Bradenton

Bradenton Wireless Developer Receives $15 Million Commitment From Spire

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.

Port Manatee Contracts With Natural Gas Company, $150 Million Impact

The Manatee County Port Authority has entered into a long-term agreement with Port Dolphin Energy, which will provide Florida with another source of natural gas to meet the growing demand for alternative energy sources. The project is expected to be completed by 2013, and will pump more than $150 million into the local economy during the next 20 years. "With the addition of Port Dolphin to our growing family of energy-related companies, Port Manatee exhibits its leadership as an incubator for local jobs and regional economic growth," says Larry Bustle, chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority. "This agreement reinforces the port's financial strength with a new, recurring revenue stream." According to figures released by Port Dolphin Energy, the project's estimated $150 million stimulus will come in the form of jobs, tax revenue and supplies and services. The project makes it possible for liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers to connect with Port Dolphin's offshore facility 28 miles off the coast of Manatee County, which in turn connects to an undersea pipeline system that comes onshore at Port Manatee. The supply coming in to the port complements the state supply provided by Florida Gas Transmission Co. and Gulfstream Natural Gas System pipelines. Studies indicate that natural gas is cleaner, safer, more easily accessible and easier to store than oil. The Dolphin Energy project meets the objectives outlined in the Florida Public Service Commission's Ten-Year Plan that call for a more balanced fuel supply.Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Larry Bustle, Manatee County Port Authority

Carlson Studio Marketing Team Expands In Sarasota

Carlson Studio Marketing, a full service PR agency that helps clients accomplish sustainability objectives and realize marketing advantages from eco friendly policies and initiatives, has added a new public relations coordinator, Elena Teovska. Teovska will work closely with the firm to achieve strategic media relations and marketing goals. Carlson Studio Marketing, a member of the Sarasota County Green Business Partnership, was established in 2006 and is a Florida certified Minority Business Enterprise.     "I anticipate the largest job opportunity and creation to come through the public sector for at least the next two years as the result of federal stimulus funding aimed at creating renewable energy and green jobs", says CEO Grace Carlson. "Our firm is positioning itself to be the most well-rounded and cost-effective solution for public sectors who need to add interim capacity as they deliver the services provided through the federal stimulus program.''   Carlson's firm has worked with the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) since October 2008 performing public education and outreach services in Manatee and Sarasota counties to help communicate the agency's interest in developing sustainable,  walkable communities within the Tampa Bay region.   CSM also worked with The Wellness Community to develop and execute a capital campaign for its new Lakewood Ranch facility, which is designed to meet U.S. Green Building Council LEED Gold certification.   CSM is currently in the running for two new projects: a marketing campaign for a Sarasota community that wants to establish its identity and brand as a green community, and for a healthy lifestyle community pilot project that will be funded through the Centers for Disease Control in select U.S. cities.    Writer: Lisa Clementi  Source:  Grace Carlson, Carlson Studio Marketing

Green Business Initiative Sprouts In Manatee County

Encouraging environmentally responsible operations, the Manatee Chamber of Commerce has launched the Green Business Initiative: Sustainable Manatee Program. The new initiative will promote best management "green" practices in business to conserve natural resources and eliminate waste. Sustainable Manatee is open to current and prospective Manatee Chamber of Commerce members. Applicants must meet certification requirements and pledge to continually strive toward sustainable business practices that ensure the greater Manatee region is environmentally healthy and viable. Green practice areas include: recycling/reuse, commodity conservation, energy conservation, water conservation and innovative concepts. The Mosaic Company is partnering with the Manatee Chamber to publish the certification manual, and currently there are eight companies that have already met certification levels and recognition, including: Air & Energy; Arrow Environmental Services, Inc.; Energy & Sustainability Consultants (ESC); Fawley Bryant Architects, Inc.; Flowers Baking Company; Turner Tree & Landscape; Waste Pro; and Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. The Chamber's Green Business Initiative Committee is currently the Chamber's largest committee with 57 members. Benefits of receiving the certification include: - Recognition as committed to a greener Manatee region through business operations. - Access to the Manatee Chamber's Green Business logo for print and electronic use in identifying as a Green Business. - Recognition on the Chamber's website and at Chamber functions. - Manatee Chamber Green Business window decal for their business venue. "Through Sustainable Manatee, the Manatee Chamber is facilitating and connecting with our governmental partners and connecting members with green focused businesses and resources in order to foster sustainable businesses and practices," says Bob Bartz, president of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. For more information about Sustainable Manatee, call 941-748-4842 ext. 124 or e-mail: NeilS@ManateeChamber.com.Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: Manatee Chamber of Commerce

