Bradenton

A Gallup survey ranking 26 U.S. communities found Bradenton scored highest of all in the category of “emotional attachment” as measured by social offerings, physical beauty and an open and welcoming nature. That friendly vibe particularly permeates the Village of the Arts, an enclave where bountiful whimsy expresses itself in the district’s colorful cottages, studios, galleries, book stores and restaurants. Bradenton is also home to the headquarters of Beall’s Department Stores, Tropicana Products and Champs Sports. Just to the west, mile-wide Anna Maria Island is home to three laid-back island communities. Just to the east is Lakewood Ranch, one of Florida’s newest and hippest planned communities.

One Bay, One Vision: Mega-Meeting To Connect Tampa Bay Leaders

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Diversity & Equity

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April 13, 2010

On April 16, leaders from across Tampa Bay will meet to discuss sustainable growth. One Bay, the group hosting the meeting, has deemed the event the Congress of Regional Leaders. The One Bay Liveable Communities Initiative is a "regional visional process" that grew from the Tampa Bay Partnership Regional Research and Education Foundation. It is committed to long-term thinking and planning to make the seven counties that comprise the Tampa Bay region a thriving and sustainable mega region by the year 2050. The counties included in the initiative are Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee and Sarasota. The April 16 meeting is a culmination of polls, surveys and workshops that resulted from the Reality Check of 2007. The data collected indicates a need and desire for a more proactive and deliberate approach to planning. "When we looked at the data, it was interesting because there were common guiding principles across transit, water and environmental areas," explains Betty Carlin, a spokesperson for the Tampa Bay Partnership. "It's telling us these are the things that people think are important. People really don't want to see growth happen as it has in the past. We want to do it differently. So now we have to put community leaders together to share the vision and make it happen." Dan Mahurin, chairman of SunTrust Bank and chair of One Bay, sees the meeting as a celebrated outcome as well as an exciting launch. "This event is a celebration of several years of great input and hard work from across the community to develop a shared vision for Tampa Bay. It is also a turning point for us to bring leaders back together to begin planning how we can implement this vision." The meeting will take place at the Tampa Convention Center from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Dan Mahurin, SunTrust

State College Of Florida In Bradenton Seeks Adjunct Professors, Teachers

By Brad Stager

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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

German Airline Eyes Sarasota As Possible Destination

By Matt Spencer

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Buzz

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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.

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.

Bradenton Communications Company Gets $15 Million Investment

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Economic Development

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March 30, 2010

A Bradenton wireless communications tower company recently received $15 million from a private investment fund to expand business throughout several states, including Florida. Tarpon Towers, wireless communications infrastructure company specializing in the acquisition and development of wireless communication towers, received the funds from Spire Capital Partners, a leading private investment fund specializing in communications technology, on March 15, 2010. A managing member of Spire Capital will join Tarpon's board of directors as part of the transaction. "We are excited to have Spire Capital join the Tarpon family as we feel Spire's extensive experience in the tower sector and strong industry relationships will be invaluable to Tarpon as we continue to build our business and create shareholder value," says Ronald Bizick, Tarpon co-founder and CEO. The need for more towers and the capital required to fund them arose from increased use of wireless technology such as smart phones and other devices that rely heavily on cellular transmission. "Growth in our business is dependent on access to capital and we are seeing numerous opportunities to put capital to work at attractive returns," adds William Freeman, Tarpon's co-founder and president. The investment will make possible more than 100 towers in 14 or 15 states, which will positively impact service through such carriers as Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. Tarpon currently owns 85 towers throughout Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, Michigan, Connecticut, New York and California. Tarpon Towers is based in Bradenton and has operated under its current management team since 2008. The company was able to add five new positions last year due to a previous investment of $50 million. Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: William Freeman, Tarpon Towers

