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Northeast Fla., Jacksonville Business Briefs - Jan. 2010
AMELIA ISLAND —
» Amelia Island Co., the company that owns and operates the 1,350-acre oceanfront resort Amelia Island Plantation, is seeking to reorganize under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
GAINESVILLE —
» The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for a Competitive Workforce gave Gainesville its 2009 Region of Excellence Award for its “sustained, collaborative approach to economic development through education and workforce development.” Chamber officials say they were most impressed with the regional TEAM (Targeted Economic Achievement Machine) model that has the business community working directly with educators and other government sectors.
» The University of Florida signed an agreement with Virginia-based G4i Consulting to help its incubator companies land government contracts. David Day, director of UF’s Office of Technology Licensing, says the partnership represents a big shift in how universities commercialize research. In this economy, it’s no longer enough to just grant the spinoff company a license. Universities now see it as part of their job to help make the companies profitable. As part of the agreement, G4i plans an office in UF’s new, 45,000-sq.-ft. incubator, the Florida Innovation Hub.
 JACKSONVILLE — Firehouse Subs announced plans to open 125 restaurants in Chicago. The chain, founded by firefighter brothers Robin (left) and Chris Sorensen, has grown from 30 locations in 2000 to 373 today. [Photo: Daryl Bunn] |
JACKSONVILLE —
» Deutsche Bank announced it is adding 250 jobs to its operations center in Jacksonville, where the German bank employs more than 600.
» Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida reduced its workforce by another 150 this winter. Jacksonville-based Blue Cross had already trimmed its ranks from about 7,000 in 2008 to 6,000 in 2009.
» Swine flu helped push PSS World Medical to record profits in the second quarter, increasing income from operations by 58% to $38.6 million. The Jacksonville-based medical products distributor says it got a $23-million boost from H1N1-related product sales to physician offices.
» Coral Gables-based CC Duval Property bought Tison’s Landing subdivision on Jacksonville’s Northside in foreclosure and renamed the project “Yellow Bluff.” Armando Codina and Jim Carr will take over development of 680 lots.
» The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency chose Jacksonville as one of 10 cities it will target in a $1-million national initiative to address environmental challenges. EPA will work with low-income neighborhoods near Superfund sites, brownfields and vacant and abandoned lots to help residents collaborate with developers and revitalize neighborhoods.
NEPTUNE BEACH —
» Regency Centers broke ground at Seminole Shoppes, the first large retail development in the Neptune/Atlantic Beach area in more than 25 years.
NEWBERRY —
» The small town west of Gainesville opened an Olympic-sized archery center. Local officials hope the Easton-Newberry Sports Complex becomes host to national and international competitions and a training spot for top archers.
