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Monday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida to open ‘Blue Economy’ Office to study, develop ocean business opportunities
Florida boasts the second most shoreline miles in the nation, and the state is opening a new Office to look into how businesses here can most profitably — and healthily — capitalize on its ocean resources. Among other things, the Office will romote Florida as the premier destination for ocean-related economic and educational interests. More from Florida Politics.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Game changer
Catalyst Healthcare Real Estate, a Pensacola-based investment firm, recently announced a partnership with Florida State University to develop an FSU Football Operations Facility. Construction began in December on the $138-million, 150,000-sq.-ft. building that will house a locker room, weight training room and space for hydrotherapy treatment and equipment. More from Florida Trend.
Sarasota EDC to mark 20-year anniversary
The Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County is celebrating its 20th anniversary in May during its annual Economic Outlook breakfast event, scheduled for Thursday, May 16. The event, in addition to a special 20th anniversary presentation that highlights the journey of how the EDC of Sarasota County came to be and where the organization is headed, includes a panel of industry experts. More from the Business Observer.
How Red Lobster's financial turmoil led to reports of bankruptcy, sale
Orlando-based Red Lobster Hospitality LLC — once a Darden restaurant and founded in Lakeland in 1968 by Bill Darden — is in financial trouble. Red Lobster's recently-hired CEO, Jonathan Tibus, has developed a reputation in the restaurant industry as a turnaround strategist. His resume includes work with several firms owning restaurant chains — like Quizno’s, Krystal and Chevy's Fresh Mex — as they moved through the bankruptcy and reorganization process. More from the Orlando Business Journal.
With record growth, PBIA has big ideas for expansion, with car-rental center, third hotel
The skies over Palm Beach International Airport are busier than ever, but it’s on the ground where changes may be most evident in the future. Some of them, like modest hikes in airport public parking rates and a multimillion issuance of bonds, could take effect this year. Others, such as construction of a third hotel and a large centralized car rental center near the airport, are conceptual and years away from taking flight. More from the Palm Beach Post.
Business Profile
How many businesses does the Hoffmann family of Naples own? Here's a look
The Naples-based Hoffmann Family of Cos. owns a dizzying number of businesses, or what it calls brands. It's still looking to acquire more. One of the latest targets? Oberweis Dairy, a legacy, family-owned business in Illinois. The Hoffmanns want to buy it out of bankruptcy, but they're up against another bidder.
» More from the Naples Daily News.
Out of the Box
Want to be a Hollywood stuntman? Clearwater now has a school.
David Siracusa on a mission to change the local movie landscape. Siracusa has opened K75 Stunt Academy in Clearwater. Three nights a week at the 7,500-square-foot facility, students work on skills like choreographed hand-to-hand combat, sword and gun fights. They use dull blades and toy guns for safety. They also practice how to fall and how to be pulled backwards by cables that mimic being thrown from an explosion.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.
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