Page 646 – 83 Degrees Media

Sarasota Construction Company Boosts Industry And Arts

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Arts

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April 13, 2010

Holland Construction has devised its own economic stimulus package, called an EF-10, which allows companies with strong credit to choose their own construction financing arrangements, defer fees or establish their own ownership or equity position for a project. "Although we detect a loosening of the equity markets, obtaining adequate financing remains a key obstacle in the initiation and completion of many construction projects," says CEO Joe Holland. "We believe the EF-10 program will offer an attractive and compelling solution to certain companies, and allow them to move forward with their plans. Our ability to successfully implement this plan will benefit end-users, the subcontractor industry and the overall business economy in our local markets." Craig Campbell, vice president of Holland's Florida office, says Holland Construction isn't acting as a financier on every project. "In some cases, yes, we are," he explains. "In other cases, we'll bring in a partner. In other cases, we'll use a bank. It really depends on the deal and what is going on at the time. I don't want to create the perception that we're a bank, because we're not. It's a case-by-case situation based on what's best for us and the person we're working with." Campbell says that three companies are currently negotiating with Holland for projects that would take advantage of the EH-10 offer. Two of the companies are in Southwest Florida. Holland Construction also is currently working on a renovation of the Robert and Beverly Koski Production Center for the Asolo Theater. The Center's campus, located at 1009 Tallevast Road in Manatee County, contains approximately 45,000 square feet of space used for production facilities, set building and costumes and prop collections. The project will provide 12 new jobs during construction, which will be completed in summer 2010. BMK Architects of Sarasota is designing the renovation. Holland also is building a law office on Manatee Boulevard.Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Craig Campbell, Holland Construction

Mining Magnate Mosaic Opens Headquarters East Of Tampa

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Development News

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April 13, 2010

Mosaic officially opened its new headquarters at 13830 Circa Crossing Drive in Lithia, east of Tampa, on Friday, April 9, with Gov. Charlie Crist in attendance. The company, which specializes in mining nutrient materials, recently moved 400 employees into the new building that is expected to achieve LEED Gold certification due to its energy-saving components. Russell Schweiss, a Mosaic spokesperson, says that the new building achieved the Gold LEED rating by including a reflective roof, a 95 percent use of natural light, rainwater irrigation, incentives for fuel-efficient cars and a bike-friendly environment that encourages and supports riding bicycles to work. The building is situated near the Fishhawk communities in east Hillsborough County, and consolidates multiple Mosaic offices that already exist in Hillsborough and Polk counties. According to Schweiss, the $20 million construction project created hundreds of construction jobs and increased activity for several local businesses, including DaSilva's Coffeehouse, Jet's Pizza and Franks and Subs. In addition, Mosaic donated $100,000 to the Fishhawk Youth Sports Complex. "We recognize the importance of investing in our communities," says Schweiss, "and will continue to make these commitments. We plan to announce a significant new commitment in conjunction with the Tampa Bay Rays at the opening on April 9." Mosaic is headquartered in Minnesota and specializes in mining potash and nitrogen. Its Florida operations focus on phosphate, a material the agricultural industry values for its fertilizing capabilities.Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Russell Schweiss, Mosaic

Uncorking The Canal: Flowing Goods From Asia Through Panama To Port Manatee And Eastern U.S.

By Jessi Smith

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General

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April 13, 2010

Port Manatee makes big expansion plans in preparation for the upcoming widening of the Panama Canal and the potential for increased trade through Florida with Asia and Latin America. What's in it for the greater Tampa Bay region?

USF Business Students Soar To Top Of Regions Bank In Tampa To Hone Elevator Speeches

By Matt Spencer

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General

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April 13, 2010

Does your elevator speech communicate what you want? USF College of Business students practice making a terrific first impression in the second annual elevator speech competition, which helps them "sell'' themselves to prospective employers in less than a minute. Ride along with Matt Spencer and 83 Degrees to get creative ideas and feel the tension in different approaches designed to score in today's competitive job market.

