- October 12, 2024
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Firm plans expansion
A Manatee County firm that provides automation systems for consumers with custom audio/video setups, Clare Controls Inc., plans to hire 60 employees by 2016, part of a larger expansion project.
Clare Controls executives say 39 of those hires will take place this year, according to a press release. The firm also intends to renovate its 20,000-square-foot headquarters in south Manatee County.
Nearly $600,000 in performance-based incentives from Manatee County will aid the expansion. Subsides include waived impact fees and a Quick Response Training program grant.
Project faces delays
The redevelopment project at the Longboat Key Club & Resort, discussed since 2006, has again been put on hold.
The latest delay: Florida Circuit Court Judge Charles Roberts ruled that Longboat Key commissioners violated the town's zoning code when they approved the project. Commissioners had approved a multimillion-dollar expansion and renovation last year. The proposal included an 11-story, five-star hotel and a stand-alone meeting center.
The commission and the club could appeal the ruling. Club officials have already spent at least $5 million in fees and expenses on the project, and the proposal has previously gone through six revisions and more than 20 public hearings.
Sweat announces retirement
Longtime Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Bob Sweat says his current term, which is up this year, will be his last.
Sweat was first elected to the position in 1984, and he won every subsequent election. A Republican, Sweat previously served four years on the Bradenton City Council.
No Republican or Democrat candidate has filed to run for the office, which handles voter records and registrations. The office has grown in size and scope since Sweat was initially elected. Voter registration rolls in the county have doubled since Sweat was first elected in 1984.
Miami flight cut
American Eagle will eliminate nonstop service to Miami from Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers Jan. 31, the airline says.
The service has been a vital link for people in the Fort Myers-Naples area who fly American Airlines to the Caribbean and Latin America. They will now have to drive to Miami or fly to Dallas-Fort Worth for their connection.
Until Jan. 31, American Eagle operates two daily roundtrip flights from Fort Myers to Miami. After that date, American Airlines will continue to fly three roundtrip daily flights from Fort Myers to Dallas and Chicago.
NeoGenomics signs deal
Fort Myers-based cancer testing firm NeoGenomics says it has signed a $3 million licensing deal with Health Discovery Corp. to generate new business.
Savannah, Ga.-based Health Discovery is a molecular diagnostics company that uses mathematical techniques to create genetic tests. It licenses technology to companies like Neogenomics, which initially plans to use it for lab tests to detect prostate, pancreatic and colon cancers.
Neogenomics paid Health Discovery $1 million in cash and issued 1.36 million shares of stock in upfront licensing fees. It will pay additional milestone fees and royalties based on revenue targets.
Neogenomics' stock is publicly traded (symbol, NGNM; recent price: $1.43).
Radel in race
Radio commentator Trey Radel, host of Daybreak with Trey Radel on 92.5FM, says he plans to run for the congressional seat being vacated by Connie Mack, who is running for U.S. Senate.
Radel joins a crowded Republican field vying for the nomination in the 14th congressional district, including State Rep. Gary Aubuchon and Lee County Commissioner Tammy Hall.
Radel was the host of a popular conservative radio show on 92.5 FM in Fort Myers, stepping down to run for Congress. In addition to radio, Radel has been a publisher and television anchor.
Homans new CEO of EDC
Rick Homans was selected by the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp. to succeed Keith Norden as CEO of the organization.
Homans comes to Tampa with experience as secretary of New Mexico's Economic Development Department. He also served as secretary of the state's Taxation and Revenue Department and executive director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority, which oversees the space launch facility Spaceport America.
His experience in the private sector includes founding the New Mexico Business Weekly in 1993, which he sold to American Business Journals in 2001.
Norden will remain at the EDC as executive vice president.
E Solutions acquired
Knology Inc., a Georgia company with $442 million in 2010 revenues, paid $13.8 million in cash to acquire E Solutions Corp., a Tampa-based operator of two data centers.
Knology provides video, voice, and data services to residential and business customers throughout the Southeastern and Midwestern United States.
Knology ended the third quarter of 2011 with $65 million in cash on its balance sheet.
Smith new OSI chair
Liz Smith has been appointed as chairwoman of OSI Restaurant Partner LLC's board of directors, says a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Smith, the Tampa-based restaurant parent company's current president and CEO, will take over the vacant seat left by A. William Allen III when he resigned Jan. 1.
Smith has served as CEO of OSI since 2009, when she took over the position from Allen.
