The SMARTstart Pasco program in Dade City, Florida, mentors and resources local entrepreneurs, assisting over a thousand business owners. A prominent example is Tania Marrero Gonzalez, who used the program’s kitchen incubator and coaching to launch Vlania’s Tres Leches and Pasteleria, a Puerto‑Rican inspired bakery truck. Program leaders, including Dan Mitchell from Pasco EDC, highlight training, workspace, mentorship, and micro‑loans that help reduce startup barriers. The initiative offers scalable support, from retail to food trucks, and hosts 57 businesses in its incubator. Gonzalez emphasizes personal motivation and the program’s community role in accelerating businesses in the rapidly growing Pasco County market.
Pasco County’s SMARTstart Program Boosts New Business