Sarasota, Gainesville Innovators Go High-Tech To Detect Clean Hands

By Nancy Vaughn

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Health

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April 13, 2010

The HyGreen Intelligent Hand Hygiene System, a tripartite defense against Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI), has been selected as a winner in the 2010 Medical Design Excellence Awards competition.Xhale Innovations, Inc., a subsidiary of Xhale, Inc. with corporate headquarters in Gainesville, teamed up with ROBRADY of Sarasota to make this award-winning device. "Choosing ROBRADY has been one of the best decisions we've made," says Richard Allen, chief executive officer of Xhale. "They did an outstanding job of helping us with ideation, and integrated the design concepts with customer-driven ergonomics and our unique engineering requirements."What's the big deal? Let's start with the device can help eliminate the spread of germs, which is critical in a hospital environment. According to the Centers for Disease Control, HAI is the fourth-leading disease killer behind cancer, heart disease and stroke. The HyGreen Intelligent Hand Hygiene System uses vapor technology that alerts patients and staff about unclean hands. "It's a real intelligent system, but it's also a non-encumbering system," says Rob Brady, CEO and design director for ROBRADY. "The hospital now has a literal way of tracking to make sure that people are abiding by CDC standards for handwashing. It's a great tool for measuring because the hospital can show the data, and the insurance company that governs the hospital can be assured that the hospital is living up to compliance."The medical industry is the first to see this type of device, but it has great potential for the restaurant industry and other businesses that consider cleanliness a critical component of their mission.The MDEA is one of the most prestigious awards in the medical device industry, and this year will mark the second year that ROBRADY has won an award. A formal presentation will be made June 9 in New York City to Jeff Nichols, program manager for the HyGreen project and Steve MacFarlane, lead mechanical designer.Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: Rob Brady, ROBRADY

Coastal Caisson In Pasco County Seeks Construction Workers, Engineers

By Brad Stager

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General

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April 13, 2010

What you can see above ground in a major construction project, such as a shopping center, apartment building or a bridge, reveals only part of a builder's concerns. That's because differences in soil composition, water saturation and the potential for hazards like sinkholes and underground swamps can make the quest for a solid base to build upon an arduous one. Likewise, for Coastal Caisson, a Pasco County company situated north of Tampa that seeks skilled workers to serve the deep foundation construction market in the southeastern United States.The company employs a wide range of workers, including engineers and skilled technicians, to help provide foundation solutions for industrial, commercial, residential and government construction projects. "We're always looking for mechanics and laborers, but we're also looking to fill some skilled and professional positions like engineers and project managers," says Tiffany Wind, human resources manager. Qualified individuals include site safety officers, site superintendents and project estimators. The abilities to read schematics and to multitask are particularly valued, she says. The company normally employs about 150 people, depending on the workload. Wind says Coastal Caisson stays busy with projects in the Tampa Bay region and elsewhere, such as installing ductile-driven piles at the Bella Sol condominiums in Apollo Beach and helping widen Interstate 95 in Brunswick, GA. "We hire locally and travel with our workers so the jobs stay in Pasco County," says Wind. She also says Coastal Caisson likes to promote from within as a way to help the company grow and keep expertise. Writer: Brad StagerSource: Tiffany Wind, Coastal Caisson

Sarasota Company Gives Entrepreneurs Chance To Clean Up

By Brad Stager

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Entrepreneurship

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April 13, 2010

Cleanliness is one established means to health and comfort, and, in the case of Cleaning Butlers of Sarasota, it's also a possible means to wealth. Or at least a steady income. Lynne Dowd started Cleaning Butlers of Sarasota last May after working for another cleaning company. Cleaning Butlers serves a variety of clients including medical offices, factories, auto dealerships and day care centers as well as homes in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Business has been good enough that Cleaning Butlers is offering opportunities to other people who want to clean up financially by becoming a franchise owner. Dowd emphasizes that prospective franchisees need to commit more than money to the endeavor. "We're looking for someone who wants to grow a business and be their own boss, is self-motivated and customer-service oriented. If someone is just looking for a job, that's not really what we're looking for," she says. Cleaning Butlers of Sarasota provides customers options that ensure not only satisfaction that their spaces are clean and tidy, but also environmentally friendly if they wish. "We offer the clients a choice, as to whether they'd like us to use the green chemicals, sustainable chemicals or use the regular chemicals," she says. Cleaning Butlers uses four-stage HEPA vacuum cleaners to minimize dust and color-coded cleaning equipment to avoid cross-contamination between different types of surfaces and environments. Franchise fees are based on annual gross revenue and a minimum down payment of $800 plus equipment costs can enable someone to begin building their business. Cleaning Butlers' website lists unit franchise fees ranging from $2,500 to $42,000. They provide business, cleaning and safety training as well as accounting and administrative support.Writer: Brad StagerSource: Lynne Dowd, Cleaning Butlers of Sarasota

