Largo

The City of Largo truly lives within its means. It doesn’t issue bonds. It doesn’t go into debt. It saves, and then spends – a rarity in most public and private circles. The city puts a premium on quality of life, providing a wide array of recreational options for its residents, young and old. An active public library and a busy cultural arts center help host a full slate of special events and recreational activities. Pinellas County’s third-largest city with 75,000 residents, Largo stands out as one of the most affordable housing markets in Florida, and, as a result, many families buy their first homes here. Largo’s economic base boasts a wide variety of manufacturers.

National Forensic Science Technology Center Creates New Enterprise, Jobs

By Mandy Erfourth

●

Innovation News

●

September 14, 2010

The National Forensic Science Technology Center plans to launch a new specialized division, which will create 40 new jobs that will be paid 150 percent of the annual average Pinellas County wage. The National Forensic Science Technology Center, a nonprofit organization that provides training, assessment, research and technology assistance to the justice, forensic science and military communities, already has 55 high-paying jobs in Pinellas County. The expansion will create a new for-profit enterprise, the Forensic Innovation Center. The expansion is being fostered by Pinellas County Economic Development and Florida's Qualified Target Industry. QTI is a tax refund program that allows new and expanding businesses to create new and high-paying jobs in exchange for tax refunds.The partnership between the Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, Enterprise Florida and Pinellas County allows targeted high-growth industries like the FIC to alleviate some of its costs in development.The intention of the QTI program is not only to create jobs and attract business to Florida, it is also to maintain local business and their employees. FIC's project will be to test and evaluate advanced forensic intelligence tools and systems. This is important in relation to national security and will be a vital support in data and knowledge exchange between government and private organizations. The research FIC will focus on is forensic intelligence solutions related to crime and threats in relation to target areas of science, homeland security and training. The result of the QTI program is that it eliminated some of the cost of FIC's expansion so the company was able to stay in Pinellas County. Writer: Mandy ErfourthSource: Stacey Swank, Pinellas County Economic Development

Tampa Bay Farmers Markets Re-Open For Fall, Winter Seasons

By Missy Kavanaugh

●

Arts

●

September 7, 2010

With autumn upon us, farmers markets across the Tampa Bay region are readying to share the harvest. It seems nearly every municipality has at least one. A few are new, and a few have made some changes. Here's a thumbnail sketch:Realize Bradenton hosts a farmers market downtown on Old Main Street between Manatee Avenue and 4th Street from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday from October to May."We have built a community of vendors, residents, businesses, and most importantly, a community of dogs," says Johnette Isham, Realize Bradenton's executive director. "We have live music every Saturday. The first Saturday features a chef demo, the second raffles and prizes, on the third Saturday we join with Mainly Arts, showcasing artists and craftspeople and featuring art from a Manatee County elementary school. On the last Saturday of the month we do kids' activities."Isham says the market has generated foot traffic and revenue for Bradenton businesses since it opened a little over a year ago. "Ninety thousand people came downtown last year," she says. half of them for the farmers market. Next year 135,000 are predicted, due to more events we've planned. That equals projected consumer spending of $3.1 million for 2010-11."Wesley Chapel is opening a new market at the The Shops at Wiregrass at the intersection of Bruce B. Downs and State Road 56 the first Saturday of every month starting in November. According to Tiffany Ferrecchia of Tampa Downtown Market, the Winegrass market will feature produce, plants and eco-friendly arts and crafts as well as products featured at existing Wiregrass stores and restaurants.Lizzy Lenk is a vendor who sells her Bag It Conscience products at several Tampa Bay markets. "I like going to the markets because it gives me an opportunity to talk to people and encourage them to do simple changes that can go a long way toward improving and changing the environment for the better," she says. "I find it a wonderful, creative, meaningful and fun way to earn my living. People absolutely love coming out. It gives them an opportunity to meet with friends and be outdoors. They can buy handmade, home-cooked or locally grown products. Many love not buying from the big corporations but supporting local crafters. We are fortunate that we have lots of these kinds of markets happening almost every day of the week. It brings life to the streets."Other area markets include St. Petersburg's mammoth Saturday Morning Market; Gulfport's Tuesday Morning Market; Clearwater's Open Air market, Dunedin's farmers market; Largo's Heritage Village and downtown markets, Tampa's downtown market, Ybor Market and Seminole Heights market; Parksdale Farm Market in Plant City; Brooksville's downtown market, Hernando Beach's Open Market; and Lakeland's Farmer's Curb Market and Farmer's and Flea Market.Writer: Missy KavanaughSources: Johnette Isham, Realize Bradenton; Lizzy Lenk, Bag It; Tiffany A. Ferrecchia, Tampa Downtown Market

