Avalon Park Sun Wesley Chapel June 2023

Fourth of July Festivities in Avalon Park Include 5K, Bike Parade, Apple Pie Bake-Off and Fireworks

Kick off your summer in style and show your patriotism Tuesday, July 4th at the Avalon Park Wesley Chapel’s Fourth of July Festival! Enjoy a host of thrilling attractions, from a wet/dry bounce park and a bike parade to special performances and an apple pie bake-off, from 5-9 pm. Round out your night with an amazing fireworks show at 9 pm!

Do you fancy yourself as the creator of the most scrumptious apple pie? Then join the Apple Pie Bakeoff. Individuals are invited to enter a homemade apple pie by registering online before July 3rd. The top three submissions will be awarded cash prizes and announced at the performance stage during Avalon Park’s 4th of July festival at 8 pm.

Join us at the performance stage to start the patriotic bike parade around River Glen Blvd! Deck out your bikes, strollers, or wagons in red, white, and blue and be at the starting point by 5:30 pm. At the end, prizes will be distributed to those with the most creative and best group entries. All are invited to be a part of this amazing community event! There is no cost to register, but participants are encouraged to do so before July 3rd online

Stay around, as festivities will continue throughout the evening. The night will be filled with community performances, a wet/dry bounce park, food trucks, vendors, and music. Finishing off an exciting day, the festivities will be concluded with a magnificent fireworks display at 9:00 p.m.

The summer festivities in Avalon Park are endless! On July 15th from 7 pm to 9 pm, Coffee Speaks N’ Tea Talks will host Jazz Under the Starz, where friends and families can enjoy a night of live jazz, live painting, art, food trucks, and all the vibes! Throughout the summer, come out for Food Truck Nights at the Avalon Park Amenity Center, featuring a variety of delicious cuisine and dessert treats from local food trucks. You can catch the next Food Truck Night at Avalon Park and skip your time waiting in line by checking the upcoming menus online.

To me, the writing was on the wall, and I foresaw a crash on the housing market long before some of the famous economists had the same idea.

Shortly after that prediction, the crash on the housing market did happen in 2007-08 and following. The housing bubble burst triggered many to reach out, including a Swiss reporter, who had discovered my 2005 article and question why I made such a prediction.

With more than 30 years of experience as a real estate entrepreneur in central Florida and around the globe, I believe that I’ve developed a sense for the markets. And as of late, the current state of the housing market, interest rates and economy have people asking, “Will there be another crash like in 2007? Does it not feel like 2006? Will there be a recession? Will there be hyperinflation? Etc.”

I do not know, and nobody really can know for sure. However, I am absolutely convinced that real estate prices in central Florida will continue to increase substantially over the next 25 years, well past 2046! That means that if my sense is correct, and you are 30 years old today and own a home with a current value of $400,000, the value of that home when you turn 55 will be well over $1 Million. However, this will not likely happen in a straight line over the next 25 years and at times, your home may have a lower value in the future than today.

I continue to be very optimistic for central Florida in the long run. As a matter of fact, my group of companies has decided to concentrate investing in real estate in central Florida. Selling our real estate investments in Australia, Canada, China and Indonesia, we have shifted a significant portion of our focus to the over 10,000 acres of land we

speculation reasons only. This is not the case today. As a matter of fact, there is presently a shortage of homes all over the United States. There are other forces working, this time I do not think Florida’s economy and state of the housing market will cause a crash, but if tomorrow a large bank in Europe or Asia (and there are several larger than Lehman Brothers with thin capital) fails, and government, wherever it is, does not come to aid in time, then all bets could be off, as we saw in 2008-09.

Florida historically and continues to be a fertile place for speculation. If it is too good to be true, we usually are in. So, I urge you to please not speculate with your home, the place you raise your family. It is not primarily an investment, it is a capital good, which you need to be able to afford in good and challenging times. Do not finance short-term, because of lower interest rates and amortization. These loans are not made for people who cannot afford long-term rates and other conditions.

While ownership of a home is part of the American Dream, many times renting your home or apartment is financially a better choice, particularly in a volatile market environment. For instance, if you are at retirement age, it may be wiser not to buy a residence, you want to stay flexible. Whether you need to quickly transition to a residential solution with less upkeep and more care like an independent living community or assisted living community or want the flexibility to travel, you do not want to be forced to sell your home at the wrong time in the market, because of another pressing need.

Home prices will go up over the next 25 years, I am convinced, but they can as well go down at times. So, my caution from 2005, Homebuyer Beware, remains true, but for different reasons. Do not speculate with your home, purchase within your means and if you cannot, then rent!

Happy 4th of July from My Family to Yours!

Update from Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman

Wesley Chapel. This is a beautiful facility and they opened by giving away a new motorcycle during an all-day celebration with music, food and more. I was honored to speak during the ribbon cutting ceremony and welcome their team to Pasco.

