Authority looks at transit: The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority is planning the first round of public workshops for a master plan to improve mobility within its seven countiesSt. Pete residents favor park: Given the chance to weigh in on the future of Al Lang Field on the St. Petersburg waterfront, most of the nearly 200 people who attended a public forum recently in St. Petersburg said they want all or much of the baseball grounds turned into parkland.Hangar deal creates 400 jobs: Up to 410 new jobs could be created at Tampa International Airport in the next two years with the recent approval of a lease agreement for Pemco World Air Services Inc. for a maintenance hanger.Congressman expands role: U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, is putting his entrepreneurial and business skills to good useCounty cuts more jobs: Local and county governments in the Sarasota-Manatee area continue to layoff small groups of employees in response to budget cuts stemming from the slowing economy and enforced tax cutsNew airport development: The Lee County Port Authority approved a deal to lease land to Denver-based developer John Madden Co.Lee hotels post mixed results: A majority of hoteliers surveyed by the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau - 57% - reported January occupancy rates were better or the same than January 2007Wine Festival's $17 million: The Naples Children and Education Foundation, organizers of
