Page 649 – 83 Degrees Media

Coastal Caisson In Pasco County Seeks Construction Workers, Engineers

●

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

●

Entrepreneurship

●

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

●

Education

●

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

●

Diversity & Equity

●

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

Florida Caribbean Students Host 2010 Conference At USF In Tampa

By Matt Spencer

●

Buzz

●

April 6, 2010

The Florida Caribbean Students Association will host its 36th Conference at the University of South Florida from April 9-11 in Tampa.The conference is the leading event in Florida for Caribbean students, community leaders and business representatives to network and celebrate their cultural heritage.Read the complete story.

TECO Proposes New Energy-Efficient Rebates In Florida

By Matt Spencer

●

Buzz

●

April 6, 2010

Tampa Electric Co. wants to expand its energy-efficient incentives for customers. If the proposal is approved by the Florida Public Service Commission, residents would receive a $1,000 rebate on the installation of a solar water heater. Businesses would receive an additional $175 per kilowatt for commercial lighting upgrades and $25 for every exit sign upgraded to LED technology, among other incentives.Read the complete story.

German Airline Eyes Sarasota As Possible Destination

By Matt Spencer

●

Buzz

●

April 6, 2010

Condor Airlines is considering a stop connecting Frankfurt to the West Coast of Florida, and the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is on the short list. If Sarasota is chosen, the flights would begin as early as March 2011. A decision is expected to be announced by the end of April.Read the complete story.

KPMG Study: Tampa Among Least-Expensive Cities For Business

By Matt Spencer

●

Buzz

●

April 6, 2010

A recent study by audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG LLP revealed that Tampa was the least-expensive city for business operations among a list of 22 U.S locations with populations exceeding 2 million each. The study ranks Tampa ahead of Atlanta, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles.Read the complete story.

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

By Matt Spencer

●

Buzz

●

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.

Eclectic Culture Draws Fashionistas To Tampa

By Matt Spencer

●

Buzz

●

April 6, 2010

Tampa's eclectic vintage clothing stores are highlighted in a recent travel feature in The New York Times. The article mentions Seminole Heights businesses along with shops in Hyde Park, SOHO and Ybor City.Read the complete story.