Corporate Report

Odyssey Marine Exploration early dive finds gold, more from SS Central America
Tampa-based Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. has recovered nearly 1,000 ounces (62.5 pounds) of gold during the first reconnaissance dive to the SS Central America shipwreck site.

The recovered gold included five gold ingots and two $20 Double Eagle coins (one from 1857 minted in San Francisco and one 1850 minted in Philadelphia).

The two-hour reconnaissance dive was done while Odyssey Marine's research vessel the Odyssey Explorer moved from the United Kingdom to Charleston, S.C. The project is being conducted under contract with the receiver of Recovery Limited Partnership (RLP).

Odyssey Marine says the gold ingots and other artifacts were clearly visible on the surface of the site during the dive and no excavation was required. The archaeological excavation of the site will start after a survey is done to document the site. Only five gold ingots, two gold coins, a bottle, a piece of pottery, a sample of the shipwreck's wooden structure, and an element of a scientific experiment that was left at the site more than 20 years ago were recovered.

Ira Owen Kane, the court-appointed receiver who represents RLP and Columbus Exploration LLC, selected Odyssey Marine Exploration for the recovery project. The archaeological excavation, cargo recovery and ship-board conservation will be conducted and paid for by Odyssey on behalf of RLP. In return, Odyssey will receive 80% of recovery proceeds until a fixed mobilization fee and a negotiated day rate are paid. After that, Odyssey will receive 45% of the recovery proceeds.

Webtivity opens satellite office in St. Petersburg
Bradenton-based Webtivity Marketing & Design has opened a satellite office on Central Avenue near downtown St. Petersburg. The company says it opened the satellite office to better serve its growing business in Pinellas County.

“It adds to our credibility,” Terry Thompson, owner and president of Webtivity, says in a press release. “Too many people have heard stories about companies in our industry just disappearing and then they have to start all over again. We have more skin in the game so we're not going anywhere, and our clients appreciate that comfort.”

MagneGas Corp. files patent to use fuel for soil remediation
Tampa-based MagneGas Corp. has filed a provisional patent to use its signature fuel to remove soil contamination. The company says that using MagneGas to heat and burn off the contaminated soil will be more efficient through the primary heat output of the process and will reduce emissions.

Ermanno Santilli, CEO of MagneGas, says the new application is just one in a series of new permits the company expects to filed for in the near future.

Fawley, Piccolo join committee of executives for Bradenton Area EDC
The Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. (EDC) has named Rick Fawley, president of Fawley Bryant Architects Inc., and Fred Piccolo, president and CEO of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, to the EDC's executive committee.

The EDC is the economic development organization for the Bradenton area's nine communities south of Tampa Bay. It works to diversify the local economy and attract and retain businesses producing high-wage jobs.

North Port, Sarasota County offering business façade upgrade funds along U.S. 41
The city of North Port and Sarasota County have launched a facade improvement program to provide financial assistance to business owners serving low- and moderate-income residents within North Port.

“We wanted to be able to help North Port business owners along the U.S. 41 corridor with funding to help improve the look and feel of the exterior of their buildings, thus driving more traffic to their front door and improving the aesthetics of some of our older stretches of Tamiami Trail,” Allan Lane, North Port's economic development manager, says in a press release.

The funding can help to pay for exterior improvements, including exterior signs that are attached to a building; correcting code violations associated with the exterior façade; design costs and other professional services; and building permits.

However, the financial assistance may not be used for roofs, landscaping, parking lot improvements, signs that are not attached to the building, interior improvements, and exterior furniture.
The funding is coming from North Port's federal Community Development Block Grant.

All applicants must be a for-profit business that primarily serves residents who have incomes at or below 80% of the area median income or primarily service residents of a lower income area as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. For further details contact the city of North Port's Neighborhood Development Services Department.

Data Innovator of the Year joins DataMentors board
Dr. Charles Stryker, who was recently named Data Innovator of the Year by the Data Innovators Group, has joined the board of directors of Tampa-based DataMentors LLC. Stryker is chairman and CEO of Venture Development Center Inc., an advisory firm that helps companies deal with data.

