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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • June 29, 2007
Still Booming

New shopping centers, hotels and office buildings are in the plans as the Tampa Bay region continues to see low vacancy rates, growing rental rates and steady demand.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • August 17, 2007
Coffee Talk

Sarasota company hopes to shine in India: Sarasota-based cartridge valve manufacturer Sun Hydraulics has a good grip on at least six global markets, from Korea to Germany.Lee County: Anotherday, another tax: Not a week goes by in Lee County that county government doesn't dream up another tax on builders.Cold storage creates trifecta for Sarasota warehouse: The latest tenant for the Meridian Distribution Center, a 950,000-square-foot warehouse facility on Clark Road in south Sarasota, is especially apropos, given the sweltering Gulf Coast summerAnother public company going private: First, there was Outback Steakhouse. Now, St. Petersburg-based Catalina Marketing is headed to the private companies club.Nightline dumbs down Ave Maria: Ave Maria, the new town being built in eastern Collier County around the newest Catholic university, has been getting lots of national publicity lately opening to new residents, students and faculty.Good guys sometimes lose: Ethical companies don't always win, even when their employees do the right thing.Call the sign shop, again: MacDill Federal Credit Union, an institution of sorts in the Tampa area financial services industry, is changing its name to Grow Financial Federal Credit Union.Kottkamp bashes Hometown Democracy: Gov. Charlie Crist has been notably absent from the raging debate over the Hometown Democracy movement that seeks to put every major land-use change in Florida on the ba

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • December 14, 2006
Coffee Talk

What's the future for Source Interlink? Sarasota County is considering nearly tripling its impact-fee assessments on new developments, despite the sluggish housing market.MarineMax, left out of Boating Industry magazine's annual top 100 listCoffee Talk realizes, obviously, that no one who reads the Review can be categorized as a bad boss. Still, the results of a Florida State University study on the employee-employer relationship are telling, in terms of what it means for employee performance and retention.Here's another indication that Florida's growth is pushing inland: Naples-based TIB Financial is opening a TIB Bank branch in Sebring. Gary Hoyle expected to be busy when he announced plans earlier this year to take the Peach's Rise and Dine breakfast/lunch concept national on a franchising basis.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • January 26, 2007
Coffee Talk

Health Management Associates sent a clear message to the private-equity vultures circling the Naples-based hospital chain: Back off. Steven Kossoff, principal of Clearwater's Meridian Development Group paid $7.3 million for Lakeland Interstate Business Park in September 2005. It was his firm's first investment in Florida after relocating to the state from Buffalo, N.Y.t's no surprise that companies in Florida lack easy access to venture capital. Still, it's disconcerting to realize last year's VC funding in the Sunshine State dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade.The strategy of knowing your customers, making sound asset and loan decisions and going after condo association deposits might not be exciting, but in the case of Sarasota-based People's Community Bancshares, it sure has been profitable: The bank is regularly one of the top performing community banks in the Sarasota market.It wasn't a good week to be either an executive or a shareholder - or both - with Bradenton-based Coast Bank.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • March 30, 2007
Corporate Report

HMA backs off two-hospital sale to Shiloh Health ServicesGeneral Dynamics lands $60 million contracts for ArmyRoskamp Institute's study positive on Alzheimer's drugSource Interlink keeps its Nasdaq Listing Oddpodz adds product placement to virtual buildings, peopleUnlimited Priorities, Access Innovations partnerGerdau Ameristeel changes auditor Radiation Therapy Services hires new CFO Tampa area companies start SouthernTravelNews.comTampa area companies start SouthernTravelNews.comE-commerce site donating 20% of new revenue to charity

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • April 6, 2007
'Best Year Ever'

Rising interest rates boosted income at Bank of Tampa, which had as much as 36% of its deposits in checking accounts in 2006. As for real estate loans, the bank has a lower percentage than other community banks.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • December 14, 2007
Coffee Talk

Lee County imposes moratorium: Incoming Lee County Commission Chairman Ray Judah had some explaining to do when he appeared before a group of builders and developers recently.Shells goes to the Middle East: It's not where you normally hear about international expansion.Construction firm looks forward to next year: T. Craig Campbell, president of Palmetto-based Zirkelbach Construction, uses phrases like "cautiously optimistic", "hopeful" and "still watching pennies", when predicting what kind of year the company is looking at in 2008. Commercial brokers seek access to TICs: If the National Association of Realtors has its way with federal regulators, some commercial real estate brokers will have another way of making money next year.WCI gets reprieve from lenders: WCI Communities got a one-month extension from lenders to Jan. 7 to renegotiate the terms of its loans. So what?Homebuilder celebrates the holidays with sales: November turned out to be a pretty good month for Lakewood Ranch-based homebuilder Neal Communities.Tampa to get Ritz-Carlton: For years, city and tourism officials have lamented that the Ritz-Carlton's flag hasn't flown over Tampa.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • April 13, 2007
Coffee Talk