Tampa Bay Trane Begins 2010 By Adding Jobs, Now Hiring

Tampa Bay Trane, the exclusive representative of Trane Commercial Air Conditioning Products and Services on Florida's West Coast, is currently seeking to fill three positions: commercial A/C technician, service estimator and outside sales representative. "Trane has a good, solid business because of its service and preventative work in the commercial business sector,'' says Sarah Davis, HR manager. "As the commercial sector improves, Trane will plan to continue to hire staff at a moderate level of growth." Tampa Bay Trane's workforce is a team of highly skilled project managers, sales and engineering professionals, and technicians, Davis says. Trane has already hired nine people this year, four in new sales and skilled technician positions. The company also transitioned one current part-time employee into a fulltime staff member. TBT's current workforce is at 150 employees; a vast majority are full timers. Davis forecasts future hiring in 2010 to possibly include more skilled experienced techs with solid commercial experience as well as another addition to the sales team. Tampa Bay Trane was established in 1969 and has franchises in 13 counties in Florida. Over the years, Trane's service offerings have increased from primarily supporting the sale of Trane equipment to many expanded services including operator training, system energy analysis, replacements, retrofits and repair contracting, emergency services, rental equipment, performance contracting and HVAC system on-site operations. Writer: Lisa Clementi  Source: Sarah Davis, Tampa Bay Trane

Home-Tech to Build Office, Showroom In Manatee County

Fort Myers based Home-Tech, an appliance repair and sales company, will begin construction in April on a new regional office and showroom in east Manatee County. Through small-business incentives approved by Manatee County government, Home-Tech could receive as much as $22,000 for adding 21 jobs over the next five years, and the company is eligible for $5,743 in impact fee refunds. The new office and showroom will be housed in two buildings with a total of 20,000 square feet. The showroom is scheduled to open by early 2011. Home-Tech was founded in 1981 by Steve Marino, the company's president and CEO. Its primary focus originally was home air conditioner repair, and Marino was the only employee. Additional services, such as air conditioner installation, appliance repair and sales, were added over the years as the company expanded its territory across Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Sarasota and Manatee counties. Marino transitioned the company into an employee-held entity in 1996. Home-Tech now employs more than 115 people and has a fleet of more than 80 vehicles. Writer: Carter GaddisSource: Eric Basinger, Manatee Economic Development Council

Port Manatee Expansion Includes New Berth, New Crane

The Manatee County Port Authority will accept bids through March 22 on a major dredging project at Port Manatee. The port's new Berth 12 is the final phase of a $200 million project that began in 1999. The project includes excavation and hydraulic dredging and removal of about 760,000 cubic yards of material. A bid alternate includes dredging and removal of an additional 370,000 cubic yards of material. The 1,600-foot Berth 12 is designed to accommodate containerized shipping and is scheduled to be in operation late in 2010. The request for proposal for the Berth 12 project is available at the Port of Manatee website. In addition, the Manatee County Port Authority announced the addition of Port Manatee's second mobile harbor container crane, which is expected to be in operation by October. "Securing this second crane is essential for Port Manatee as we prepare for increased shipping traffic for the expansion of the Panama Canal," says Port Manatee Executive Director David L. McDonald. The $4 million second crane, which will be added nearly three years after the first crane was installed, was purchased through a public-private agreement among the Manatee County Port Authority, the Florida Department of Transportation and Logistec USA Inc. Logistec, which also partnered with the Port Authority on the first crane, is responsible for operation, maintenance and insurance on the new crane. Logistec and the FDOT each provided about half of the purchase price. Writer: Carter GaddisSource: Jill VanderPol, Port Manatee

Manatee’s Exactech Adds 5 Medical Manufacturing Jobs, Plans More Hires

“New Florida” Campaign Touts Investment In Universities As Economic Fix