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Central Fla., Space Coast Business Briefs - Nov. 2009
Brevard County — Parrish Medical Center in Titusville is seeking a partnership with Wuesthoff Health System in Rockledge.
» A handful of Florida middle and high school students will work on projects that help scientists study how crews will live and work on Mars. Space Florida, NASA, Kennedy Space Center and the state Department of Education Florida will announce the results this month of a competition that encouraged students to design experiments. The winning junior scientists will interact with NASA engineers.
Orange County/Orlando — The new Burnham Institute for Medical Research at Lake Nona has partnered with Duke University in North Carolina to research personalized medicine. Duke’s Stedman Center laboratory is establishing a branch at Burnham where the two organizations will use metabolic profiling and metabolic technologies to study diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other illnesses. Meanwhile, Burnham officially opened its diabetes and obesity research center in October.
» Privately held Orlando pest control company Massey Services is purchasing Deerfield Beach-based Sunair Services (AMEX-SNR), the parent company of its main competitor, Middleton Lawn and Pest Control. The combined company — Massey with $77 million in annual sales and Middleton at $57 million — will become the fifth-largest pest management company in North America.
» AirTran Airways plans to start non-stop service between Orlando and Key West on Dec. 17.
» Dallas-based Digital Risk, which provides risk mitigation products for the mortgage industry, has expanded its operations in Orlando, adding 240 jobs and retaining more than 260. The company has also committed to invest at least $1.2 million in additional equipment, research and development.
» Gen2Media, a digital media, technology and marketing company with clients that include Microsoft Xbox and Coca-Cola, expanded its headquarters and plans to add 40 jobs in the next three years.
» BioTraits biometric technology company has launched a new product, PC-ID, that grants access to online accounts and files based on the individual’s clearance level by verifying identity through biometrics such as fingerprints.
» Transportation planning firm Data Transfer Solutions in Avalon Park has been awarded government contracts in Colorado, Montana, Washington state and California.
» University of Central Florida researchers have received a $1.3-million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study whether downtown Orlando programs are helping people become more physically active. The programs target older adults and low-income minority families.
» The University Club of Orlando launched a Young Executive Society for aspiring young professionals.
» Foreclosure proceedings have begun on 55 West, a new high-rise condominium at the former Church Street Station.
Osceola County — The county’s school district has partnered with Nemours to start the children’s hospital system’s BrightStart! early literacy program in pre-kindergarten classes. The program identifies at-risk children and aims to elevate their reading skills.
Seminole County — Seminole Community College renamed itself Seminole State College of Florida in September because it now offers four-year degrees.
» Seattle-based Pinnacle AMS, which manages apartment, office and industrial complexes, plans to add 50 employees in the next two years
to its current workforce of 160 in Seminole County and 5,000 nationwide, company executives announced.
» Laser Photonics, which develops high-tech fiber and CO2 laser systems for manufacturing operations, has expanded its Lake Mary headquarters and added 72 jobs.
Volusia County — Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has introduced a program that uses virtual technology to train students in piloting unmanned aircraft as an alternative to actually flying drone planes in Daytona Beach’s airspace.