I hope you had a wonderful month of May and are getting ready for a great summer with your family! As always, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to provide these updates to you from around Pasco County.

May had many somber and emotional events. We honored a Pasco Firefighter, Jason Tucker, who passed away and received a funeral with full honors. Our prayers are with Firefighter Tucker’s family and all who knew and worked with him.

On May 4th, I was honored to read a resolution from the Pasco County Commission for the National Day of Prayer. It was a beautiful ceremony brought together by pastors representing many congregations from throughout east Pasco County.

Experience Florida’s Sports Coast, Pasco County’s tourism arm, held a great awards dinner on May 12th. State Representative Randy Maggard, whose district includes Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, received the Chairman’s Choice Award from Commissioner Jack Mariano for his support to increase tourism efforts in Pasco. Former Bucs player and soon-to-be Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronde Barber gave a great keynote speech about persevering, even when you are not the biggest or strongest person in the room or on the field.

Thank you again for taking the time to read these updates. Remember, you can always catch up on the latest happenings on the Pasco County website at MyPasco.net

On May 6th, I had the honor of participating in a community kickoff for Army Master Sergeant Christopher Blauvelt. A non-profit organization, Homes for Our Troops, held the event at Pinecrest Academy near Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Master Sergeant Blauvelt is receiving a custombuilt mortgage free home in the Wesley Chapel area. During his time in service, he served in three branches of our military: Coast Guard, Marines, and Army. There is a photo from the event with this column and you can learn more about him and the Homes For Our Troops project at https://www. hfotusa.org/building-homes/veterans/blauvelt/ This past month also welcomed the grand opening celebration of a new Harley Davidson dealer in

About: Commissioner Seth Weightman represents District 2 on the Pasco County Commission. He lives in San Antonio with his wife and two children.

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel Progress Pictures

For more information on leasing in Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, email: Marketing@AvalonParkGroup.com.

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Penny for Pasco-Supported Speculative Project, 54 Crossings, to Host Ribbon Cutting in Pasco County, FL

In fall of 2019, the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners approved incentives totaling $2.94 million to help construct 54 Crossings. The county will loan $1.5 million to the developer from its Pasco Accelerated Development Sites and Pasco Occupant Ready Structures programs from Penny for Pasco funds. In addition to the loan, the county agreed to rebate $1.435 million in property taxes.

What: Rizzetta Real Estate will unveil Building 1 of the highly anticipated 54 Crossings Project.

When: Wednesday, May 24, 2023; 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Rizzetta Real Estate is hosting a ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening of the highly anticipated 54 Crossings project. They have invested $15 million into the first 60,000 square foot Class A Office Space building and will be investing another $15 million into the second building. The project is in an area experiencing massive growth off State Road 54 near the Suncoast Parkway in Pasco County.

Their first major tenant, Universal Background Screening, has signed a lease to occupy 13,500 square feet to run its Florida business operations. Universal Background Screening is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is expanding its Pasco location to add 32 new jobs, retain 80, and invest nearly $1,000,000.

Rizzetta Real Estate has also announced that Wells Fargo Financial Advisors has signed a long-term lease to occupy 5,000 square feet on the first floor of the South building, and they are currently negotiating full occupancy for the second floor with a well-known law firm.

Even with unprecedented demand, building speculative space is a risky business considering the overwhelming costs of developing infrastructure. Early in the current development cycle, the Penny for Pasco, a Pasco taxpayer approved $0.01 sales tax increase, helped fill capital gaps with loans to developers willing to build speculative.

9:30 a.m. - Guest Speakers and Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting and Photos

10:00 a.m. – Office Tours (media will have access to first facility tour)

Where: 17907 Aprile Drive, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638

Who: Bill Rizzetta, President & CEO, Rizzetta Real Estate,

Todd Pillars, representing Gary Bradford, Pasco County Commissioner District 4

Bill Cronin, President & CEO, Pasco Economic Development Council

David Engel, Director, Pasco County Office of Economic Growth

Why: This project will directly and/or indirectly create approximately 400 new jobs, provide total salaries to direct and indirect workers in the amount of $17.7 million, and contribute an average of $26.5 million to the gross county product.

Pasco EDC Team Member, Turner Arbour, Recognized as Workforce Development Professional of the Year

Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) is excited to announce Turner Arbour, Senior Economic Development Manager at the Pasco EDC was recently recognized as “Workforce Development Professional of the Year” by the Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC).

Arbour began working with Pasco EDC as an intern in 2018. After his internship was completed, he was hired for the new Workforce Development Manager role where he worked to create the workforceconnectpasco.com platform and built the program. WorkforceCONNECT allows multiple access points for employers and job seekers to find information on education and training partners, relevant data, and job openings. In 2020, the platform was awarded a bronze designation from the International Economic Development Council for a specialized website. Over the past four years, Arbour has worked closely with local workforce training and education partners to assess the business community’s needs and determine opportunities for the best ways to connect them.

