. 41 in Ruskin, the blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Las Villas Apartments featured representatives from Hillsborough County and Catholic Charities. The 13 units were extensively renovated to create 13 efficiency apartments that are being rented to low-income residents at below-market rates. The former motel was purchased with $1.5 million in funding from Hillsborough County and $500,000 from Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg. Hillsborough County has prioritized addressing affordable housing issues, invest-
Coca-Cola Beverages Florida breaks ground on a new 800,000 sq. ft. facility located on the corner of U.S. Highway 301 and Causeway Boulevard.
Hunter’s Brunch Shack on U.S. Hwy 301 had a celebrity visit from Carole and Howard Baskin from Big Cat Rescue who stopped in for breakfast! Vvisit www.huntersbrunchshack.com
7
31 22 OO2022
