Page 623 – 83 Degrees Media

Hillsborough County Courthouse Installs Solar Panels, Downtown Tampa

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July 13, 2010

The Hillsborough County courthouse is going solar.Two hundred solar panels were recently delivered to the roof of the courthouse at 419 Pierce St. in downtown Tampa. The panels will supply 40 to 60 percent of the building's energy load and save more than 322,000 kilowatt/hour hours in power. This translates to more than $60,000 in annual energy savings and a 262.5-ton reduction in CO2 emissions.The installation is part of a large alternative energy project Hillsborough County adopted last year, which has been funded by a federal stimulus grant. Each panel is 18 feet long, 15 inches wide and 4 millimeters thick. The panels together will cover 40,000 square feet of the courthouse roof and are expected to be installed and working by the end of this August.The project is one of the larger of its kind in the country to date and the largest for a downtown metropolitan area. Other projects in the Tampa Bay region include a solar photovoltaic system on the Tax Collector building on Falkenburg Road, the roof of the gymnasium at the All People's Life Center, energy-saving lighting for both the Orient Road Jail and the country warehouse buildings on Falkenburg Road, as well as other projects.The federal government set aside $2.7 billion for Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grants through the U.S. Department of Energy as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The program is designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions by governments around the nation. Courthouse Solar Photovoltaic Project received $7,665,200 this past year.Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Randy Klindworth, Hillsborough County

Tervis Tumbler Expands In Venice In Sarasota County, Plans To Add 80 Jobs

By Mandy Erfourth

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Innovation

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July 13, 2010

Tervis Tumbler Company of Sarasota plans to expand to Venice, adding 80 jobs by the end of 2010 to meet growing demand for its popular drinkware products.In south Sarasota County since the 1960s, Tervis Tumbler will thus bring its total employees up to 400.The new 40,700-square-feet building in Venice should be ready to occupy during the first quarter of 2011.The Tervis Tumbler Company manufactures insulated double-walled cups and glasses that keep hot drinks hotter and cold drinks cooler longer.Tervis products can be purchased on the company website and at 6,000 retail outlets across the country.Tervis is also adding new products and designs to their inventory, including new drinkware decorated in Disney characters.To keep up with the new product line, Tervis will be expanding its sales and marketing departments.Sarasota County is awarding Tervis $100,000 over the next three years as a performance-based incentive grant for the 214 jobs added.The grant requires Tervis to pay employee annual wages greater than the county average.To search for current openings at Tervis Tumbler, visit the company website.Writer: Mandy ErfourthSource: Kim Livengood, Tervis Tumbler

IdeaField Coworking Expands In Ybor City For Solo Creatives, Techies

By Nancy Vaughn

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Diversity

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July 13, 2010

Freelance professionals, sole proprietors and entrepreneurs launching new businesses know what it's like to be a lone ranger. Even though their trusty, furry companion with four legs may be an "official member of the team," the value of human interaction is irreplaceable. For this reason, IdeaField Coworking may be an the ideal spot for creative think-tanking and human interaction.Launched by Ken Evans and Daniel Davie in 2008, IdeaField began with impromptu co-working sessions at a coffee house in Tampa Heights. They've since become a fully operational network, with new office space in Ybor City. Davie is the president of Marketing Left and Right, an advertising and marketing firm, and Evans is a technology entrepreneur.IdeaField Coworking moved into larger offices in Ybor City to meet growing demand for the concept. The new location at 1911 N. 19th St. opened on July 1."We've gotten a lot of support from the Ybor community, which is great," says Davie. "We're excited because it's an opportunity for us to set an anchor for our community, for creative and innovative business to get done."IdeaField offers a desk, wifi access, free coffee and a collaborative, supportive environment for anyone who opts to work there.Recognizing that Tampa Bay has a strong freelance community, IdeaField provides a little more support to those solopreneurs, who may one day run very large corporations as their businesses grow.Ideafield's philosophy is that great ideas can come from anyone, anytime, anywhere so all are welcome. If someone can take advantage of a space like IdeaField, Davie says they are encouraged to drop by anytime. The collaborative workspace provides an option to interact with peers on your own time, or to work in solitude and just have the presence of other human beings in the room.Fridays are free at IdeaField, so it's a perfect time to visit the offices and experience if it's the right environment. Plus, first-time drop-ins are always free on any day.For more information, visit IdeaField. Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: Daniel David and Ken Evans, IdeaField

