- October 24, 2024
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Nicholas Financial opens two offices, expects further growth
Clearwater-based Nicholas Financial Inc. opened two new offices in Nashville, Tenn., and Grand Rapids, Mich, expanding its network to 52 locations in 12 states.
The company expects to open its next office overall, and fifth in the Atlanta metro area, later this quarter, and to add three to five new branches during its 2011 fiscal year, which began April 1.
Nicholas Financial Inc. is one of the largest publicly traded specialty consumer finance companies based in the Southeast.
US Natural Gas Corp. buys more West Virginia leases
St. Petersburg-based US Natural Gas Corp., an energy exploration company with operations in the Appalachian Basin, has acquired additional leases and mineral rights in Wayne County, W.V.
The company acquired two leases totaling 100 acres adjacent to its current producing leaseholds. It will maintain an 87.5% net revenue interest in each of them. It also purchased 175 acres of mineral rights in another three tracts in the county.
US Natural Gas Corp. was formerly known as Adventure Energy Inc.
Cryo-Cell stem cell study suggests they help after stroke
A study conducted by Cryo-Cell International Inc. of Oldsmar and others published this month in the journal Stem Cells and Development indicates that stem cells found in menstrual blood may be a potential source for therapies following stroke and other central nervous system disorders.
Menstrual stem cells, known as MenSCs, offer an easily accessible, non-controversial and renewable stem cell source with the potential to treat a number of diseases. The University of South Florida, Saneron-CCEL Therapeutics and the Medical College of Georgia also contributed to the study.
Researchers found that transplantation of MenSCs, either directly into the brains of adult rats or peripherally, significantly reduced behavioral and histological abnormalities after a stroke.
They also suggest that the MenSCs- protected brain cells may avert further cell death and potentially reverse the neural trauma experienced during a stoke.
After inducing a simulated stroke, the researchers injected rats with menstrual blood-derived stem cells; those who were exposed to MenSCs exhibited a significantly lower death rate.
Behavioral assessments of motor coordination and neurological function on the rats 14 days later showed improvements in both areas. The study did not show any noticeable complications or negative effects.
Cryo-Cell, one of the largest family cord blood banks, offers customers its C'elle service, which cryopreserves menstrual blood for eventual use in future situations where stem cells are needed.
Furst of Michael Saunders named to state real estate commission
Gov. Charlie Crist has appointed Darla Furst, a managing broker with the Sarasota-based real estate brokerage Michael Saunders & Co., to the Florida Real Estate Commission through Oct. 31, 2012.
The appointment, one of three made last week by the governor, requires formal confirmation by the Florida State Senate.
The seven-member Florida Real Estate Commission administers, enforces and recommends changes to Florida real estate license laws. It can also suspend and revoke licenses and/or issue fines.
Furst and her husband Bill owned a brokerage on the east coast of Florida from 1976 until 1998 with four offices and over 125 associates. She then managed the Siesta Key office of Coldwell Banker before joining Michael Saunders & Co. in 2000. As managing broker of its Palmer Ranch office, she oversaw an expansion to more than 80 associates and average annual production in excess of $200 million.
Lincare Holdings added to NASDAQ Q-50
Clearwater-based respiratory therapy service and equipment supplier Lincare Holdings Inc. was one of eight companies added to the quarterly NASDAQ Q-50 Index. The index tracks the performance of the 50 securities that are considered to be next to replace stocks in the NASDAQ-100 Index.
The company, one of the largest in its field, provides services and equipment to 750,000 customers in 48 states through 1,056 centers.
Transitions Optical, VSP Vision Care create eye clinic
Pinellas Park-based Transitions Optical and VSP Vision Care have launched a new, mobile, eye-care clinic, featuring a comprehensive eye exam room, eyeglass dispensary and a finishing lab that can make customized eyeglasses.
The clinic is part of a five-year partnership to provide charitable eye-care services and educational outreach to underserved children and adults throughout the country. It will screen and create glasses for 50 students from Azalea Elementary School in St. Petersburg who failed an initial screening provided by Prevent Blindness Florida.
Transitions Optical is a joint venture of PPG Industries Inc. and Essilor International that focuses on marketing and selling a glass lens that changes its tinting based on UV rays.
ASG Software, CTG HealthCare unite on electronic health record product
Naples-based software company ASG Software Solutions has partnered with healthcare IT consulting firm CTG HealthCare Solutions to help implement its Web-based electronic medical record solution software, ASG-MedAppz.
