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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Laura Lyon |
  • September 21, 2024
Tampa Bay tech startup hub announces fall accelerator cohorts

All businesses involved are local to the area and will participate in a showcase.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • September 3, 2025
Report: Severe weather, flooding puts billions in home values at risk in region

A new climate risk report finds that the nearly a quarter of the home value on Florida's Gulf Coast is at risk of major flood damage.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • September 28, 2025
Pennsylvania bank to acquire Sarasota financial firm

The parent company of Mid Penn Bank is acquiring Cumberland Advisors.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Norlee Group |
  • October 24, 2025
Norlee Group welcomes Beaumont Electric Company to the family!

At Norlee Group, growth is about shared values, expanded opportunities, and stronger connections.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
Sponsored Content
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • December 15, 2022
Pharmaceutical rep gets 4 years in prison for bribery scheme

A federal judge sentenced the 52-year-old, 10 days after his co-conspirator was sentenced, for paying a doctor “speaking fees” in exchange for prescribing drug containing fentanyl.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Anastasia Dawson |
  • January 9, 2026
Pinellas airport, with record passenger count, to build four-story garage

Last year saw a record 2.8 million passengers pass through St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, prompting county officials to approve spending on additional parking spaces.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • November 14, 2008
Coffee Talk

+ The first change:A run on gunsBusiness has soared in the past month and a half at Shoot Straight, a chain of Florida gun shops in Tampa, Casselberry and Apopka.+ The list no onewants to be onCoStar Group, the firm that tracks commercial real estate on the Gulf Coast, recently highlighted a list of the largest problem loans in the country.+ Global construction firmlikes local marketA Portuguese-based international construction giant is entering the Gulf Coast market - and thanks to the industry slump it's doing so at a heavy discount, by buying a $100 million Manatee County company for $33.7 million. + New retailers stillstream to the Gulf CoastIt may turn out to be a dreadful holiday shopping season, but that doesn't mean new retailers have given up on the Gulf Coast.+ Entrepreneur findsright market, right timeJohn Barry had no idea how clairvoyant he was three years ago when he set out to launch his own global bonds information business from Sarasota.+ Hurricane Charleynot ancient historyIt's been four years since Hurricane Charley blew through the Gulf Coast, but we are reminded of its lingering impacts on so many businesses even today. + Rebuilt, rebranded, reborn,renamed ChappellRobertsThe transfer of ownership and authority at Tampa's Roberts Communications finished going full circle this month.+ Going green goesthe world of GoogleJust when you thought you'd heard everything

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • April 16, 2021
Bankers seek to get foothold in medical marijuana industry

Most Florida banks avoid cannabis and related companies — given the obstacles and legal uncertainty. Others see opportunity in the mushrooming industry.

  • Finance
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Denise Federer |
  • March 13, 2020
How to Exit the Family Business — Without Exiting the Family

The family dynamic doesn't have to collapse when a family member departs a business.

  • Advice
  • 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 Adam Hughes |
  • July 6, 2006
No Gorillas

With a strategy of giving each unit an independent board, Bancshares of Florida has grown rapidly. And the directors of those boards share the wealth, so power isn't controlled by one player.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • August 25, 2006
It Takes a Team

A $3,000 loan sparked the idea for a company that generated more than $10 million in sales in its fourth year. Turns out, there's a hot market for used computer hardware that costs a fraction of its original retail price.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • April 1, 2005
Recipe for Growth

From 52 to 200 in three years, Rick Akam prepares the ingredients to grow the First Watch restaurant chain.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • 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 |
  • October 2, 2008
Saving the Jewels

Henricks Jewelers filed for bankruptcy reorganization in November.Despite intense pressures to liquidate the firm, its owners refused to walk away and emerged with a new plan this summer. It's a lesson in self-preservation.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • August 22, 2008
Coffee Talk

+ Beall's to ring the bellfor a new battleSteve Knopik, chief executive officer of Bradenton-based retailer Beall's, is finally talking about the K-word.+ Gulf Coast builders' grouplooks to hire new leaderThe Gulf Coast Builders Exchange, a prominent lobbying and networking group for contractors, builders and developers in Sarasota and Bradenton, is looking for a new leader after severing ties with longtime Executive Director Jay Brady.+ Wiregrass bucksretailing trendAt a time when many retailers are slowing down or stopping expansion, and when some developers are delaying retail construction, The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel is bucking the trend.+ Opus also hopesto buck retail trendAs Wiregrass continues to lease up its retail space, the Tampa office of Opus South is quietly planning a $160 million retail development of its own, in Tampa's Westshore area.+ Need to cut costs?Check your assessmentTampa attorney Jim Soble offers a reminder for chief executives and chief financial officers at this time of year: Check the assessed value of your property. + CorrectionA real estate brief in the Review's Aug. 8 issue contained an incorrect name. It should have read: "The purchase entity Seaside Resort Holdings LLC mortgaged the Seaside Inn & Resort to 1st Manatee Bank for $2.36 million."

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jay Brady |
  • November 19, 2009
Empty Promise

By next year, $19 billion is projected to have been spent to fully implement class size reduction in Florida since 2003, despite a lack of quantifiable evidence to support the policy.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • March 11, 2011
The right moves

DeAngelis Diamond Construction is one of the few commercial builders that managed to grow revenues last year.

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Kevin McQuaid |
  • August 7, 2020
Developer Edge Central pushing ahead with St. Petesburg police headquarters project

Following a COVID-19-inspired delay, the former St. Petersburg police headquarters is now poised for an $80 million, mixed-use redevelopment.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • June 28, 2019
Contractor company now at Southwest Florida's Beck and call

With one market tapped out for growth opportunity, a builder and home services firm with a storied history boldly seeks new territory. Beck Companies is headed into a crowded space.

  • Strategies
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