“I am humbled and grateful to be named the Workforce Development Professional of the Year. This recognition reflects the dedication of the Pasco EDC and the transformative impact we are having by supporting our local employers, workers, and training partners,” stated Turner Arbour, Senior Economic Development Manager, Pasco EDC. “I’m thankful for the support of my colleagues and the individuals I’ve had the privilege to serve. Together, we’ll continue to empower

and shape a brighter future for Pasco’s workforce.”

Arbour has worked with Pasco EDC for four-and-a-half years and was promoted to Senior Economic Development Manager last year. In his current role he oversees the workforceCONNECT, Business, Retention and Expansion (BRE), and International programs.

“This award recognizes what we already know about Turner Arbour,” shared Bill Cronin, President/CEO, Pasco EDC. “Turner is a rising star in economic and workforce development. To be recognized by his fellow peers from around the state speaks volumes of his impact and reputation. Pasco County is clearly in a better place because of Turner.”

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Global Tampa Bay conducts successful foreign direct investment mission to the United Kingdom

the strengths the Tampa Bay region offers FDI projects. The trip ended with a luncheon hosted by Rooster, the marketing firm that represents Visit St. Pete Clearwater and Visit Florida in the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia. Rooster shared the upcoming tourism trends they predict for Tampa Bay.

“Overall, the FDI mission to London was considered an overwhelming success based on the feedback we’ve received from our delegates,” said Dr. Cynthia Johnson, Director, Pinellas County Economic Development. “The contacts we made and the relationships that were developed have the potential to serve the Tampa Bay region well as we continue to attract companies, build relationships, and market the Tampa Bay region as a global business destination.”

Leaders from Global Tampa Bay, a regional alliance to market the Tampa Bay region globally as a top business destination, along with a local delegation, recently traveled to London, United Kingdom to conduct foreign direct investment (FDI) meetings, strengthen ties with UK partners, and celebrate the new direct route from Tampa International Airport to London Heathrow by Virgin Atlantic. Global Tampa Bay is a regional collaboration between Pinellas County Economic Development the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, and the Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC).

“This new route is expected to have a $154 million economic impact to the Tampa Bay region,” said Bill Cronin, President and CEO, Pasco Economic Development Council. “It’s important we raise awareness about the route providing an ease of connectivity between both destinations and also promote it amongst the Tampa Bay and UK business communities so we can continue to create more FDI activity and increase the economic impact.”

Global Tampa Bay brought a delegation of 30 business leaders, stakeholders, and elected officials, including Pinellas County Commission Chair Janet Long, Pasco County Commission Chair Jack Mariano, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Myers, City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, City of St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, and City of Clearwater Mayor Brian Aungst, Sr. on this mission to learn more about the United Kingdom as a potential market and to hear about business opportunities for the Tampa Bay region.

The delegates were first provided with an economic overview of the UK with JPMorgan Chase. Then they attended meetings with Enterprise Florida’s International Director, the British American Business (BAB) Organization hosted by Ogletree Deakins, and the London Tech Bridges, a collaboration between the U.S. Navy and the British Royal Navy to foster innovation between the two countries.

The group also participated in a case study discussion with site selection consultants from KPMG to evaluate

While the delegation met with business representatives and officials, leaders from Pinellas County Economic Development, Tampa Bay EDC, and Pasco EDC met with eight London-based companies that have expressed interest in expanding to the United States.

“Collectively, our economic development teams made an excellent case for the Tampa Bay region as the best landing place for these FDI projects,” said Craig Richard, president and CEO, Tampa Bay Economic Development Council. “We’ll continue to pursue these leads over the next few months as the opportunities continue to develop.”

The Tampa Bay area has seen an uptick in FDI projects over the last couple of years, particularly from UK companies in the Financial and Professional Services and Information Technology sectors. Last year, sales and marketing firm Clarify established its U.S. operations in Tampa, and this year, Strive Sales, a talent hiring firm focused in the software sales industry, opened its first international office in Tampa, while Fusion5, a technology brand, originally from the United Kingdom, is expanding its reach by setting up an assembly line in Pasco County.

Global Tampa Bay also joined the British American Business (BAB) Organization in an effort to pave the way for future collaboration between Tampa Bay and UK partners and companies. The new partnership will serve to better promote both FDI into the Tampa Bay region and to encourage trade between British and Tampa Bay businesses.

About Global Tampa Bay

Global Tampa Bay is a regional collaboration between the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, Pinellas County Economic Development, and the Pasco Economic Development Council to increase international business opportunities for companies within the region and to market the region globally as a top business destination. At Global Tampa Bay, we proudly work together with our regional economic partners such as the Tampa International Airport and Port Tampa Bay as well as various Federal, State and local entities to deliver an integrated international strategy. To learn more, visit globaltampabay.com.