News

Business Observer Staff
January 19, 2026

Nominations open for Business Observer's 2026 Top Contractors issue

Enter now to be in the issue — digital and print — scheduled to be published in March.

Florida

Louis Llovio
January 18, 2026

$6.8 billion redevelopment plan gains supporters

In the week's top commercial real estate news, Florida Citizens' rates dropping nearly 10%, a $15 million renovation finishes in Naples, and a church buys a former radio station property in Tampa.

Florida

Elizabeth King
January 16, 2026

Bradenton Area EDC names interim CEO

The appointment of an interim CEO — Fawley Bryant Architecture COO and Partner Amanda Parrish — comes after the former leader of the organization retired.

Manatee-Sarasota

Louis Llovio
January 16, 2026

College to discuss Tampa Bay Rays' plans to build stadium on campus

The trustees of Hillsborough Community College are scheduled to discuss plans from the baseball team to build a new ballpark on the school's property.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

Elizabeth King
January 16, 2026

$34M in financing secured for two Sarasota County projects

Berkadia helped secure two loans for a privately held real estate investment firm toward projects in Nokomis and the city of Sarasota.

Manatee-Sarasota

Mark Gordon
January 16, 2026

Shuttered SWFL college lives on with $10M scholarship fund

Hodges University closed in August 2024.

Charlotte–Lee–Collier

Louis Llovio
January 15, 2026

Rays expect new ballpark by 2029 despite 'daunting,' 'overwhelming' challenges

Speaking on the "Hunks Talking Junk" podcast, the Tampa Bay Rays' CEO says he expects to have a deal done that will make it possible for a new stadium to open in time for the 2029 season.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

Elizabeth King
January 15, 2026

Sarasota Station breaks ground, marking city’s first Live Local project

A Sarasota developer is building 202 apartments for workforce housing.

Manatee-Sarasota

Anastasia Dawson
January 15, 2026

Tampa man sentenced to federal prison for $500K in COVID loan fraud

Terrance Bradford, 47, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and a forfeiture order of $533,648.52 after pleading guilty to eight counts of wire fraud.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

Anastasia Dawson
January 15, 2026

USF climbs national research rankings, outpaces peers

The University of South Florida has increased research spending by nearly 29% over the past two years, according to a new report.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

Louis Llovio
January 14, 2026

Tampa church buys former radio station property

Radiant Church, which has operated out of South Tampa shopping center for more than a decade, will begin construction on new church building seating 1,400.