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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • September 16, 2024
Fort Myers' historic Shell Factory shutting down after 85 years

The tourist attraction's owner has decided to close and sell the property as the cost of operating grew too high to continue and efforts to find a buyer have failed.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • April 1, 2026
$300K Bradenton EDC contract up for vote in Manatee

Manatee commissioners will decide April 7 whether to execute a new contract with the EDC.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • December 22, 2006
Coffee Talk

Florida foreclosure numbers show big gainDon Ackerman will step down as chairman of WCI Communities at the company's next annual meeting, a sure sign that significant changes are in store for the struggling Bonita Springs-based homebuilder. Going into December, shares of PGT, the Venice-based impact-resistant window and door manufacturer, had been hovering in the $11-per-share range, and what's more, overall, the stock had decreased 15% since its June IPO and 33% since its all-time high of $18.84 Aug. 3.That was until SunTrust Robinson Humphrey analyst Keith Hughes upgraded his rating on the stock to buy from neutral.Coffee Talk is always a little weary when it hears about new products that come with a "change the entire dynamic" tag, be it small business banking or the latest stock craze. A little dose of skepticism can go a long way.But we perked up after talking to a few bankers about remote deposit capture, a federally approved system that equates digital check images with paper checks. It allows banks to provide a way for clients to scan paper checks and deposit them electronically. Coffee Talk usually takes the color-blind approach to judging businesses - or more to the point, if there's any color to be judged, the one with the most cache would be green. Hence, lists breaking down entrepreneurs by racial or gender categories are usually little more than window dressing.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • February 12, 2010
No Rest

The recession hasn't sent Adam DeClerico into a spiral. He has instead used the downturn to tinker with his dizzying array of businesses.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jay Brady |
  • April 1, 2011
Born to Lead

Freshman State Rep. Jim Boyd's legislative roots extend to his grandfather and uncle, who both served in the Florida House, but now the Palmetto native is making his own mark on a path to House leadership.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • August 3, 2021
Kindness in the executive suite fosters sweets rewards

Shontra Powell is no pushover. But she is kind. And her uber-successful leadership career is proof-positive nice people can win in business.

  • Leadership
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Traci McMillan Beach |
  • January 31, 2014
Loans with a click

Online lender OnDeck is touring the country to pitch to small businesses that can't get loans from a bank. As the company approaches servicing $1 billion in loans, CEO Noah Breslow says building trust remains a challenge.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • July 10, 2015
A good listener

David Verinder helped fix the finances at one of the largest health care systems in the region a decade ago. Next up: Guide the organization through what could be a lively next 10 years.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • March 30, 2007
Spec's Return

Developers are building speculative office and industrial buildings along the Gulf Coast as vacancy rates drop and rents rise. Overbuilding isn't a problem so far, brokers say.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • June 13, 2005
Helter Shelter

The IRS says Tampa investment executives Richard Frueh and Donald Gunn owe more than $2 million in back interest, thanks to a tax-shelter that advisers said was a 'no-lose' proposition. Says their lawyer: Frueh and Gunn were victims of 'incredible, if not criminal, advice' from supposedly reputable bankers, accountants and lawyers.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • October 15, 2020
Jessica Stanfield, 31

Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 20th Judicial Circuit, Executive Director

  • 40 Under 40
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • October 25, 2013
Big Smile

A Fort Myers dentist hopes a new office with a theme-park atmosphere will keep kids and their parents coming back.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • May 7, 2025
Manatee County OKs $23.5M administrative building purchase out east

The project to move administrative functions is expected to cost about $35 million.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • November 18, 2020
Firms find ways to help employees through pandemic

Keeping employees engaged — and mentally strong — at work is now a pandemic-era challenge like no other. Strategies, from providing clarity to espousing empathy to toilet roll basketball, are in the offing.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • May 25, 2007
Three Generations Strong

A business started 50 years ago by Sheldon Smith is now run by his grandsons, Chris and Shawn Smith. The company is moving its focus away from national builders as it adapts to the housing slump.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • May 7, 2004
Capital Guy

At 37, Trenam Kemker's Nelson T. Castellano is one of the area's top lawyers in complexbusiness transactions.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • May 23, 2013
Bernanke, we hate to admit, is fueling Florida's growth

Florida's economy is back. Well, pretty much.

  • Opinion
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Kevin McQuaid |
  • May 22, 2020
A new beginning in Florida

Nancy Erickson, a top retail broker with Colliers International in the New Jersey and New York areas, has relocated to Tampa to join the firm there.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • February 26, 2025
Architects focus on resiliency for new island fire station in Lee County

A Cape Coral firm designing a new fire house on Pine Island is looking to make sure it can withstand the worst of hurricanes and keep firefighters on site during storms.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • November 18, 2024
Naples firm invests $14M in newspapers, buys 5% stake in Dallas Morning News

The beleaguered newspaper industry has been written off by many — including Warren Buffett. Naples billionaire David Hoffmann, with a quixotic bent, believes the industry is ripe for a comeback.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
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