When Mireya Eavey was with Sarasota County’s Economic Development Corp. a few years ago, employers looking to move here would typically ask if the region had enough of the skilled workers they would need. Nine out of 10 times, Eavey says, the answer was no. Now, though, thanks to new-age work force collaborative called…
Foundation Center Grant Proposal Writing Seminar comes to Tampa Tuesday, December 6th 9am – 4pm John Germany Public Library Auditorium 900 N. Ashley Drive Tampa, FL 33602 For every grant seeker who wants to learn how to write proposals geared to foundations and for experienced grant seekers who are initiating a foundation fundraising campaign. Join…
Employer to Add 700 Jobs in Broward Over 3 Years Ultilizing the Brownfield Bonus Refund Program Saveology.com, an Internet company offering daily deals and comparison-shopping websites, plans to add 700 new jobs in Broward County over the next three years. The company will move its existing 550-job operation from Fort Lauderdale to Margate and add…
South Boynton Walmart Opens, Providing More than 200 Local Jobs A cheer rang out from the throng in the new parking lot of the new store. “W! A! L! M! A! R! T!” Corporate types and city leaders beamed as giant white scissors cut the ribbon Wednesday morning at the new 24-hour Walmart Supercenter. Most…
BRADENTON — The Bradenton Central Community Redevelopment Agency’s key role in founding the CareerEdge job training program has earned it The President’s Award from the 300-member Florida Redevelopment Association. The Bradenton agency is among only 12 such agencies to be recognized by the association. CareerEdge was funded by 13 different agencies, governments and private businesses…
Property Owners Get Bayshore Agency’s Help in Fixing Up Facades NAPLES — Four gallons of paint, a two-pack of rollers and a sanding sponge. Add a pressure washer to the mix, and you have the list of supplies Sean Waight needs for the next phase of an ongoing home improvement project. This round of improvements, though,…
Delray Beach Marketing Cooperative Launches Free Wi-Fi Initiative DELRAY BEACH – Wi-Fi on East Atlantic Avenue from Swinton to A1A is free to the public thanks to the efforts of the Delray Beach Marketing Cooperative, which launched the project just in time for the On the Avenue centennial programs. “It seems fitting that Delray Beach would usher in a…
County, Businesses Enter an ‘Era of Cooperation’ NEW PORT RICHEY – In September 2008, the nonprofit Urban Land Institute held up a mirror to Pasco County officials. Government leaders weren’t entirely pleased with the reflection. The revelations spurred county officials to action. During the past three years, they worked to implement the institute’s recommendation to…
Carter Park Project in Indiantown Gets Green Light from Martin Commission STUART — Martin County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a collaborative effort between several organizations that will bring affordable housing, a community center and park and a stormwater treatment project known as Carter Park to Indiantown. Commissioners approved a land swap between the county…
Colorful Murals Proposed for Downtown Sarasota Parking Garage SARASOTA – Picture Ace Ventura’s quirky bouffant popping out of a wall or Johnny Depp’s cool stare as he lips a long cigarette, his rendition of the iconic Hunter S. Thompson. Add a chorus of deep reds and hues of purple and yellow and blue swirling and bouncing…
FRA 2011 Best Book The Florida Redevelopment Association Awards Program recognizes the best in redevelopment in Florida. It is open to any member of the association. To recognize the projects and people involved in redevelopment throughout the state, three award series have been established. The Roy F. Kenzie and Thomas J. Mills Awards are given…
St. Pete Beach Plan Would Direct More Cars Toward Corey Avenue, Business District ST. PETE BEACH — Once upon a time, Corey Avenue was the city’s vibrant downtown economic center. In the 1970s, a new bridge was built, and traffic that once brought beach visitors onto Corey Avenue shifted a block north to 75th Avenue. In…
Local Community Redevelopment Projects Win State Awards Twelve redevelopment projects, organizations and leaders throughout the state have been recognized by the Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA) for their outstanding achievements in improving local communities. The recipients were honored at a special awards banquet last night at the 2011 Annual Conference. “The FRA annual awards program brings…
Kissimmee Main Street to Bring Back Food Trucks The food trucks will be rolling in downtown Kissimmee again, and probably a lot sooner than originally planned. Last week’s first Flicks on the Bricks event, which included more than a dozen food trucks, was so successful that another food truck event is going to be scheduled for…
City of Bradenton Central Community Redevelopment Agency Wins State Redevelopment Award The City of Bradenton Central Community Redevelopment Agency (CCRA) is one of 12 organizations to be honored by the Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA) in Orlando, FL on October 20, 2011 at its Annual Conference. The President’s Award will be given to the CCRA for…
Palmetto housing rehab a blessing for homeowner Living in the little stucco house on 11th Street West had become an ordeal for Betty Hammond. The air-conditioning hadn’t worked in two years. The kitchen sink was separated from the wall. The roof leaked. “I was running out of buckets and pots when it rained,” the…
Delray CRA shifts away from traditional role to help businesses thrive The Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is shifting its focus from its old model — improving infrastructure — to attracting new businesses and keeping established businesses alive during a sluggish economy. And it’s catching on. The Boynton Beach CRA is offering similar programs and…
The CRA, FRA and TCRPC sponsored a Florida’s Brownfield Redevelopment Program Event in West Palm Beach
Using Twitter to Encourage Engagement in Urban History You’ve all seen them, the plaques with years on them displayed around your city. They commemorate people, places or events that are import to the history of the city. Maybe you even stop to read them. Most likely you take them for granted and walk right by.…
Florida’s Gadsden County, “Big Bend” Region Win Southeast’s Largest Solar Farm Project National Solar Power announced Monday the company would build the Southeast’s largest solar farm in Gadsden County, Florida- generating hundreds of new jobs and pouring #1.5 billion in economic investment into the region. “Gadsden County was chosen for this significant project for many…