Five Tampa Bay Businesses Land In Top 500 Fastest-Growing Companies

By Matt Spencer

●

Buzz

●

August 31, 2010

A 2010 ranking of the Top 500/5000 fastest-growing companies in North America recognizes five companies in the Tampa Bay region within the Top 500. The September issue of Inc. Magazine unveils the 29th annual list. The five companies include Tampa-based energy and information service provider Archimedes Global (#77), Clearwater-based software provider eMason (#165), Tampa-based Medicare and Medicaid benefit administrators Freedom Health (#225), Tampa-based communication network experts Telovations (#213) and Largo-based marketing firm The Media Crew (#369). Companies that landed within the Top 5000 include: Clearwater-based companies Sunbelt Software (#3724), Monin (#4109), Arroyo Process Equipment (#4249) and PostcardMania (#4945). Largo-based companies Atomic Tattoos (#4275) and The Bare Board Group (#4329). New Port Richey-based Geo-Logical (#2506). Odessa-based The Launch Pad (#1419). Sarasota-based Clockwork Home Services (#2910) St. Petersburg-based companies Crystal Clear Technologies (#549), Interstate Transport (#1030), Kobie Marketing (#3171) and Excelsior Defense (#3907). Tampa-based companies Ideal Image (#555), Web Commerce Partners (#790), ScreeningONE (#793), IT Authorities (#801), Celestar (#909), Calhoun International (#993), Tribridge (#1103), Triad Digital Media (#1108), J2 Engineering (#1127), Hiregy (#1132), Laser Spine Institute (#1140), AgileThought (#1154), Acclaris (#1489), myMatrixx (#1509), College Hunks Hauling Junk (#1539), Applied Data (#1679), An Amazing Organization (#1693), T-Cellular (#1697), Infinity Business Systems (#1714), Health Integrated (#1948), ConnectWise (#2087), eBridge Solutions (#2093), Advanced MarketPlace (#2328), Convergence Consulting Group (#2668), Magnetic (#2713), MISource (#2789), i9 Sports (#3061), Accusoft Pegasus (#3442), eWinWin (#3701), Carlton Fields (#3739), Rent-n-Roll Custom Wheels and Tires (#4152), MarkMaster (#4651), Pilgrim Software (#4678), HSA Engineers & Scientists (#4767), and Rent a Coder (now vWorker) (#4877).Rankings are based on revenue growth from 2006 to 2009, according to Inc. Magazine. The state of Florida once again received a nationwide ranking of #5 -- pulling ahead of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Georgia, and Illinois -- with 262 companies inside the Top 5000. Scan the complete list.

Largo Karaoke Conglomerate Sings Praises Of Pinellas Economic Programs

By Missy Kavanaugh

●

Arts

●

August 10, 2010

What happens when your growth outruns capacity, and a conventional bank just won't do? Turn to the government.Largo karaoke conglomerate JS Karaoke (JSK), named for owner entrepreneur Jack Stauser, did just that, and is now tracking $30 million to $40 million sales and a 60 percent share of the mass merchant market. "We had actually never sought out public assistance before," explains Ron Crawley, JSK's project management coordinator. "But with our growth, we had to do something. If we hadn't sought it out, we would not be where we are."The company, which manufactures karaoke equipment for Emerson and owns international subsidiary IXT, was located in Pinellas Park. Needing to expand its manufacturing space due to an anticipated explosion in dot-com business, the company needed to expand into bigger digs than its existing 16,000-square-feet Pinellas Park facility provided. After reaching out to the Pinellas County Economic Development Council (PCEDC), JSK received assistance through not just one, but a multitude of services. JSK received a $250,000 loan through the PDEDC's Economic Gardening program to finance its expansion and equipment needs, then was directed to Worknet's LEAPS program to help staff its growth. The PDEDC then put JSK in touch with the right people at the city of Largo to find its current location at 1185 Gooden Crossing. The new Largo facility is 56,000 square feet and outfitted with equipment that streamlines JSK's production-line process.Crawley advises other companies, especially young startups, to investigate what the government has to offer."Government programs are a great way to start a new business, says Crawley. "People will never give you money for an idea. But they will give you money for a plan."Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Ron Crawley, JS Karaoke

