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Pasco EDC Business Award Nominations Now Open

April 1, 2025

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Nominations are now being accepted for Pasco County companies making an extraordinary economic impact on their community.

PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA (April 1, 2025) Nominations are now open for the 2025 Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) Annual Awards until close of business on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. This year, Pasco EDC will recognize the achievements of top companies in Pasco County for their economic excellence in company growth, workforce innovation, and international business involvement. All finalists are interviewed by a committee of volunteers and the winners will be announced at Pasco EDC’s 37th Annual Awards event on Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m at Saddlebrook Resort.

Nominees should be a "for profit" business to business company operating in Pasco County (municipalities or affiliates are excluded). Companies will be evaluated based on the timeframe of January 2024 to March 2025. Nominations can be submitted online, here.   

The 2025 Award categories open for nominations are as follows:

  1. Pasco Establishment Award - This award will recognize a business that has recently been established in Pasco County and is demonstrating substantial progress and/or the potential for a significant community impact.
  2. Economic Excellence Award - This award will recognize a Pasco County business that has made a commitment to improving the overall economic health and quality of life in Pasco County, creating a diverse workforce, and providing exceptional value to customers, all while demonstrating ingenuity, integrity, and leadership.
  3. International Achievement Award - This award will recognize a Pasco County business that has demonstrated outstanding achievements in international relations, global leadership, or export growth.
  4. Innovation in Workforce Development Award - This award recognizes a Pasco County company or employer that has made a significant impact on workforce development in Pasco County and demonstrates a commitment to building a strong talent pipeline.

Additional Award categories:

  1. SMARTstart Entrepreneur of the Year - This award will recognize an entrepreneur who has engaged in numerous SMARTstart programs. Through their experiences and education, they have turned their passion into a thriving business. Nominees will be scored based on company growth, SMARTstart involvement, and community impact as a leading start-up.
  2. Special Contribution (Used in special circumstances as determined by committee, non-profits considered) - This award recognizes a Pasco County business who has gone above and beyond their typical mission to solve an issue, create an opportunity, or provide extraordinary support in our community.

The Pasco EDC Annual Awards is regarded as the premier business event in Pasco County; attended by hundreds of business and community leaders throughout the Tampa Bay area.

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About Pasco Economic Development Council
The Pasco Economic Development Council is committed to developing Florida's most competitive climate for business growth by providing businesses, that seek to start, move, or grow in the North Tampa Bay area, a comprehensive suite of programs that can help them to reach their full economic potential.  Since 1987, Pasco EDC has fostered a strong partnership funded by corporate and public investors focused on the economic vitality of Pasco County.  Discover more at www.pascoedc.com.