Finance

By Business Observer Staff
November 20, 2008

Gulf Coast Week

Pinellas home constructionTo promote more single-family home construction, Pinellas County has been buying commercial properties and rezoning them to attract builders.SRI breaks groundSRI International recently broke ground on its new maritime research and development facility at the Port of St. Petersburg's Bayboro Harbor Marine Science district. AMD opensAdvanced Medical Disposal Inc. recently opened operations in Largo serving healthcare, chemical and pharmaceutical companies throughout the Tampa Bay region.Next up: BaltimoreA week after officially losing the Boston Red Sox spring training sweepstakes, some Sarasota County officials and tourism executives are switching focus to a rival of the Red Sox: the Baltimore Orioles.PL plans rate cutFlorida Power & Light filed proposals with the Florida Public Service Commission that would lower the typical residential customer bill in 2009 by 1.4%.Direct Air's new serviceDirect Air, a low-cost carrier based in Myrtle Beach, S.C., plans to start nonstop service from Charlotte County Airport in Punta Gorda to Worcester, Mass.; Kalamazoo, Mich.; Toledo, Ohio; Allentown, Penn.; Niagara Falls, N.Y., Plattsburgh, N.Y., and Myrtle Beach on Nov. 22.Pepper Ranch conservedCollier County plans to buy Pepper Ranch in eastern Collier County for $33.3 million. The land measures 2,512 acres.Proscenium moves alongThe Proscenium, a supersized mixed-use project for an underdev

Finance

By Business Observer Staff
November 14, 2008

Gulf Coast Week

Council, TECO at oddsThe Tampa City Council recently rejected a 25-year franchise agreement proposal offered by Tampa Electric Co., asking the utility to bury its power lines and adopt more environmentally friendly policies.Beckner vs. sprawlThe Gulf Coast construction industry will be keeping an eye on Kevin Beckner, who recently defeated conservative incumbent Brian Blair for a seat on the Hillsborough County Commission, running on a platform of limiting sprawl, protecting the environment and building mass transit.Developer pleads guilty One of the biggest mortgage fraud cases ever on the Gulf Coast saw its first guilty plea recently when onetime developer Michael A. Tringali admitted to his role in the scheme. Pappas resurfaces The Selby Foundation, one of the most well known charitable groups in Greater Sarasota, has chosen a new leader, one almost as well known as the organization.Lee visitors declineThe number of visitors who traveled to Lee County in September dropped 21% to 262,439, compared with the same month a year ago, according to Davidson Peterson Associates.Lely canal widenedCollier Enterprises and Collier County government have widened the Lely Main Canal from 50 feet to 125 feet.

Finance

By Business Observer Staff
November 14, 2008

Financial Statements

View Financial Statements from Roper Industries Inc. and Lincare Holdings Inc.

Finance

By Business Observer Staff
November 6, 2008

Gulf Coast Week

Developments approvedWater restrictions addedSox stay putPermits remain lowRoad project finishedProject moves alongCompany to make cuts

Finance

By Business Observer Staff
October 30, 2008

Gulf Coast Week

Alaka'i expandsAlaka'i Consulting & Engineering Inc., a Largo-based defense contractor that makes bomb-detection devices, has moved from a Pinellas County business incubator to a new facility in Largo that will allow it to expand.Gymboree closesA Tampa Bay area franchisee of Gymboree Play & Music centers, who sought protection from creditors in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in March, has closed some of its Bay area locations.Another Indigo HotelA joint-venture partnership of Seaboard Hotel Associates LLC, Tampa-based BayStar Hotel Group and St. Petersburg-based Ballast Point Group plans to begin construction later this year on a 168-room Hotel Indigo in downtown Tampa's Channelside District.Bed tax for BoSoxLee County is considering diverting 20% of the taxes it collects on tourist accommodations to pay for a new stadium and training facility for the Boston Red Sox baseball team.Visitor count dropsThe number of visitors to Collier County in September declined 12.9% to 57,700 compared with one year ago, according to consulting firm Research Data Services.Airport traffic dropsThe number of passengers who traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers in September dropped 15% to 328,000 compared with the same month a year ago.Airport traffic decreasesTotal passenger traffic through Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport dipped almost 7% in September, but the drop wasn't as steep as officials thought

Finance

By Business Observer Staff
October 30, 2008

Financial Statements

View Financial Statements from Source Interlink Cos. Inc. and Jabil Circuit Inc.

