Valrico This Week — June 15, 2026

A Week of Local Pride and Achievement

This week, our community has plenty to celebrate. Our local leadership is getting recognized for excellence, our young people are accomplishing incredible things, and there's real momentum happening in the business community around us.

Sheriff Chad Chronister recently received the 2026 Ellsworth G. Simmons Good Government Award, a prestigious honor that reflects the quality of leadership and service our area is known for. It's great to see our local officials recognized for their commitment to good governance and community safety. That kind of recognition matters—it shows that when we hold our leaders to high standards, it pays off.

Speaking of accomplishments, congratulations are absolutely due to the area's high school valedictorians and salutatorians from the class of 2026. These students represent the best of what our community produces. Whether they're heading to college, trade schools, or straight into careers, they're carrying Valrico's values forward. It's always inspiring to see our young people excel and reach these milestone achievements. These are the kinds of wins that remind us why we love living here.

Education and Athletics on the Rise

Florida Polytechnic University is making moves in women's basketball with a new head coach taking the helm. It's exciting to see our regional institutions investing in their athletic programs and providing opportunities for student-athletes to compete and grow. Higher education in our backyard continues to strengthen, which is fantastic for families looking to keep their kids close while they pursue their degrees.

The Business Community is Growing

If you've been paying attention to the "Eye On Business" updates coming out of our Riverview area, there's clear momentum in our commercial landscape. New ventures are launching, and existing businesses are expanding. That kind of economic activity is what keeps our community vibrant and creates opportunities for everyone—from job seekers to entrepreneurs to homebuyers who want to know their neighborhoods are thriving.

Real Estate Market Notes

The Valrico and Brandon real estate market continues to show solid fundamentals heading into mid-June. Summer typically brings increased activity as families finalize their moving plans, and we're seeing steady buyer interest in our area's diverse housing stock. If you've been thinking about listing or looking to make a move, now's a good time to explore what's available—the market is healthy and balanced right now.

Looking Forward

What strikes me about these stories is how they paint a picture of a community that's forward-thinking and invested in doing things the right way. Whether it's education, public service, business development, or athletics, there's a consistent thread of people and institutions working hard to make things better.

Living in Valrico means being part of something that works. We've got strong leadership, excellent schools, young people with real potential, and a business community that's actively growing. That's not luck—that's the result of people who care about where they live and what they're building here.

If you're thinking about making Valrico or Brandon your home, this is the kind of community momentum that should matter to you. These aren't just headlines—they're signs of a place with real energy and real opportunity.

Until next week, keep an eye on what's happening in our community. There's always something good brewing in Valrico.

— Barrett