SPOTLIGHT

Tampa Bay Watch, a non-profit focused on marine and wetland environments of the Tampa Bay estuary, is launching Shells for Shorelines, a recycling program that turns discarded oyster shells from restaurants into reefs. The shells are collected from participating restaurants, cleaned and cured. After, the shells are placed into vertical bags and returned to the estuary, where they become new reefs or help rejuvenate declining habitats.

Reefs made from oyster shells naturally mitigate erosion and become a sanctuary for marine species, the organization says. The reefs also contribute to water filtration, resulting in clearer water and flourishing seagrasses.

Seven restaurants along the Gulf of Mexico participated in a pilot program that launched in February 2022. By simply asking restaurants to toss the shells into a five-gallon bucket instead of the trash, Tampa Bay Watch has collected 102,000 pounds of recyclable shells.

“Being part of the Shells for Shorelines program has not only been an eye-opening experience for us but also for our staff and customers,” says Josh Cameron, the owner and operator of the Oyster Bar in St. Petersburg. “It’s inspiring to see how a simple act — like saving oyster shells — can have such a profound impact on the health of Tampa Bay.”

RETAIL

• Chico’s FAS (NYSE: CHS), a women’s clothing retailer that opened in Sanibel in 1983 and is headquartered in Fort Myers, will be acquired for $1 billion by Sycamore Partners, a New York-based private equity firm. Upon completion of the transaction at the end of the first quarter of 2024, Chico’s FAS, which also includes brands White House Black Market and Soma, will become a privately held company. Sycamore’s retail portfolio consists of Ann Taylor, Lane Bryant, LOFT and Talbots. About 1,500 are employed at Chico’s Florida headquarters; neither company elaborated on workforce plans.

TECHNOLOGY

• Dynabyte, a Sweden-based software company under the QGroup, has chosen St. Petersburg as the location of its U.S headquarters. The company creates software systems for large companies that include Ikea and Spotify.

CYBERSECURITY

• Israeli company Cybecs is opening a regional headquarters in Tampa. The company plans to create 150 jobs over the next few years. “We continue to see interest from not only technology companies but also international companies choosing Tampa to launch or expand their U.S. operations,” says Angel Gonzalez, chair of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council and regional president of SouthState Bank.

TRANSPORTATION

• The University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research has been awarded a $17-million grant to address rail company worker shortages through outreach, internships, technical training and the promotion of rail research careers. The grant is funded by the Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement program.

HOUSING

• Bonita Bay Club will turn a former sales building into a 22-room housing facility for workers. The housing will support seasonal workers who have historically rented off site but can no longer afford to live in the area.

HIGHER EDUCATION

• Florida Polytechnic University is naming its research building the Barnett Applied Research Center in recognition of Carol Jenkins Barnett, the late daughter of Publix founder George Jenkins, her husband Barney Barnett and their sons, Wesley and Nick Barnett. The family has donated more than $10 million to the university over the years.
• The University of South Florida’s Corporate Training and Professional Education unit and Total NIL are launching an online certificate program for student athletes and others who want to learn more about name, image and likeness opportunities. The $495 program focuses on defining the athletes’ brands, maximizing social media and understanding NIL deals.

IN MEMORIAM

“You’ve got to build relationships, and you’ve got to deliver. Talk is cheap. Delivering is sometimes more complicated.”

Mel Sembler, the legendary Florida shopping center developer, political fundraiser and ambassador to Australia and Italy, reflecting on his approach to both business and politics in a 2019 Tampa Bay Times profile. He died in October at the age of 93.