Investment firm believes in local construction

The people behind Gravitas, a Sarasota-based investment firm, continue to hold a serious belief in the comeback ability of the Gulf Coast construction market.

The most recent proof: The firm took over operations of Quality Mine in Charlotte County. Gravitas set up Colonial Mining Materials LLC to operate the mine, in Placida, which Naples-based Stock Development owned. Stock Development executives approached Colonial and Gravitas last summer about taking over operations, according to Gravitas.

This marks the third time in the past year Gravitas invested in a construction-related firm — preserving up to 400 jobs in the process.