“Charlie Stryker is a true thought leader in the field of Big Data, and an expert guide for businesses looking to capture the value of that information,” Ned Williams, a partner with Brook Venture and chairman of DataMentors' board, says in a press release. “He has used his entrepreneurial vision and expertise to found, shape and advise ground-breaking businesses such as 24/7 Real Media, Naviant, Jigsaw, LexisNexis, Blue Kai and V12. This is an exciting time of growth at DataMentors and we're thrilled to have him on board.”

St. Louis company buys Tampa's A-1 Elevator Inspection
ATIS Elevator Inspections, a St. Louis-based subsidiary of American Testing & Inspection Services, has acquired Tampa-based A-1 Elevator Inspection Inc.

Charlie Slater, president of A-1 Elevator Inspection, has joined ATIS Elevator Inspections as a vice president and will initially be responsible for the company's Florida operations.

The Tampa firm employed seven qualified elevator inspectors and has provided consulting, test witnessing, inspection and certification services for elevators and other mechanized conveyance devices throughout Florida since 2000.

J.A. Marchack, president of ATIS Elevator, said the purchased was pivotal for ATIS and helps it firmly establish its presence in an active and growing third-party inspection market.

“Under Charlie's leadership, A-1 experienced double-digit revenue growth in each of the past three years,” Chip Smith, chairman of ATIS, says in a news release. “His experience and reputation will be instrumental in ATIS's future growth plans, and we look forward to a long and rewarding partnership with Charlie and his team.”

UhaulCarShare bringing Prius, car-sharing service to New College
UhaulCarShare is bringing it car-sharing service to New College of Florida in Sarasota.

Beginning this fall, UhaulCarShare will place a 2012 Toyota Prius hybrid on campus in front of the Sudakoff Center. Access to this vehicle will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“UhaulCarShare allows individuals the flexibility and freedom a car provides while eliminating the financial burden of owning a car,” Mariah Reid, program director for UhaulCarShare, says in a press release. “In addition, the service provides peace of mind...knowing the insurance, maintenance, reserved parking spots and 24/7 roadside assistance are included in the rates.”

Members will be able to rent cars on an as-needed basis. Drivers as young as 18 can sign up online, reserve a car and use it for as little as $4.95 an hour.

Premier Oil Field Services becomes American Metals Recovery, Recycling
Fort Myers-based Premier Oil Field Services announced it is changing its operating name to American Metals Recovery & Recycling Inc. It has also changed its stock ticker symbol to AMRR (OTCQB).

“Our name change to American Metals Recovery & Recycling solidifies our direction into an industry dedicated to making the world a cleaner and better place to live,” Gordon Muir, CEO says in a press release.

Bulk Nation Orlando store scheduled for July opening
Sarasota specialty grocery franchise Bulk Nation is expanding to Orlando. The retailer expects to open its first 4,195-square-foot store in Orlando at Colonial Plaza, toward the end July.

The new store will be the third for the grocer, which already has locations in Sarasota and Bradenton.

Bulk Nation offers more than 3,000 specialty food offerings, including everything from coffee beans to spices, candy to organic and gluten-free foods, that it sells by weight.

“This will be a great location for us, and we're thrilled to be in a position to offer the Orlando community savings on a huge variety of dry and bulk foods,” Clay Donato, Bulk Nation president, says in a press release. “The Bulk Nation store opening in Orlando is part of our company's nationwide expansion plan calling for over 75 franchised units over the next five years.”

Bulk Nation reports it has commitments for more than 12 additional store locations nationwide.

Dais Analytic, Hong Kong company agree to joint venture
Odessa-based Dais Analytic Corp. has entered into a definitive agreement with SoEX (Hong Kong) Industry & Investment Co. to create a joint venture to build and sell Dais's ConsERV High Efficiency Energy Recovery Ventilator into the China market as well as using the company's Aqualyte nanomaterial to clean up contaminated water.

The joint venture will buy Dais's Aqualyte nanomaterial and other products from Dais to form the energy recovery ventilation products. It will also develop certain contaminated water cleaning projects based on Dais' pilot water cleaning system in Pasco County.

The distribution agreement requires the joint venture to make payments to Dais for products that must exceed $15 million in 2016 and every year thereafter and pay royalties to Dais.
Dais Analytic says SoEX Hong Kong has an established manufacturing and distribution network that will sell the ConsERV product to a number of commercial and consumer uses.