Finance

By Business Observer Staff
October 23, 2008

Gulf Coast Week

Farmer's market opensWorkers and visitors tiring of the same sandwich, or looking to do shopping in downtown Tampa, will be able to visit the outdoor farmer's market, which begins Friday, Oct. 24, and will run every Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lykes Gaslight Square in downtown Tampa.Road work speeds upBusinesses should benefit from some speeded up road projects in Hillsborough County, among 179 that Gov. Charlie Crist is accelerating to help Florida's economy.Bond market uncertaintyConcerns over global credit have affected the bond market, and that is delaying some development and infrastructure projects in the Tampa Bay area.Bond market uncertaintyConcerns over global credit have affected the bond market, and that is delaying some development and infrastructure projects in the Tampa Bay area.Convention center suffersAdd the Manatee Convention Center to the list of businesses and entities that reported a financial slowdown during the past fiscal year.Banker pleads guiltyPhilip Coon, a former executive vice president with what was Coast Bank, plead guilty to fraud and money laundering charges in criminal accusations that officials say indirectly led to the Bradenton-based bank's demise. Developer funds schoolsBonita Bay Group, a Bonita Springs-based developer, recently gave nine public schools in Collier, Hendry and Lee counties more than $62,500 for innovative programs that enhance the curriculum.Napl

Finance

By Business Observer Staff
October 16, 2008

Gulf Coast Week

Utilities lower costsTwo Gulf Coast utilities lowered their fuel cost estimates and, as a result, readjusted their projected 2009 prices for electricity.Veto power toutedBackers of an elected Hillsborough County mayor failed to get the measure on the November ballot. But they did succeed in getting something related to it before voters.Getting energy from wasteIn what may be a first on the Gulf Coast and for Florida, Tampa is meeting with seven companies who may build a waste-to-energy plant for the city.Tourism taxes riseOne bright spot in an otherwise gloomy economic setting in Manatee County continues to be tourism.Red Sox talks ... continueSarasota County and the City of Sarasota sent out a press release Tuesday morning announcing they had ended negotiations with the Boston Red Sox to lure the team's spring training complex to Sarasota. Naples gets big conferenceThe 2009 Florida Venture Capital Conference will be held in Naples from Feb. 3-4. Collier tourism increasesThe number of Collier County tourists increased 2.1% in August, according to Research Data Services, a Tampa-based research firm reported for the Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau.Hodges University growsHodges University, a private Naples-based university, reported its enrollment surge 13% to 2,163 students, the first time the school has exceeded 2,000 students.

Finance

By Business Observer Staff
October 16, 2008

Financial Statements

View Financial Statements from Miva Inc. and Geo Pharma Inc.

Finance

By Business Observer Staff
October 9, 2008

Gulf Coast Week

Channelside condos emergeAfter filing for protection from creditors in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Tampa, The Towers of Channelside, a pair of 29-story luxury condominiums in downtown Tampa, have structured a new loan that will bring the project out of court and more quickly back in business.Possible transit taxA regional transportation authority is studying the possible success of a half-penny sales tax increase in the seven Gulf Coast counties that would benefit from a new mass transit system.Lawsuit threat lingersMosaic Fertilizer, a Mulberry-based phosphate mining and fertilizer company, has notified Manatee County commissioners that it intends to file a $600 million lawsuit against the county for denying its mining proposal in a northeast section of the county. Expansion project curtailedA $500 million redevelopment proposal for a beach club and resort on Longboat Key has been cut by $100 million.Building permits limpingLee County issued building permits for 32 single-family homes in September, which tied the record monthly low set in December. Fewer visitors in AugustStorms, both man-made and natural, resulted in a 16% decline in visitors to Lee County in August, according to estimates by consulting firm Davidson Peterson Associates for the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau.Counties hire marketerThe regional economic development organizations of Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota counties

Finance

By Business Observer Staff
October 2, 2008

Gulf Coast Week

Shells shuts downA one-time Gulf Coast institution that used to attract lines outside its locations that featured shelled peanuts, grouper sandwiches and wall paintings of local celebrities, Shells Seafood Restaurants Inc., is closing its doors.Two more for Chapter 11Bill Heard Chevrolet, a Plant City mainstay business for many years, recently closed days before mounting losses forced its parent company in Columbus, Ga. to file for protection from creditors in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.Yacht club project sailsThe Sarasota City Commission recently approved a $55 million yacht club and redevelopment project for an area just north of downtown Sarasota that promises to bring more than 100 jobs to the region, not to mention a jolt to the sagging local construction industry.Lee County manager clearedAn independent review of Lee County Manager Donald Stillwell found no evidence that he lied to county commissioners about his ownership in land whose value could be affected by their decisions.Airport traffic down 8%Southwest Florida International Airport saw an 8% decline in passenger traffic in August compared with the same month a year ago. Nearly 449,000 passengers traveled through the Fort Myers airport.FGCU gets $600,000Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers received a $600,000 gift from North Carolina-based banking company BB&T Corp. to establish the BB&T Distinguished Professorship in Free Enterprise at the Lutgert College