Koala Tee In Sarasota Adds New Account Manager For Florida Suncoast

By Lisa Clementi

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General

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March 30, 2010

Koala Tee, an apparel manufacturer specializing in embroidered items, promotional products and company gift items has added new Account Manager Rob Harman, for the Florida Suncoast region. Harmon brings 17 years of experience in the imprinted sportswear industry and is a 30-year resident of Sarasota. Harman will be responsible for new business development for Koala Tee's products in a territory that ranges from Tampa to Fort Myers. "We have a great base of long-time customers; however, we know our core concentration should be bringing small businesses who need help increasing their marketing/branding efforts," says Carmen Manley, VP of business development. Adding an additional experienced account manager will help this business focus, and, if increased outside sales efforts prove successful, Koala Tee plans to expand more outside sales force to further penetrate existing territory, she says. Koala Tee, Inc, was started in 1983 in Sarasota as a trophy shop doing mainly team uniforms. The organization has since expanded and now occupies a nearly 11,000-square-foot facility in downtown Sarasota where a team of embroiderers does all made-to-order work in-house. Manley says quality control is one advantage of doing much of their production work in-house. Koala Tee also owns and operates Life Safety International, a company that sells men's clothing to retail stores on military bases throughout the world. Koala creates catalogs that include military fashion designs that mirror current fashions. The company also started selling the Red Shirt Fridays " I support our troops" line of apparel and products. Writer: Lisa Clementi Source: Carmen Manley, Koala Tee

AAA Auto Club South Rides The Recession, Posts Several Jobs

By Lisa Clementi

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Economic Development

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March 30, 2010

AAA Auto Club South, headquartered in Tampa with nearly 3,000 employees companywide, has a wide variety of professional level vacancies in the Tampa Bay region. Openings being filled in Tampa include positions in management, sales, marketing and publication production. "AAA Auto Club South weathered the recession well and continues to grow,'' says Nanci Odom, human resources VP."We have many exciting career opportunities available at www.AAA.com that cover a wide range of fields, from travel & insurance agents, call takers and service technicians to IT, accounting and marketing professionals to just name a few,'' Odom says. "AAA has been around for over 100 years and we'll be here for another 100 and more. AAA is relentless in our commitment to provide the highest level of service to our members and the best work environment for our employees." Founded in 1902 as the American Automobile Association, this association of independent clubs is a not-for-profit, fully tax-paying organization with more than 50 million members. Known originally for providing emergency road service, maps and travel publications, AAA has a wide range of travel services and member-benefit programs. Writer: Lisa Clementi Source: Nancy Odom, AAA Auto Club South

Ybor City Building Projects Turn Tampa Bay Green

By Michelle Stark

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General

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March 23, 2010

Lots of people in Florida and elsewhere talk "green'' in concept, while others talk it, walk it and chalk it up to experience by developing real-life projects to save energy, extend resources and create cool living and working spaces that promise to make the world a bit better one building at a time. 83 Degrees takes a look at three such "green'' projects in Ybor City, an historic neighborhood in Tampa that is helping lead the region into a sustainable future.

Planet Fitness Opens In Bradenton, Offers Special Membership Rate

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Economic Development

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March 23, 2010

A Planet Fitness franchise store opened in Bradenton on March 11, 2010. The new fitness facility, located at 6605 Manatee Avenue, is offering a grand opening membership sale requiring only $1 down and $10 per month to Bradenton residents. However, the club's business model features a month-to-month membership, with no contract required.According to the club's manager, Bradenton was the perfect location for the new facility and its parent company. "We chose Bradenton because the area's demographics indicated a good fit for our business model," explains Steven Malloy, manager of the new facility. Planet Fitness targets customers interested in general fitness as opposed to the competitive hard-core atmosphere of other fitness clubs. "We try to create an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable," says Malloy. "Every customer has the opportunity to work either one-on-one or in small groups with a certified fitness trainer. Our trainers strive to make sure everyone feels confident using the equipment at a level they are comfortable with. "In addition to the introductory membership sale, Planet Fitness offers a PF Black Card membership for $19.99 a month that includes free and unlimited tanning, guest privileges, access to all other Planet Fitness locations throughout the United States and other amenities.Customers can take advantage of the introductory offer by visiting the Web site at www.planetfitness.com, but Malloy encourages those interested to come down for a free tour of the facility, which features 80 cardio machines, including treadmills, ellipticals, arc trainers and stationary bikes. The club also sports two full circuits of strength machines as well as a 30-minute express circuit, tanning booths and massage chairs.

Bradenton Wireless Developer Receives $15 Million Commitment From Spire

By Matt Spencer

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Buzz

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March 23, 2010

Bradenton-based wireless communication site developer Tarpon Towers announced a $15 million equity commitment from New York-based private investment fund Spire Capital Partners.Tarpon Towers currently owns 85 towers located in 14 states that reach as far north as New York and as far west as California.Read the complete story.