Telovations Inc. CEO Rick Schonbrun says the Tampa-based startup is poised to expand now that it has received $6.5 million in venture capital.When Joe Hice, a marketing executive for places as varied as the University of Florida, Segway and Harley Davidson, talks about using the Internet to promote a business, he's not referring to any old Web site. Those days, says Hice, are over. Service has long been a buzzword in residential real estate, but the definition has always been tough to define. One customer's idea of the perfect agent is another's idea of the perfect bust. Scott Sosso, president of Prudential Palms Realty, a 250-plus agent firm covering Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties, is trying to get a more precise definition, starting with having all Prudential agents attend Quality Service Certification training.In June, Enterprise Florida, the statewide economic development arm, is taking an export sales trade mission to Bogota and Medellin, two of the more populous cities in the South American country. The Bank of Tampa and its co-founder and CEO, A. Gerald Divers, were recently profiled in the Review. After 23 years of overseeing and nurturing what some call "Jerry's Bank," Divers is slowly relinquishing control.Internet chat rooms have been buzzing about a Web site that analyzes sales for various residential projects by Bonita Springs-based developer WCI Communities.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • April 20, 2007
Corporate Report

Chico's reports strong March sales, comparables NCircle lands deal with Bert Smets ProductionsTIB Financial, Bank of Venice set to close April 30Javien Digital licenses NeoMedia's qodeRaymond James shuffles board membersGeoPharma completes $12.5-million equity deal Paradise promotes SolutionsSirion raises $45 millionGolfer Morgan Pressel signs endorsement with GemesisPersystent product in GSA ConnectWise adds COOWorld Energy purchases Sol-GelSmith president of OutbackInternational Realty name-change

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • April 27, 2007
Corporate Report

Greystone partners with 3M Health Care for U.K.Ringling drops 'School' in favor of 'College'Sirion Therapeutics' awarded orphan drug statusTampa companies win Small Business AwardsClinicalVillage.com beta site unveiledShutts & Bowen hires Lee E. NelsonHSN partners with Scoop NYCMichael Saunders joins Trulia boardVAXA International launches AttendArthur Guilford heading USF Sarasota-ManateeLydian Bank planning Sarasota expansionTelovations lands $6.5 million in capitalPreferred Community Bank hires new CFO

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • February 29, 2008
Smile Factories

Coast Dental Services began in Tampa and is now throughout Florida and Georgia with its sights set nationally.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • August 25, 2006
Running on Ego

Oscar Parsons openly admits that his ego is part of the fuel behind the Sarasota Bradenton International Convention Center. But he also fully believes he can make it work.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • November 4, 2005
Lessons from the Storm

How the Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Fort Myers recovered from Hurricane Charley offers valuable lessons in crisis management for any business.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • May 20, 2005
Bank Turn

A group of south Hillsborough County business owners, rebuffed by thrift regulators, decide that starting a state-chartered bank makes better sense.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • October 16, 2008
Coffee Talk

Economy rainson home paradeThe economic downturn is raining on the fall parade of homes.un Hydraulics founder,plant innovator, diesRobert Koski, the co-founder of Sarasota-based Sun Hydraulics who pioneered flat corporate hierarchies long before the idea became corporate dogma, died Oct. 11. He was 79.Super visiting time,just in timeThe Gulf Coast is getting ready to host the Super Bowl in February and just in time for the game and its visitors, the new 255-room, 16-story Westin Hotel will open its doors on Tampa's Courtney Campbell Causeway, just west of the Hyatt.Sarasota group aimsfor elected in mayorA plan to create an elected mayor system of government, albeit in a watered down plan, is coming back to Sarasota.dvertising firmsupset with EDCsShould economic development groups hire local marketing firms?Dear Joy:Gendusa gives adviceYou can't fault Joy Gendusa for not taking the personal approach.Fort Myers airportgets more destinationsAirlines keep trimming service at airports around the country, but Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers is getting three new airline destinations this winter, according to Bob Ball, the airport's director.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • December 11, 2008
Control the Controllables'

An energetic new division president for Beall's knows the department store chain has succeeded by knowing the Florida consumer. She also knows the economy and competition present serious challenges.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • May 9, 2008
Coffee Talk

Minimize taxes on new construction: Builders dread the taxes on new construction because they're so high on the Gulf Coast that many projects now don't make financial sense.Westshore hotels continue to lure investors: Westshore, the Gulf Coast's biggest business district, has seen another hotel change hands - the Sheraton Suites on Cypress Street in Tampa.Sarasota college student shines: Executives and entrepreneurs searching for employees who 'get it' have long complained that the Sarasota-Bradenton area is lacking in colleges and universities that can produce those types of job candidates.Sneaky, er, creative way to get new business: Here's one sign that it's a rough time for mortgage brokers.Downtown Tampa grows, still lacks residents' needs Downtown: Tampa is maturing as a residential location and urban destination for residents and workersFort Myers fundraising maestro is back: Bill Merwin is back and he'll help you shake some money out of those trees.Largo dentist develops tool to help athletes excel: If you're tired of hearing about steroids, a Largo dentist has developed a natural way to help athletes and non-athletes improve performance: the Pure Power Mouthguard.Worrisome Gulf Coast banks being watched: Gulf Coast financial institutions have a starring role on an updated 'watch' list of Florida banks complied by a national banking analyst for financial Web site thestreet.com.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • July 23, 2004
Big Business

Donald D. Conn and an assistant mostly rely on outside help to solve Tampa Bay Water's legal problems.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • February 13, 2004
Indelible Impression

Cody Fowler Davis walks in big footsteps - those left by his grandfather, Cody Fowler, one of the founders of Tampa's Fowler White law firm.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • August 22, 2003
Niche: Residential to Retail

Morin Development's projects include the replacement of the strange-looking former Walter Industries headquarters, near Interstate 275, with a multistory mall.

  • Entrepreneurs
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