To address concerns from physicians about potential lost productivity and income during the introduction of ASG-MedAppz, SSG and CTG HealthCare Solutions are developing a training program.
All U.S. physicians must have electronic medical record systems in place by 2014.
Suncoast Business Tech provided IT support to Transitions tourney
Suncoast Business Technologies in Sarasota was the official IT provider for the Transitions PGA Tournament and assisted the Copperhead Charities with its technology needs.
The event, which took place at Innisbrook Golf & Spa in Palm Harbor and was won by Jim Furyk on March 21, benefited more than 100 Tampa Bay area charities.
Gallagher is named Fleming's Purveyor of the Year for 2009
Judi Gallagher, founder and owner of the restaurant/food-focused public relations and marketing firm Judi Gallagher & Associates, Sarasota, was named 2009 Purveyor of the Year by Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.
Gallagher is also contributing food and wine editor for Sarasota Magazine and is culinary director of ABC's WWSB-TV, appearing on-air three times a week. She also recently launched Flavors and More, a national online culinary magazine.
Community Bank of Manatee adds $4.7 million in capital
Bradenton-based Community Bank of Manatee has received an additional $4.7 million in funding on top of the $15 million it received in early December.
Founded in 1995, the Community Bank of Manatee is an independent bank with five branches in Manatee and Hillsborough counties.
Paradise board of directors offering annual dividend
The board of directors for Plant City-based Paradise Inc. has declared an annual dividend of five cents per share for its common stock, payable on April 30 to shareholders of record as at the close of business on April 23.
Paradise Inc. produces and sells candied fruit both for commercial bakers and consumers.
Benderson Development CEO earns Human Relations Award
Nate Benderson, founder and CEO of University Park-based Benderson Development Co., received the annual Human Relations Award from the West Coast Florida Chapter of the American Jewish Committee.
The AJC award salutes and recognizes individuals who respond to the immediate needs of their community and who are instrumental in leading others to achieve their highest goals.
Alico's top lender eased restriction for quarter
Labelle-based Alico Inc.'s main lender reduced the company's debt-service coverage ratio requirement from 1.1 to 0.85 for the first quarter that ended March 31.
“We appreciate the cooperation of Farm Credit in relaxing this covenant,” JD Alexander, the company's CEO, said in a press release. “We have taken progressively more aggressive steps to reduce costs during the current quarter; however, the freezes in January negatively impacted our operating results. We believe that the company will come very close to achieving the unadjusted loan covenant ratio but, in an abundance of caution, we believe that seeking the reduction is a prudent step.”
The company didn't pay anything for the modification and says it does not expect to need it in the future. However, the change did mean the company agreed to have no dividend for that quarter.
Alico owns 135,500 acres of land located in Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Polk counties and is involved in various agricultural operations and real estate activities.
Minnesota Life Insurance expands Florida offices to Fort Myers
Minnesota Life Insurance Co.'s group life division has opened a sales and service office in Fort Myers. The company already has another similar office in Tallahassee.
Minnesota Life provides group life insurance to Fortune 1000 employers and large public employee groups nationwide. In Florida, public sector clients include the state government, Miami, Fort Myers, Valencia Community College plus Lee, Alachua, Palm Beach and Pasco counties.
Jabil expanding manufacturing alliance with iRobot's Roomba
In an expansion of an ongoing alliance, St. Petersburg-based Jabil Circuit Inc. will test, manufacture, and supply iRobot's consumer products, including its Roomba floor-vacuuming robot. Jabil has been making components for iRobot's government products use since 2006.
Jeffrey Beck, president of iRobot's Home Robots Division, touted the deal as a way to diversify key elements of iRobot's supply chain, provide geographic flexibility and expand overall capacity.
iRobot, based in Bedford, Mass., designs and builds robots for consumer, government and industrial uses.
Jabil provides electronics design, manufacturing and product management services to global electronics and technology companies.
Celebrated model Twiggy selling line on HSN
Fashion icon, actress, author and singer Twiggy Lawson has launched her own Twiggy London brand of apparel and accessories exclusively through St. Petersburg-based multimedia retailer HSN.
The collection debuted on April 3 on HSN's TV channel and hsn.com. Retail prices for its items range from $29 to $99.
Twiggy became a household name in the 1960s, gracing covers of fashion magazines around the world. She has achieved success in acting, winning two Golden Globe awards and earning a Tony Award nomination, has written several books and, most recently, was a judge on “America's Next Top Model” TV show.
