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Industries

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2008
Merchants of Hope

Providing death with dignity on the Gulf Coast is big business. It requires big-thinking executives.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2008
Miles ahead

A decision to pump $1.5 million into a company with declining revenues during a deep industry downturn can test anyone's resolve. "My instinct was to build," says Roger Miles.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2008
Precious and Private

In person or by mail, Suzanne Perry, a former cosmetics executive, sells jewelry to affluent clients, and she likes it that way.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2008
Building New

Is this any time to start a construction company? Two Gulf Coast entrepreneurs are betting it is.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2008
Gulf Coast Week

Toll road plans dying: The proposed 3-mile, $155 million east-west road linking New Tampa to Interstate 275, talked about for years as a way to lessen traffic in New Tampa and southern Pasco County, may be scrapped.St. Pete to open talks: St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker has asked the city to begin negotiations with two of three developers that submitted bids to remake Tropicana Field into a mixed-use development No-growth initiative passes: In a special election held May 6, Sarasota County voters overwhelmingly approved two ballot measures that some in the local business community considered pro-business initiatives.Rural project expansion: The potential developer of 26 square miles in rural southern Sarasota County is planning to put an additional $90 million into the project.Gyrocam lands huge deal: Gyrocam Systems has been awarded a $302 million contract from the U.S. Army Lee permits hit bottom: Lee County issued permits for 47 single-family homes in April, the same number the county did in March. However, April's number is down 82% from the 262 issued in April 2007.Tech group launched: A group of technology executives has created a coalition of companies in eight counties and plans a launch event May 22 in Fort Myers

  • Finance
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2008
Commercial Real Estate Briefs

Arthrex acquires 22 acres in Creekside, Ave MariaCham Holdings buys floor in Schwab buildingChick-Fil-A plans Estero restaurant for '09Stevens Construction completes renovationsGoodwill buys office in Palmer Ranch areaPeninsula Bank plans North Port branchSarasota entrepreneur buys Fruitville Taco BellMiami investors acquire Tampa apartmentsJerry Ulm auto dealer buys Circuit City storeOdyssey, Nure International buy Springwood Villas

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2008
Corporate Report

Walter Industries to separate businessesQuantum Immunologics testing cancer vaccineMIVA hires Perot Systems for ad management servicesNeoGenomics settles US Labs staff poaching caseGateway Bank approved to openLand company Alico declares new dividendTIB Financial increases salaries of four officersBrown & Brown declares 7-cent dividendCL Verify LLC hires new CEOUTEK TekScout partners with European news serviceTECO Energy adds half-cent to dividendCEO alerts shareholders to new CarBiz strategy

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 2, 2008
Corporate Report

Swedish bakery firm acquires St. Petersburg's Euro-BakeXpressO sales reach 1 million oscillators for FoxBank of St. Petersburg will become Florida BankQuality Distribution lays off 60 workersCryo-Cell study shows new stem-cell sourceFlorikan's staged fertilizer awarded U.S. patentIBHS of Tampa plans new research centerData Age Business Systems expands with Dallas officeStinger sues Taser, alleging 'injurious falsehood'Ritz-Carlton to host qualifier for U.S. Open

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 2, 2008
Sleep on it

Turns out that turnaround jobs of underperforming hotels is management- and labor-intensive work. And a slowing economy only means growing opportunities.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 2, 2008
Smart Growth?

The slowing economy isn't the only worry facing business owners. Government growth decisionsare troubling some entrepreneurs, too.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 2, 2008
Relative Retirement

Promoting amusement parks in Dubai and China lured a Gulf Coast executive out of his boat.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 2, 2008
A Sales Culture

Be aware, independent insurance firms: Brown & Brown Insurance plans to continue to acquire other insurance brokerages which fit its culture.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 2, 2008
Accident Control

Insurance brokers agree: The best way to control costs is to control accidents and offer employees choices, especially when it comes to health insurance.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 2, 2008
Sweet Carolina

As the economy struggles, one Gulf Coast-based insurance firm's expansion to North Carolina turned out to be good timing. Still, Florida remains a lucrative place to write policies.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 2, 2008
Hands on help

The Gulf Coast is full of retired executives who are ready to help budding entrepreneurs. Abbie Sladick turned to them to help her build a successful business around an innovative idea.

  • Entrepreneurs
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