Medical Device Company Oscor Expands To Palm Harbor, Adds 70 New Jobs

By Mandy Erfourth

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Health

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July 13, 2010

Oscor Inc., a medical device manufacturer that has been increasing research over the last three years, is now expanding to Palm Harbor and bringing 70 new high-paying jobs to the Tampa Bay region. Pinellas County won out as the location for Oscor Inc.'s expansion over Minneapolis. Oscor not only researches new medical devices, it also designs, develops, manufactures and markets them too. The company produces specialized implantable cardiac pacing leads, venuous access systems and diagnostic catheters, and sells them in more than 35 countries. New medical devices undergoing research include: the Angios Catheters, Adelante Introducers Series, and a new line of interventional coronary and peripheral vascular diagnostic catheters and introducer sheaths. Florida is helping make Oscor's expansion possible using state-funded programs like Qualified Target Industry. This program makes it possible for expansion by offsetting the cost for Oscor. The Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, Enterprise Florida, and Pinellas County with QTI help businesses in Florida bring high paying jobs with a high-skill level to Pinellas County. The companies receive tax incentives for every new job created. Pinellas won out because of its central Florida location, the pool of talent in the Tampa Bay region and available facilities. The 50,000-square-feet building picked for the expansion fits Oscor's needs and has a large section of land that the company plans to use for future expansion.To view current job openings at Oscor, visit the company website.Writer: Mandy ErfourthSource: Stacey Swank, Pinellas County Economic Development

PostcardMania Is Hiring For 2 Jobs In Tampa Bay: Marketing, Copywriting

By Mandy Erfourth

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Innovation

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July 13, 2010

Want to work for an industry leader in innovative postcard marketing? PostcardMania is looking to hire a junior copywriter and a marketing consultant in its Clearwater offices. The junior copywriter will be expected to design ads for print and the Web and create copy for in-house e-marking and news releases, collaborate with a creative team and write for multiple formats. Applicants must have one to two years of creative writing experience, knowledge of Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook, and strong writing, communication and organization skills. The applicant chosen must also be self-motivated. Familiarity with a PR writing style is also a bonus. PostcardMania is also looking for an experienced sales representative for its marketing consultant position. According to Ferris Stith, public relations and social media manager, PostcardMania receives on average 700 leads each week. The person hired as a marketing consultant will be expected to have phone and closing experience to keep up with the company's standards for responding to the leads. PostcardMania, a full-service direct mail marketing company, has been around since 1998 and has helped businesses across the country in 350 industries. Services provided include graphic design, printing, mailing list acquisition and mailing services. The company employs 150 and generated more than $18.5 million in revenue in 2007. PostcardMania has won many awards, including being recognized by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the USA."We have worked hard not to lay off anyone due to the economy and have been able to keep a steady range of employees," Stith says.Interested applicants may email Human Resource Manager Dianne Ruggerio at dianne@postcardmania.com. Writer: Mandy ErfourthSource: Ferris Stith, PostcardMania

Bartow Group Makes Strides To Save Historic Cigar Factory

By Matt Spencer

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Buzz

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July 13, 2010

The Thompson Cigar Factory, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002, has faced demolition for several years. The building, constructed in 1925, was the first mechanized cigar factory in Florida.Polk County commissioners voted 3-2 to demolish the building, citing a lack of room in the budget for the $2 million to $4 million refurbishment it would cost to repair the building.Supporters attempting to salvage the site were granted an additional four months from the Historic Architectural Review Board to raise the funds needed for repair.Read the complete story.

Manatee Students Earn Top Honors At Baltimore Tech Conference

By Matt Spencer

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Buzz

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July 13, 2010

A group of more than 120 students from nine Manatee area middle and high schools returned from the 32nd Annual Technology Student Association Conference in Baltimore with top honors. Overall, 23 first-, 11 second- and four third-place trophies were awarded to Manatee County teams -- including a sweep of first, second and third place from Manatee students in the balsa car dragster design competition.The Technology Student Association is a national student organization dedicated to the needs of students interested in studying STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).Read the complete story.

Competitive Grant Could Extend High-Speed Rail To TIA

By Matt Spencer

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Buzz

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July 13, 2010

Tampa City Council Member Mary Mulhern is pursuing a competitive federal grant aimed at developing high-speed corridors. The grant will likely be applied toward the expansion of the high-speed-rail project to include a stop at Tampa International Airport. The deadline for applications is Aug. 6. If future funding is available, the rail could be expanded to Miami by 2018, according to The Tampa Tribune. Read the complete story.

U.S House Bill Lifting Travel Ban To Cuba Gains Momentum

By Matt Spencer

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Buzz

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July 13, 2010

Cuba Standard reports that the U.S Chamber of Commerce, travel and agricultural organizations are showing support for a bill that could lift travel restrictions to Cuba which have lasted for almost 50 years.The bill, H.R 4645, would not only provided a boost for Cuba's economy, but has the potential to create $365 million in sales of American goods and create 6,000 jobs, according to a Texas A & M University study. Those jobs would result in a $1.1 billion economic impact for the U.S.Voting on the bill is expected to take place within the next month.Read the complete story.

Gourmet Organic And Natural Market Debuts In St. Petersburg

By Matt Spencer

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Buzz

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July 13, 2010

A new gourmet market and sandwich shop in St. Petersburg is bringing customers an intimate alternative to the super-stores and chain grocers dotting the Tampa Bay region. Messineo's Market in downtown St. Pete offers items from local and national suppliers including artisan bread, produce, dry goods, hormone-free and naturally raised chicken and beef, and fresh seafood.Owner Jim Mason hopes to eventually have online shopping available so customers will be able to place orders for sandwich and grocery delivery, according to Creative Loafing Tampa.Read the complete story.