Disaster relief available for Florida small businesses, private nonprofits affected by winter weather
Low interest federal disaster loans are available for small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Florida who sustained economic losses caused by frost and freeze occurring Jan. 23 - Feb. 5. The loans, via the U.S. Small Business Administration, may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster. More from WGCU.
Tampa-based XTEND begins $8M drone deliveries to Middle East
XTEND, the defense technology company that opened its U.S. headquarters and manufacturing operation in Tampa last year, has begun delivering tactical drone systems under a defense contract valued at up to $25 million. JFB said Monday that XTEND completed the first delivery under an initial $8 million contract with a government defense customer in the Middle East. More from the Tampa Bay Business & Wealth.
New sleep rooms at Miami airport give tired travelers a break
Exhausted travelers going through the Miami airport now have their own place to catch some ZZZs, and they don’t even have to leave the airport terminal. Fifteen rooms with beds were rolled out in early February in the north terminal, near Gate D15 and in front of the Admirals Club. Tired travelers or those waiting for delayed flights will have to pay to get some shuteye. Prices range from $40 to $245 depending on the number of people and length of stay. More from the Miami Herald.
GE Aerospace investing $3 million at its Jacksonville facility
GE Aerospace announced it is investing $3 million in its Unison facility in Jacksonville, where it builds ignition systems and other equipment for commercial and military aircraft. “This investment helps us to improve delivery, with the safety, quality, and reliability our customers need. We are all in on U.S. manufacturing, Jacksonville, and our customers,” Steve Grimm, site leader in Jacksonville, said. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Sanford hopes new amphitheater will draw more events to historic downtown
Nearly every city in Central Florida has an outdoor area where residents and visitors can spread out a blanket and watch a show. Winter Park has its Central Park. Orlando has its Lake Eola. Longwood has its Reiter Park. Now Sanford, one of the oldest cities in Central Florida, has launched its own nearly $6 million renovation of Fort Mellon Park that will add a new bandshell overlooking Lake Monroe. Over the past two decades, Sanford has already invested millions of dollars in turning its downtown into a vibrant spot for visitors. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Profile
Construction leader among women building Southwest Florida
From assistant project manager to an operations performance leader powering AI-driven construction, Corina Castellano is building Southwest Florida. Suffolk construction company is honoring Corina Castellano, an operations performance manager whose career reflects the growing influence of women shaping construction’s future.
» More from Florida Weekly.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Private practice
Private equity-backed, Celebration-based Cardiovascular Associates of America — CVA/USA — was founded in December 2021 and acquired its first Florida practice in 2022. Of its 450 cardiologists nationally, 190 are in Florida in 13 groups acquired in Southeast Florida, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Ocala, The Villages, Orlando and Tampa Bay. Annually, they treat approximately 550,000 patients. Nationally, the company expects to top $1 billion in revenue this year. (That’s north of $2 million per physician.)
» Read more from Florida Trend.