Bigger slice

Orlando-based TLC Engineering for Architecture grew a Tampa office almost primarily from its work at Tampa International Airport, scoring a number of mechanical-system engineering jobs for the airport's various build-outs since the mid-'90s. But when the recession forced the owners to downsize their Tampa office by 15% to 20%, it also made them rethink their reliance on the airport.

“The airport won't always have a billion-dollar master plan,” says Jason Heffelmire, director of TLC's Gulf Coast region.

This year the company, which provides engineering, design and consulting for everything from lighting and electricity to plumbing to HVAC systems, started to find more work in the health care industry.