Arcadia —
» Florida Power & Light has started work on the first commercial-scale solar photovoltaic power facility in Florida. Due to be operational by the end of the year, the plant will use 90,000 photovoltaic panels to generate enough electricity to power 3,000 homes.
Ave Maria —?
» The Ave Maria Gallery and History Exhibit has opened downtown. Apart from a tribute to the late Pope John Paul II, the gallery will exhibit historical items relating to Tom Monaghan, the town’s founder.
Bartow —?
» Polk County commissioners approved a revised landscape ordinance that encourages low-volume irrigation, mulch and other water-saving measures.
Bradenton —?
» Sleek Audio, an earphone manufacturer, expects to create 15 jobs this year.
Clearwater —
» The Church of Scientology has reopened the historic Fort Harrison building downtown following a $40-million renovation. The one-time hotel will be used as a retreat.
Hillsborough County —?
» The new Medical Examiner Complex opened with room for 150 cadavers, compared to just 40 at the old facility.
» Hillsborough Community College received a $1.68-million grant to train students in auto mechanics and repair.
Land O’Lakes —
» University Community Health has opened a $21-million, 50-bed hospital in the Connerton community.
Manatee County —?
» Manatee Community College has won state approval to begin offering a bachelor’s degree in nursing, the school’s first four-year degree.
Naples —?
» Since January, the Naples Municipal Airport has cut more than 30% of its workforce.
Polk County —
» The school district has received a $1.3-million grant to implement programs to help ease the transition from middle school to high school.
Punta Gorda —?
» The Charlotte County Airport has been awarded $2.5 million in stimulus funds from the Federal Aviation Administration. The money will be used to improve the main ramp.
Sarasota —
» GPS Industries of Canada has moved its headquarters to Sarasota County, where it employs 21. The company designs and markets global positioning systems and wi-fi networks.
St. Petersburg —
» The University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science has launched the $2.1-million research vessel “R/V WeatherBird II,” a 115-foot, 300-ton ship equipped with high-tech devices and sensors designed to study the ocean’s biological, chemical, geological and physical characteristics.
Tampa —
» Construction is under way on the Glazer Children’s Museum downtown. It is expected to open in spring 2010.
» Tampa International Airport will get $8 million in federal stimulus money. The grant will partially fund a $52-million project to rebuild a taxiway between the two main runways.
» OneTouch Direct, a call center operator, plans to hire up to 400 workers by June.
» Data center operator Peak 10 more than doubled its Tampa operations after opening a 15,400-sq.-ft. facility.