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Northeast Florida Business Briefs - Nov 2006
ALACHUA COUNTY -- Gainesville-based engineering consulting firm Jones Edmunds & Associates was selected to provide civil/environmental design and other professional services for NASA's Constellation program, a new space exploration project.
? Central Florida rancher Charlie Mack Overstreet donated $3 million to the University of Florida to establish the C.M. Overstreet Retinal Eye Disease Research Fund to help find a cure for macular degeneration.
FLAGLER COUNTY -- Favoretta Investment Group I purchased 1,270 acres of undeveloped land for $15.4 million. The company says it doesn't have any immediate plans to develop the land, which is located three miles west of U.S. Hwy. 1.
JACKSONVILLE -- The Jacksonville Aviation Authority received a $12-million grant from the Federal Aviation Authority for construction of aprons around two concourses that are being expanded.
? Baptist Medical Center South has completed a $9-million expansion, increasing inpatient capacity by 25%. The project includes two surgery suites, four ICU beds and 24 inpatient beds.
? Rayonier purchased 176,000 acres of timberland in upstate New York, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama and Louisiana for $160 million from GMO Renewable Resources.
? Gate Properties, the real estate arm of Gate Petroleum Co., purchased the Jensen Civil Construction facility for $6 million.
? Valdosta, Ga.-based Park Avenue Bank opened its fi rst branch in October and plans to add at least three others in the next three years.
? The First Bank of Jacksonville opened its fi rst fullservice branch in October.
? Maitlandbased Tower Realty Partners purchased the Exchange South Office Park for $15.6 million.
? Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida landed a four-year, $91-million contract to manage the state's employee health insurance plan, which covers about 106,000 workers and retirees.
? TNT Logistics was sold to Apollo Management, an international private equity fi rm, for $2 billion.
? Florida Coastal School of Law opened a new campus on Baypine Road this fall.
NASSAU COUNTY -- The county approved the Three Rivers project, a 1,641-acre development including 3,200 homes and 750,000 square feet of commercial space west of I-95 between Callahan and Yulee.
NEPTUNE BEACH -- City officials have rejected plans for a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter.
PUTNAM COUNTY -- Clay Ranch, a 2,400- acre site located next to the Palatka-Lake Butler state trail, was added to the Florida Forever land acquisition list.
ST. JOHNS COUNTY -- Flagler Hospital purchased 60 acres near the World Golf Village, where it plans to build a 288-bed facility.
? Dixie Development Group has started construction on the 9.3-acre Golf Park Center, a $20-million offi ce park, the latest addition to the World Commerce Center at World Golf Village. Dixie also plans to build a $50-million, 19-acre sports complex as part of a mixed-use development called St. Johns Crossing.
