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UCH, Adventist talk merger
Tampa-based University Community Health is exploring a possible merger with Adventist Health System of Orlando, creating the nation's largest Protestant health care system.
“What I can confirm is that both systems are focused on uninterrupted quality care to our patients and dedicated to the service of our employees,” Mike Schultz, president and CEO of Adventist's Florida Region, stated in a news release. Adventist and UCH previously partnered on the 80-bed Wesley Chapel Medical Center in 2007.
“It helps that we already are working together and have like-minded missions that stress patient-centered service,” said Norm Stein, UCH president and CEO.
Centro Ybor keeps watch
Current tenants at the Centro Ybor retail/entertainment complex in Tampa's Ybor City historic district are questioning its future after the loss of one of its largest tenants. GameWorks, a 28,000-square-foot video arcade and restaurant, abruptly shut down March 29 as part of a nationwide move by chain owner Sega Entertainment USA.
Chicago-based M&J Wilkow, which has owned and operated Centro Ybor since 2006, claimed the 10-year-old complex was 90% occupied until GameWorks closed, reducing occupancy to around 80%. Other current tenants include Muvico Theaters, the Improv comedy club, Tampa Digital Studios and restaurants.
CRIF buys software firm
CRIF Corp., a Tampa-based subsidiary of Italian banking credit information provider CRIF SpA, has agreed to buy Equifax Enabling Technologies LLC from Atlanta-based Equifax Inc. The sale price is $72.4 million, subject to certain adjustments, and the transaction will close later this month.
Equifax Enabling Technologies consists primarily of the APPRO suite of loan origination software. APPRO is based in Baton Rouge, La., and is a leading provider of comprehensive loan origination systems for financial institutions.
The grant is double the original amount commissioners planned to divert to the county's Economic Development Council. The funds are to be used to recruit businesses and companies to relocate to the county.
The grant, which commissioners approved by a 5-1 vote, also replaces a proposed annual $35 tax on local businesses. Chamber officials who supported that tax also wanted to use the money for similar business and jobs recruiting efforts.
But commissioners heard from several business owners who opposed the tax since the idea was proposed a few weeks ago. The commission tabled some public hearings on that tax in lieu of the new funding it authorized.
County considers project
A new community with at least 5,000 home lots proposed by Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch is up for review with the Sarasota Planning Commission.
The project, called The Villages of Lakewood Ranch South, would be the first large-scale home development project to fall under the guidelines of the Sarasota 2050 plan. That plan is designed to preserve open space and prevent sprawl.
Officials at SMR say The Villages, which is to be built in a series of phases between 2012 and 2027, follows those guidelines. The project is planned at more than 5,100 homes and 390,000 square feet of commercial space.
The Planning Commission will analyze the project and make a recommendation to Sarasota County Commissioners, who could vote on it at an April 29 meeting.
Bank consolidates offices
Branch Banking & Trust Corp., which grew from 100 to 300 offices in Florida when it bought Colonial Bank last year, has consolidated its Sarasota and Bradenton locations.
In Sarasota County, the bank plans to open a new regional headquarters in a downtown office and branch at 1800 2nd St. That office, which is expected to open by the end of April, replaces one BB&T branch and another Colonial branch. In Manatee County, meanwhile, BB&T has already closed one branch on Manatee Avenue and has moved to an old Colonial office about two miles east.
New Interlink CEO
Source Interlink, a Bonita Springs-based magazine publisher and distributor, said it has named Michael Sullivan as chief executive officer.
Most recently, Sullivan was president and chief executive officer of Comag Marketing Group, a distribution company jointly owned by Conde Nast Publications and Hearst Magazines. In that position, Sullivan oversaw 25% of the country’s retail magazine distribution for Conde Nast, Hearst and 50 other publishers.
Privately held Source Interlink, which publishes 65 enthusiast magazines such as Motor Trend and Snowboarder, reported $2 billion in revenues last year.
PR firms merge
M.creative principal Melinda Isley recently became a partner in the Fort Myers-based public-relations firm of Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold after the firms merged.
Gravina, Smith was formed in 1983 and handles marketing and public relations for a broad range of companies such as Bonita Bay Group and Hope Healthcare Services. M.creative has been developing public relations and advertising for companies and nonprofit groups since 2000, including Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall and Community Cooperative Ministries.
Hospitals collaborate
Lee Memorial Health Systems in Fort Myers and Massachusetts General Hospital agreed to collaborate to provide cancer care for patients in Southwest Florida.
Patients at Lee Memorial's Regional Cancer Center will have access to specialists at Mass General's Cancer Center in Boston for second opinions and coordinated care. This includes access to novel approaches and treatments in use at Mass General, including genetic testing and proton-beam radiation and stem cell therapies.
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