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Industries

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 13, 2008
Around the World

In the high-stakes world of running an international travel agency, it helps to be opportunistic. Never take no for an answer.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 13, 2008
Leaving the comfort zone

Ben Nelson Jr. says spending time away from his marine-construction business made him a better boss and made is company more successful. Now, he faces the biggest test of that as the newly elected mayor of Bonita Springs.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 13, 2008
Gulf Coast Week

Trump Tower trumped: The $225 million Trump Tower in downtown Tampa that began with such fanfare in early 2005 appears to be headed for a quiet, ignominious end.Rays' lead-off lawyer: The Tampa Bay Rays may be riding high on the field this season, but they are in critical need of support from the Pinellas County Commission later this summer to move ahead on a new bayfront stadiumManatee cuts jobs: At least 85 jobs in Manatee County could be eliminated over the next few months, as the county begins to respond to what could be as much as $44 million in budget cuts.New Publix planned: An abandoned newspaper office could be turned into one of the largest Publix supermarkets in the area in and around downtown SarasotaEmbarq closes call center: Telephone service provider Embarq will close its Fort Myers customer call center Aug. 8 and lay off 108 employees, the company says.Creeks preserve opens: Lee County opened the Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve May 20, a 1,261-acre site on which the county spent $2.1 million to improve 200 acres with restrooms, a canoe launch, parking areas, picnic shelters, trails and observation decks.BioFlorida starts chapter: BioFlorida, the state's bioscience industry association, has launched a Southwest Florida chapter, its sixth in the state, according to the Economic Development Council of Collier County.

  • Finance
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 13, 2008
International Flavor

A Mexican businesswoman happily discovers that American challenges, such as a stifling economy, beat the worries she faced back home.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 13, 2008
Flying Low

Tourism has been one of the few economic bright spots on the Gulf Coast, but the airlines' woes may crimp the industry's growth. One potential salvation: international visitors.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 13, 2008
The Right Balance

Doubling the size of a retail operation during an economic downturn takes a few essentials. Capital, for one. Experience helps, too. The biggest factor? Guts.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 13, 2008
Corporate Report

Alico ends ethanol efforts, New Planet Energy continuesBrown & Brown Inc. buys California company assetsTech Data Corp. plans $100 million stock buybackMedia Vista Group moves TV show taping siteChico's FAS reports reduced sales, comparablesThree area health pros buyHome Instead Senior CareSunovia Energy Tech sells lights to Texas cityFox Electronics expands XpressO product lineMarineMax extends Meridian

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2008
The Swedish Maestro

Starting a hurricane-shutter business during a housing downturn is not for the faint of heart. But one Swedish entrepreneur is betting on a new business model for the industry.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2008
Impact resistant?

Market realities have forced PGT Industries, one of the oldest, and largest, window and door manufacturers on the Gulf Coast, to make some big changes.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2008
'A Gideon Moment'

What would drive a successful entrepreneur to drop a six-figure advertising budget to buy 10,000 TV spots urging people to find God? Anthony Leeber Sr. is certain he'll reap the rewards.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2008
Growin' Gecko's

Restaurants are closing on the Gulf Coast at a breakneck pace. A pair of longtime restaurateurs is trying to buck the trend.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2008
Commercial Real Estate Briefs

Collier to develop San Carlos retail, storage areasHadge & Associates buys final interest in Summerlin landPrimerica will develop new retail, office centerCedars Tennis Club's new owners plan renovationKaplan Bennett auctioning a pair of landmarksSarasota's Atco buys U.S. 301 BP stationGeorgia auto dealers buy Wesley Chapel ToyotaBlackhawk Realty Advisors buys Hidden Lake ApartmentsClearwater firm buys and plans makeover of St. James Place

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2008
Corporate Report

Clockwork Home Services buys plumbing, electric companynFinanSe plans $15 million credit lineOdyssey Marine protects new shipwreck sitesStinger Systems Band-It orders already beat 2007Source Interlink doubling Kentucky warehouse spaceAdministrative Concepts expands into California

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2008
Gulf Coast Week

Finalists narrowed: The contract to run advertising campaigns for the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau valued at nearly $10 million will be up for grabs later this year.Executive sells home: The chief executive officer and president of Clearwater-based boat dealer MarineMax made a big sale late last month. But it wasn't a boat.New scholarship created: The charitable foundation behind Beall's, the Bradenton-based department store chain, has teamed up with the Foundation for Manatee Community College to form a new scholarshipAward nominations sought: The Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County is seeking nominations for its 2008 Hall of Fame Awards.It only took two years: Sarasota-based developer Billy Springer has finally received long-awaited approvalWhat credit crunch?: Health Management Associates raised $275 million in a convertible-bond offering on May 21.Alligator Alley privatization: The Florida Department of Transportation is exploring the possibility of privatizing Alligator Alley,Lee permits find bottom: Lee County issued construction permits for 80 single-family homes in May, a 73% decline from the 301 issued in May 2007.

  • Finance
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2008
Storage of Hope

Cryo-Cell stores umbilical cord blood. Its chief executive, Mercedes Walton, is hoping the company's investments and repositioning pay off.

  • Entrepreneurs
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