State College Of Florida In Bradenton Seeks Adjunct Professors, Teachers

By Brad Stager

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Higher Education

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April 13, 2010

As Manatee County's population grows and its business environment develops, State College of Florida in Bradenton is playing an important role in training the local workforce and providing employment opportunities for people who want to work in an academic setting. The school began as Manatee Junior College in 1957 and initially provided college-bound students an economical way to complete the first two years of a four-year degree. By the time it became Manatee Community College in 1985, its mission expanded to providing two-year degrees that enabled students to fill the needs of the local business community. That aspect of the college has expanded to the point where it now provides Baccalaureate degrees in nursing, health sciences, public safety and early childhood education. SCF also provides specific workforce training for companies that want to improve employee business and computer skills on a contract basis. Providing that range of educational options requires staff employees and faculty members who have a passion for knowledge. The school's educational team also includes part-time, or adjunct, instructors to teach its students. A review of the SCF website shows numerous openings for instructors to teach a variety of classes, from core academic subjects to workforce-oriented courses in health and business programs. Drawing upon the experience and expertise within the community is one of the school's strengths, according to Katherine Walker, SCF's director of public affairs and marketing. She cites demonstrable accomplishment in a field or subject matter as an important qualification for an adjunct instructor, but the school looks for more than that. "Here, probably more than at some institutions, an open-mindedness and willingness to think outside the box is an approach that we would want in people who join us," she says. You can check State College of Florida's employment opportunities by clicking here.Writer: Brad StagerSource: Katherine Walker, State College of Florida

Attention Gen X, Gen Y: Want To Make Money? Capitalize On Boomers

By Nancy Vaughn

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Diversity

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April 13, 2010

Reinventing Life After 50, the second annual Florida Boomer Lifestyle Conference, will be held on April 15 at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. The conference is geared toward Baby Boomers, those born between 1946-1964, and anyone who wants to gain greater insight and capitalize on this huge demographic market that consists of 78 million people."In the wake of the recession, Boomers have really been hit on multiple fronts: personally, physically, professionally and spiritually. Our conference will address all of those aspects of reinvention," says Michelle Bauer, founder and chief strategist at Common Language.Attendees will have an opportunity to learn about research trends in healthcare, marketing, employment and entrepreneurship, and hear more from 33 speakers from across the country. Bauer says that Boomer entrepreneurship and franchise ownership are two hot trends for the next decade that will help jumpstart the economy. This year's conference also ]will unveil a study conducted by Schwartz Research in March 2010 asking Boomers about the economy and their impact on it. Among the findings: • 72% of the respondents purchased vitamins or nutritional supplements in the last year• 40% purchased organic food• 25% purchased diet books and exercise DVDs."If you are a 25-year-old entrepreneur and you are looking for a business to get into that is recession proof and that is going to continually grow over the next two decades, looking at the Boomers and what they are facing is going to be your ticket to getting rich," says Bauer.The conference will also address issues facing Boomers, such as caring for elderly parents, helping adult children and working with multiple generations of co-workers.Registration information for the conference, which is being produced by ChappellRoberts and Common Language, is available online by visiting Florida Boomer Lifestyle Conference.Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: Michelle Bauer, Common Language

Obama’s Offshore Drilling Policy Impacts Florida’s West Coast, Tampa Bay

By Matt Spencer

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Buzz

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April 6, 2010

National Public Radio reports on President Obama's decision to allow offshore drilling along the Atlantic coast and northern Alaska, if scientists conclude the areas are suitable for extraction. The plan could expand to include drilling in the Gulf of Mexico by 2022 pending the expiration of a long-held ban.Read the complete story.