Zephyrhills Economic Development

Economic Development
Charting a New Course.

To achieve meaningful economic development the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce administers the Zephyrhills Economic Development Coalition (ZEDC) a strategic partnership of the Chamber of Commerce, the City of Zephyrhills, Main Street Zephyrhills and Pasco Economic Development Council.

ZEDC seeks to align strategies and streamline resources of local and county-wide partners in economic development. The City of Zephyrhills supports this effort with grants to the chamber which provides partner expertise, knowledge, professional staff and volunteer resources to carry out programs specific to the mission of the ZEDC.

While the city's very location -- in the middle of an impressive framework of highways, rail lines, a major sea port and several airports -- makes it a desirable area to grow a business, the city also has passed ordinances meant to entice new businesses and industries with attractive incentives. The city boasts highly competitive prices for real property, previously-approved development parks and public facilities that meet the needs of the business community.

By creating an economic development fund, the city is in position to pay all or part of a business' impact fees; pay the impact fees and defer reimbursement for a maximum of three years, as well as paying the carrying charges associated with new construction. The city council may also issue revenue bonds to finance projects, assign city staff to work with business leaders on their projects and reimburse companies for job training.

Zephyrhills is Open for Business and the Chamber of Commerce invites businesses seeking to relocate, expand, or promote their business to contact the Chamber of Commerce Business & Visitors Concierge desk.

Zephyrhills Business
Open for Business

"Clearly Zephyrhills" Market Reports Published by the Zephyrhills Economic Development Coalition;

This year's Economic Summit was held on October 19th at the City of Zephyhills in the Council Chambers. Our theme this year was Exploring Zephyrhills. If you were unable to attend or have an interest in the presentations, please see the below links:

Economic Development Strategy

Zephyrhills is actively engaged in a number of initiatives that encompass a two-fold economic development strategy. The first part of that vision includes a strong manufacturing/airport corridor where high paying jobs are created. The second part of the vision is a strong vibrant downtown where "community" can be enjoyed and the uniqueness of Zephyrhills can be showcased to locals and tourists alike. Working toward these goals are the Zephyrhills Economic Development Coalition (ZEDC), the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport (ZMA), and Main Street Zephyrhills.

Discover Zephyrhills

"Discover Zephyrhills" contains useful facts and information on the greater Zephyrhills area including demographics, business climate, location transportation, major businesses, workforce and education, economic incentives and business development resources. Download the publication by clicking on the "Discover Zephyrhills" link provided below.

Working toward these goals . . .

The Zephyrhills Economic Development Coalition is a strategic partnership formed by the Chamber of Commerce, the City of Zephyrhills, Pasco Economic Development Council and Main Street Zephyrhills, Inc. The ZEDC Steering Committee meets monthly to discuss strategies for existing business retention and expansion, attraction of new business, and to identify and further economic development initiatives in education, infrastructure, transportation and other for the greater Zephyrhills area.

Zephyrhills Economic Development Coalition
813-782-1913

The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is an organization dedicated to creating a vibrant, revitalized central core district in Zephyrhills. The CRA was established in the early 1990's primarily for the purpose of improving 5th Avenue. The CRA set aside tax dollars for a specific purpose - improvement of downtown and surrounding City core districts. The CRA has set priorities about how these dedicated funds should be spent and has adopted programs to help fulfill their mission which include:
Residential Paint Grant Program: The Zephyrhills CRA will provide matching funds up to $500 for paint to improve the facade/exterior of the home.  Funds shall be allocated on a first come first serve basis.  Only one grant shall be awarded per residential structure.
Matching Facade Rehabilitation Grant Program: The primary objective of the Matching Facade Rehabilitation Grant is to encourage rehabilitation and preservation of commercial buildings by offering a financial incentive of up to $2,500 in matching funds and limited technical assistance for facade rehabilitation.  It is hoped that in addition to improving the building facades, the program will provide an incentive for complete rehabilitation of the structures. 
Residential Ownership Incentive
Small Business Development Guide: This guide is intended to help property owners, existing or new businesses to navigate the permitting and licensing process and to answer many common questions.  It will provide an overview of the process and the most frequently-asked questions.
CRA Sign Standards:  Encourage excellence in signage, both as a communication tool and as an art form, enhance the economic value of the built environment by diminishing visual clutter which is harmful to property values and business opportunities.  Ensure signs reinforce the existing and envisioned character and compliment the architectural design of the district.  Encourage creative and unique sign designs while preventing cluttered and unattractive streetscapes.

Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency
813-780-0000 ext. 3535

http://www.ci.zephyrhills.fl.us/150/Community-Redevelopment-Agency

Main Street Zephyrhills is an organization made up of business people, educators, government officials and private citizens dedicated to providing economic vitality through historic preservation, pride in the quality of life and a strong sense of community. Main Street Zephyrhills works to revitalize the downtown area through fund-raising events and also encourages people to shop downtown.

Main Street Zephyrhills 
813-780-1414

www.mainstreetzephyrhills.org

Zephyrhills Municipal Airport serves the area with full facilities for commercial and private pilots, alike. Among its features are a passenger terminal, 24-hour fuel, more than 5,000 feet of runways, aircraft rentals, flight instruction, aircraft repairs and hangar rentals.

Zephyrhills Municipal Airport
39450 South Ave.
813-780-0030

Area Map
www.aopa.org/airports/KZPH

Workforce Training

Companies interested in job training may consider several institutions in the area. Pasco-Hernando State College has two locations in Pasco County, including one in nearby Dade City and another planned to open in Wesley Chapel, both just 20 minutes from Zephyrhills; there also is a PHCC campus in Brooksville, just north in Hernando County. Additionally, the East Pasco office of Pasco-Hernando Workforce Board is located in the heart of Zephyrhills on Gall Blvd.

Saint Leo University, a private institution with a picturesque campus is located in San Antonio about 20 minutes from Zephyrhills. The University opened the Donald R. Tapia School of Business in 2011, a modern and state-of-the-art 47,000 square foot building on campus. The School of Business offers a complete menu of business concentrations with on campus as well as on-line Bachelor's and MBA programs. Graduate certificate programs are also offered in accounting, health care management, marketing and information security. The sprawling University of South Florida campus is a 30-minute drive south of Zephyrhills, while the University of Tampa is within an hour from town.

City leaders also work with Pasco County officials on deals that will be advantageous to the area, and the businesses looking to move here.

Pasco EDC & Experience Florida's Sports Coast Team Up!
For a Join Economic Celebration (press release)

County Incentives

Businesses like Pasco County's strong employment incentive programs.  County government has $45 million available to help companies locate in Pasco County.  These funds can be used for training, water and sewer extensions, road improvements, or even direct cash payments for companies creating employment opportunities.

For example, a company creating 100 jobs with an average salary of $40,000 will qualify for an incentive of $2,000 per job - a total of $200,000.  This is paid in four annual payments averaging $50,000.

The State of Florida has similar incentives, including training, road improvements, and state tax credits.  Pasco EDC can help companies apply for these funds.

pascoedc.com

Zephyrhills Business Climate

Drive around historic downtown Zephyrhills on any day, and you quickly understand the town's idyllic appeal. Friends young and old chat on sidewalks outside the town's quaint, locally-owned shops and restaurants. On weekends, community events lure residents to the downtown area for a plethora of family-friendly events.

Turn north on Gall Boulevard-U.S. 301, which bisects Zephyrhills, and you roll past dozens of thriving local businesses. You pass the sprawling grounds of Florida Medical Clinic, as well as the scenic campus housing Advent Health Zephyrhills. Within minutes, both sides of the road are highlighted by modern shopping plazas with a healthy mix of national chain retailers and bustling local businesses.

The healthcare industry thrives in Zephyrhills, employing doctors and medical staff of all specialties and offering state-of-the-art medical and health services. Advent Health Zephyrhills, Florida Medical Clinic and Advent Health Dade City provide vital medical services to the region while a number of smaller specialized medical and healthcare services attract patients both locally, regionally and from out of state to the area for quality care.

A map of the area shows that Zephyrhills is framed by major transportation arteries. To the west and south are Interstate 75, Interstate 275, U.S. 301 and Interstate 4. The CSX Railroad runs just east of town, while the Port of Tampa, Florida's largest port, is about 45 minutes southwest.

Zephyrhills' location in east Pasco puts it within easy driving distance of major cities, international airports and major theme park - and just over an hour from the white, sandy beaches and pristine waters that have lured tourists to Florida for decades.

Moreover, Zephyrhills' existing industrial corridor and strategic location make the small city a potentially major player in the Tampa Bay region's pursuit of new, expanding and relocating industries.

Those businesses may consider Zephyrhills' potential by the local and international businesses that have thrived here.

Nestle Waters North America, which produces the popular Zephyrhills Water has thrived since opening a plant in Zephyrhills; Goin' Postal, a low-cost shipping and postal store that started with a single storefront in Zephyrhills in 2002, now has more than 300 locations around the country;  transports directly to the Port of Tampa via CSX railway from its processing plant located just 15 minutes south of the city on US Hwy 39.