Finance

By Business Observer Staff
September 25, 2008

Financial Statements

Finance

By Business Observer Staff
September 25, 2008

Gulf Coast Week

Hyde Park Village changingEight tenants at Tampa's Old Hyde Park Village urban shopping center got notices to vacate or move to smaller spaces as the upscale retail center looks for ways to boost revenue amid a changing retail environment locally and nationally.Universal Health Care movesUniversal Health Care Group signed a lease as the first major tenant to move into 100 Bay Central in downtown St. Petersburg, the former domed corporate headquarters building of Progress Energy.Building departments mergeThe cities of Venice and North Port in Sarasota County have teamed up with Charlotte County to form a joint building department.Mining development deniedEven though Manatee County commissioners finally voted on a mining proposal for a 1,500-acre tract in northeast Manatee County, the issue is not closed. Lee comp plan changesLee County commissioners are debating 20 changes to the county's comprehensive land-use plan in a series of meetings, some of them more controversial than others.Long live CollierMagazines love lists.Fort Myers raises taxesThe Fort Myers City Council recently approved a 15% increase in the property tax millage rate that will result in a 12% increase in tax revenues, taking into account a 2.7% drop in property values.Tampa Ritz-Carlton deadTampa's chance to land a Ritz-Carlton hotel on the Courtney Campbell Causeway, between Tampa and Clearwater, has ended.

Finance

By Business Observer Staff
September 18, 2008

Gulf Coast Week

County mayor blockedThree judges upheld an earlier judge's decision to remove a charter amendment from the November ballot that would allow voters to decide whether Hillsborough County should move to a county mayor form of government.Zoo audit requestedThe head of Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, Lex Salisbury, is being asked to prove that his entrepreneurial work in Polk County hasn't created a conflict with the taxpayer-backed zoo.Annual budget doneFor the second consecutive year, Manatee County commissioners have approved a budget that will decrease countywide spending.New LWR anchor storeOne of the largest retail commercial developments in east Manatee County, Lakewood Ranch's Main Street, is getting a new anchor tenant.Mega-dorm at Ave MariaAve Maria University, the new Catholic institution in east Collier County, plans to build a 552-student "mega-dorm."Lee housing gets absorbedTwo areas particularly hard hit by the real estate decline in Lee County - Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres - showed strong gains in sales of single-family homes in August, according to the Southwest Florida Real Estate Investors Association.

Finance

By Business Observer Staff
September 11, 2008

Gulf Coast Week

Judges to rule on mayor issueThe consolidation of power in Hillsborough County government through an elected county mayor is now going to a three-judge panel.Historic school demolishedAmid protests from preservationists, workers demolished the historic Gary Adult High School in Ybor City, which may make way for a sports complex, the property owner says.Bilirakis' biometrics billU.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, the first-term Republican representing the Tampa Bay Area's Ninth Congressional District of Florida, has sponsored a bill to require the government to use more biometrics.Budget deficit loomsFor the first time in a decade, Sarasota County might be operating under a budget deficit.Food distributor finedThe Palmetto-based branch of Sysco Food services, one of the largest food and beverage distributors on the Gulf Coast, has entered into an agreement with the state Attorney General's office regarding allegations that it sold fish labeled as grouper that was actually other varieties and species.Tourism numbers declineThe estimated number of visitors to Lee County declined 6.7% in July to 443,166 compared with the same month a year ago, according to figures compiled by Davidson Peterson Associates for the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau.Whole Foods at MercatoWhole Foods Market, the natural and organic food supermarket, opened its first store in Southwest Florida in Naples.Tourism tax increaseManatee

Finance

« 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 »

Gulf Coast Week

Gulf Coast Week

Financial Statements

Gulf Coast Week

Gulf Coast Week

Financial Statements

Gulf Coast Week

Gulf Coast Week

Financial Statements

Gulf Coast Week

Gulf Coast Week

Financial Statements

Gulf Coast Week

Gulf Coast Week

Gulf Coast Week

St. Petersburg Gas Plant RFP draws nine proposals

DeSantis, MLB commissioner support Tampa Bay Rays' stadium plans

California hedge fund makes $1.1B offer to buy MarineMax

Landmark downtown Sarasota hotel torn down for new project

AI, emerging tech at the forefront of annual annual jobs summit

3 Articles Remaining!

Not a Subscriber?

Already a Subscriber?

3 Articles Remaining!

Not a Subscriber?

Already a Subscriber?

Sign Up for Daily Brief

Sign Up for CRE Central