Tampa Bay Commercial Real Estate Enjoys Upswing In Property Sales

By Missy Kavanaugh

●

Development News

●

August 3, 2010

The Tampa Bay commercial real estate market got its report card for 2010's second quarter, and the news looks good—especially if you are a small or start-up business looking for retail space.In a second-quarter issue of CB Richard Ellis' (CBRE) MarketView, the research company reported that Tampa Bay retail, industrial and office commercial property sales and leasing had improved dramatically over the previous quarter.On the retail front, CBRE reports that there is more and more activity between smaller retailers and lenders for spaces under 5,000-square-feet. Add that to the softer lease rate where landlords are more willing to negotiate, and the Tampa Bay area looks pretty attractive to someone looking to start a new business.The office space market stabilized in the second quarter, with more leases being signed by businesses, and less businesses vacating their leases. This positive movement in turn brought cap rates in line, making the vacant spaces that remain more attractive to investors. Some bigger deals in this realm include Wells Fargo Insurance Services moving into more than 48,000 square feet at The Pointe, and the completion of construction on Park Centre at Telecon Park, which adds 88,000 square feet of Class A office space to Northeast Tampa.And the industrial market enjoyed some positive momentum in the second quarter. Helping to stabilize the market were deals involving Beltram Edge Tool Supply, Ferguson Enterprises, Seaworld Park, Metro Air Services, WESCO Distribution, Viatek, Commodity Resources and Aero Simulation on the Tampa side, and Plasma-Therm in Pinellas."The number one factor for businesses considering relocation or expansion is the business costs they will experience in a new location," says Chris Steinocher, the Tampa Bay Partnership's COO-SVP of marketing & business development. "These studies clearly show that business costs are a competitive advantage for the Tampa Bay region."Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Chris Steinocher, Tampa Bay Partnership

Largo Study Opens Discussion For Possibility Of Mass Transit

By Matt Spencer

●

Buzz

●

June 22, 2010

A recent survey conducted in Largo indicated that, while residents want alternative transportation options, they feel unsafe walking and riding bicycles. The St. Petersburg Times highlights the results of this study as an indication that mass transit could have a positive impact for Pinellas County. The survey is one of many conducted by the city to gauge transportation decisions for the future. Read the complete editorial.

Valpak Markets Bargains In Tampa Bay, Offers Career Ops In Sales

By Brad Stager

●

Innovation News

●

May 18, 2010

If you have a mailbox, you've probably received a thick, blue envelope stuffed with glossy coupons and ads promoting everything from new floors to Chinese restaurants. It's called direct marketing and one of the biggest players in the industry is Valpak Direct Marketing Systems, Inc. Their headquarters is located in Largo and they have a production facility in St. Petersburg as well as some operations in Tampa. Valpak combines the talents of market researchers, analysts, graphic artists, print production workers, online media professionals and salespersons to create, produce and market the money-saving coupons. The company was founded in 1968 and operates as a subsidiary of Cox Target Media, Inc. Indications of how Valpak is adapting its business model and practices include its presence on Twitter and Facebook, where people can find digital coupons and career opportunities. Jeff Friend, a member of Valpak's human resources team, often visits job fairs to recruit new employees. He says the types of careers Valpak offers is changing with the times. "It's not just the blue envelopes full of coupons anymore," he says. "We're doing a lot now with online coupons and marketing." He suggests people check the company's website for the latest information on available jobs. Some recent listings include openings for a manufacturing engineer, a digital media sales support specialist, national sales manager and account executives. Valpak also offers franchise opportunities.Writer: Brad StagerSource: Jeff Friend, Valpak

