Highlights of Economic and Business Growth in the Tampa Bay Region (News Briefs)

Chasco Machine and Manufacturing

Chasco Machine and Manufacturing, Incorporated has finalized plans for a new 24,800-square-foot facility in the Hernando County Airport Industrial Park. Utilizing state-of-the-art computer numerically controlled (CNC) machining equipment this Tampa Bay -based manufacturer produces critical tolerance, precision-machined parts primarily for the aerospace industry including parts used in the production of Boeing 737 commercial aircraft. Chasco Machine currently employs 17 full-time workers and expects to add an additional 10 employees with their expansion. Construction has begun on the facility and Chasco expects to be operational by mid-2009. (Contact: Jeff Roth , 727-815-3510, http://www.chascomachine.com )

USF Awarded Top Research Park

The University of South Florida Research Park has been awarded the prestigious "Emerging Research Park of the Year Award" from the Association of University Research Parks (AURP) at the association's 21st annual conference in St. Petersburg recently. The award is presented annually to an emerging university research park in operation less than five years and during which time has excelled in bringing technology from the laboratory to economic viability. The 87-acre research hub includes a 230,000-square-foot, two- building complex and houses USF's Center for Biological Defense and the Tampa Bay Technology Incubator, currently home to 18 emerging innovative businesses. (Contact: Vickie Chachere , 813-974-6251, vchachere@admin.usf.edu)

AEW Selects Horizon Bay to Manage Continuing Care Retirement Community Properties

Horizon Bay Retirement Living, a national seniors housing operator based in Tampa, Fla. , announced its selection by AEW Capital Management L.P. to manage three continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) in Florida . Regency Oaks in Clearwater , Lake Port Square in Leesburg , and South Port Square in Port Charlotte , have a total of 1,694 residential units for seniors. This transaction marks Horizon Bay's entrance into the CCRC or lifecare market and increases Horizon Bay's units under management to over 14,000, with 77 communities located in 15 states. (Contact: Courtney Loebel , 813-961-8388, Courtney@brockcomm.com)

SOURCE Tampa Bay Partnership