E. REYNOLDS STREET TO BE CLOSED
Beginning September 22, E. Reynolds St. (US 92) will be closed at Palmer St. for a major sewer repair. The closure will have a significant impact on the eastbound traffic flow downtown. Westbound lanes, i.e. Baker St., will not be closed. The project will last until at least early January. Eastbound drivers should take the detour south on Alexander St. There is a secondary but slower detour at Wheeler St.
SCHMOOZAPALOOZA BROUGHT OUT A CROWD
On September 4, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., there was an abundance of schmoozing. The Plant City Chamber event at the Trinkle Center brought out 40 businesses and 300 people to meet owners and staff and sample food from Potbelly, Bubbakoo’s Burritos, and Andy’s Frozen Custard, among others.
HOPE LUTHERAN WELCOMES MOBILE FOOD PANTRY
On Thursday, September 18, Hope Lutheran Church, 2001 North Park Road, will host their mobile food pantry in the church parking lot. This pantry, in association with St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Lakeland, will begin distributing food to those in need beginning at 6:00 p.m. until the supplies are distributed. Anyone in need of grocery assistance is encouraged to join the church as they work to eliminate food insecurities in the community. Various goods are available from vegetables to meats to dairy and bakery goods. The pantry, “Moving Hope,” takes place at Hope Lutheran on the third Thursday of each month. No identification is required and the pantry is open to anyone in the Plant City community needing that extra hand. For additional information, contact the church office at 813-752-4622.
14-YEAR-OLD PLANT CITY ENTREPRENEUR WINS 2025 TRAX YOUNG INNOVATOR AWARD
At just 14 years old, entrepreneur Trenton James has turned a childhood passion for fishing into a thriving business with national reach. Founder of Yank, a custom fishing lure company, Trenton was awarded 1st Place and the 2025 Trax Young Innovator Award at the Kids Mean Business Kool-Aid & Shop event, held August 9 at Audrey’s Style Bar in Plant City. The annual event celebrates some of the area’s brightest young entrepreneurs, each presenting their business ideas to a panel of judges. Trenton’s pitch and professionalism stood out, earning him top honors and the title of Young Innovator.
As one of the only custom fishing lure businesses in his hometown of Plant City, Trenton has built a brand with the ability to ship to all 50 states. Each lure is handcrafted, designed, poured, and colored by Trenton himself—to deliver both performance and personality on the water. The brand name, Yank, captures the thrill of fishing’s defining moment: when the line tightens and you “yank” the fish from the water.
Trenton’s love for fishing began when he was a young boy, and he has since worked tirelessly to perfect his formula for lures that anglers can trust. Now a freshman at Strawberry Crest High School, he is working to secure a sponsor to launch the school’s first fishing club. All the while, he balances a rigorous course load, a job at Publix, playing basketball, and running a growing business—a feat that left judges and attendees alike impressed.
“I’ve loved fishing since I was a little kid,” Trenton said. “When I couldn’t find lures that fit what I needed, I decided to make my own. Now I get to share something I love with people across the country.”
“Stick to it,” he advises other young entrepreneurs. “It’s hard work, but it’s worth it in the end.”
Trax Credit Union is proud to honor Trenton for embodying the spirit of innovation at a young age: transforming passion into a scalable business, serving his community, and inspiring his peers to dream big. Follow Trenton’s journey and support Yank at @YankTV03 on Facebook and Instagram.