Largo Builds LEED-Certified Community Center

By Missy Kavanaugh

●

Architecture

●

May 11, 2010

Largo is building a new community center at 400 Alternate Keene Road. And the building is slated to earn a gold LEED certification."We were shooting for the silver," says Joan Byrne, director of parks & recreation. "But it looks like we'll be getting the gold. This will be the first building in the city to get the gold rating."According to Brian Usher, director of Largo's public works department, the building's construction employs a tilt-up method that requires that wall concrete be poured into a precast form and then lifted into place after it hardens. This technique increases building efficiency and reduces energy costs. But there is more to the construction that helped earn the gold rating.The building's roof will have solar panels, and its mechanical systems are being designed with control systems that minimize operational costs and maximize efficiency. A rainwater irrigation system is planned, as well as landscaping using drought-hardy plants. The project is also using only local materials.The community center replaces the facility that currently resides in Largo's redevelopment district. "Our current community center had a fire in 1998," explains Byrne. "So this building is a replacement that doubles the size and capacity of the original building."The current community center, at 65 4th St. NW, will close and its location will be offered for urban development. Like its predecessor, the Keene facility will focus primarily on senior recreation and fitness by day and the arts in the afternoon and early evening. It will contain three studios with springboard floors, a ballroom, black box theater and several classrooms, among other amenities."We have had a cultural center with a strong arts program, but no room for classes. This building will provide room for those classes," says Byrne.Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Joan Byrne, Largo Parks & Recreation; Brian Usher, Largo Public Works

Pinellas County Leads State In Incumbent Worker Training Grant Awards

By Matt Spencer

●

Buzz

●

May 11, 2010

Pinellas County is leading the state of Florida in Incumbent Worker Training grants for the sixth year in a row. The purpose of IWT is to provide training to workers to maintain their competitiveness in a global economy and to encourage growth within the company. The program has trained 2,100 employees in more than 30 Pinellas companies this year.Read the complete story.

Largo Chocolatier Finds Recipe For Success, Looks To Hire More Workers

By Nancy Vaughn

●

General

●

May 4, 2010

Sri Lankan chai. Grapefruit and tarragon. Pear and ginger. Strawberry balsamic. Lemon and lavender. What do these unique combinations have in common? Well, when it comes to William Dean, the commonality is chocolate.Based in Largo, William Dean Chocolates takes exquisite and exotic flavors and blends them into artistically crafted, handmade chocolate treats. Founded in 2007, and named after founder William (Bill) Dean Brown's father (William) and grandfather (Dean). Brown credits both his father and grandfathers as being influencers in the launch of his business.How does one become a chief chocolate officer, as Brown is tastefully labeled? By following his dreams. Brown was in upper management at Ceridian in St. Petersburg when he started exploring the world of chocolate. While he really enjoyed his corporate job, he left his well-paying career to pursue his passion. He traveled to different cities, networked with chocolatiers and got the wheels moving on his business.Jokingly Brown admits that sometimes the blends come about by accident, but usually he is inspired by the flavors in foods he experiences and enjoys, sometimes mixing fruits, herbs and other ingredients. "I think it's interesting to have a start and finish to it," says Brown, noting that fruit is usually the first flavor tasted and herbs provide the last, finishing taste. Most recently, William Dean Chocolates won 12 awards at the San Francisco International Chocolate Salon on March 20, 2010. Eleven of those awards were for first place out of more than 60 chocolate gurus. William Dean Chocolates has produced sweets for Teavana, Aria Resort and Casino and Bellagio. Locally the sweets can be found in their chocolate studio at 12551 Indian Rocks Road, Suite 1; Datz Deli in South Tampa and Bella Vino Wines in Belleair Bluffs."Datz only carries the finest specialty food items that can be found anywhere. We were looking for chocolates in particular and were so surprised to find that one of the hottest award-winning chocolatiers in the country was right up the street!" says Suzanne Perry, owner of Datz Deli. "We knew we had made the right choice when Bill Brown called personally from Paris to ask me if my first order was OK – and then stopped in to check after landing back in Tampa. His flavors are so amazing and the chocolates so beautiful that we have customers lined up to buy them right out of the boxes as they arrive. My favorite so far has got to be the Rosemary Caramel. Savory, sweet decadence!"In 2009, William Dean Chocolates saw revenue increases of almost 80 percent, and they expect to expand over the next few months. Brown anticipates that they'll be hiring as well, providing job opportunities for other chocolate lovers in the Tampa Bay region.Writer: Nancy VaughnSources: William (Bill) Dean Brown, William Dean Chocolates; Suzanne Perry, Datz Deli