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Hillsborough’s New Policy Has Nonprofits Sweating

Look, no one gets into nonprofit work for the glamor. The hours are long, the pay’s modest, and the paperwork… is eternal. But the impact? Huge.

Now, thanks to a policy shift by Hillsborough County, a lot of that impact is on the chopping block.

The County’s decided to overhaul how it funds local nonprofits, moving from dependable annual support to a new “competitive” application process. The goal? More strategic alignment. The result? Dozens of nonprofits that have served our community for years might lose funding entirely.

And we’re not talking about fringe organizations here. We’re talking about:

• The Women’s Resource Center, supporting families in crisis

• Meals on Wheels, feeding seniors who live alone

• The Outreach Clinic, providing healthcare to folks who fall through the cracks

• Family Promise, keeping families from becoming homeless

Many of these nonprofits operate right here in Brandon, and the people who work there? They're your neighbors, your friends, your fellow PTA moms, and Little League coaches. They’re the ones who show up when no one else does.

Maybe you’ve never called on one of these services, but odds are someone you know has. These are the quiet safety nets that hold our community together, and they don’t stay running on fumes.

So while the county recalibrates its strategy, it’s worth asking: who’s looking out for the people doing the looking out?

If you’ve got time, money, or influence, now’s a great time to use it.

Because Brandon doesn’t just grow. It gives.

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🐝 WHAT’S BUZZING AROUND TOWN 🐝

🔥 Out With the Old

Imagine working a 24-hour shift saving lives… from inside a trailer. That’s been reality for some Hillsborough County firefighters, but not for much longer.

The county is replacing three fire stations—in Palm River, Thonotosassa, and Westchase, which are pushing 60 years old. We're talking outdated buildings, cramped quarters, and setups that haven’t seen an upgrade since rotary phones were a thing.

The $39 million overhaul will bring hurricane-ready, modern facilities with proper crew quarters, updated gear, and actual space to train. Translation: they’ll finally have the tools and comfort to match the heroics.

Brandon may not be on this round, but with the area growing fast, fire station upgrades could be headed our way soon. Better stations = faster response times = safer neighborhoods.

So cheers to the crews who’ve made it work, and here’s hoping Brandon’s next in line.

THE BEES KNEES

Not really sure what it means, but we’re sure you’ll find it here.

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A Final Note

The Brandon Buzz, more than news, it’s a lifestyle.

Until next time,

Buzzing Local