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Southwest Florida Business Briefs - March 2006
? The volume of high-rise sales at the Bonita Bay Group nearly doubled last year, with 110 sales totaling $133 million compared to $79.5 million in 2004.
CLEARWATER --
? EarthWorks Environmental, which makes high-tech soil remediation equipment, is relocating from Sacramento, Calif., to Clearwater. Twenty employees will make the move.
? Developer Uday Lele announced plans for a $200-million, 90-unit beachfront high-rise project called Enchantment.
FORT MYERS --
? The Ginn Co. has contributed $2.5 million toward construction of a school of engineering building at Florida Gulf Coast University. Also, FGCU has signed an agreement with Nankai University in Balitai, China, to offer joint business degrees, create executive programs and launch an Institute for Chinese Studies.
LAKELAND --
? Publix Super Markets will add low-cost healthcare clinics at some of its stores later this year through a partnership with The Little Clinic. The chain also plans to test an in-store Carrabba's Italian Grill takeout restaurant in one of its Sarasota stores this summer.
SARASOTA --
? Charles Brown, former CEO of Charlotte State Bank and Englewood Bank, is joining Tim Clarke, Sam Norton and Mike Pender to start a community bank in Sarasota. Clarke, Norton and Pender were founding directors of Sarasota Bank, which was sold two years ago. They plan to raise between $15 million and $20 million for their new venture and open their first office downtown by the end of the year.
TAMPA --
? Sterling American Property, a New York-based real estate investment fund, has purchased the 36-story Park Plaza office building, also known as the Lykes building, and will renovate the downtown structure.
? The University of South Florida College of Nursing launched the state's first doctorate of nursing practice program this year, allowing nurses who want to practice, teach or manage at the profession's highest level an alternative to traditional research-oriented doctorates.
? Busch Gardens is extending free admission for members of the military and their families through 2006.
? Wells Real Estate Investment purchased Tampa Commons, a 13-story office building on North Dale Mabry Highway in the Westshore business district, for $41.9 million.
WINTER HAVEN --
? City officials have approved plans to sell 1,250 acres to CSX Corp. for $21.8 million for a transportation hub the rail company plans to build. Plans call for 3 million square feet of warehouses, 1.5 million square feet of industrial space and 500,000 square feet of offices. Local officials have estimated the center could spin off as many as 8,000 jobs.
