BONITA SPRINGS —
» WCI Communities (NYSE-WCI) is trimming its staff by 575.

» Bonita Springs-based Source Interlink Co. and American Media Inc. reportedly are close to signing a merger deal. American Media publishes the Star and the National Enquirer. Source Interlink’s magazines include Motor Trend and Soap Opera Digest.

BRADENTON —
» Bealls has opened a new headquarters in east Bradenton and is looking for a
new president to lead an expansion of the company’s
retail division.

COLLIER COUNTY —
» EnVont, a nanotech research and development company, is moving its headquarters and research facilities from Michigan to Collier County.

MANATEE COUNTY —
» Hi-Stat Manufacturing is closing its Manatee County plant and firing 300 employees.

ST. PETERSBURG —
» The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command awarded SRI International a $36.5-million, five-year contract to design a new port security system.

TAMPA —
» TECO Energy is selling its shipping business to an investment group for $405 million to pay for out-of-state power plants and failed investments.