Highlights of Economic and Business Growth in the Tampa Bay Region (News Briefs)
Source PRN, PRNOTW
TAMPA BAY, Fla. , Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- News briefs concerning economic and business growth in the Tampa Bay Region from the Tampa Bay Partnership:
Draper Labs Acquires Manufacturing Site in Tampa Bay
The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory bought a 41,000-square-foot building
in St. Petersburg recently where it plans to manufacture microchips for the
military. Renovations to the building, 10050 16th St. N., should be completed
in March 2009 . The site could employ an estimated 65 people in the next five
years, primarily in highly technical production jobs. Scientists there will
work to meet an increasing demand for highly complex, technically advanced MCM
systems in small packages for innovative applications, such as medicine,
energy conservation, port security and more. In addition to its St.
Petersburg facility, Draper Labs is working closely with Progress Energy on
energy-related research and development initiatives and is also partnering
with the
Exactech To Open Tampa Bay Manufacturing Facility
Exactech, an orthopedic device company, will open a new manufacturing facility in Manatee County . The 13,000-square-foot facility will manufacture surgical instruments used to implant the company's joint replacement devices. Exactech, based in Gainesville, Fla. , expects to hire 12 employees during the start-up phase. That number is expected to at least double during the next three to five years. The company currently designs and manufactures orthopaedic devices that are used by surgeons in more than 30 countries around the world. (Contact: Priscilla Bennett , 352-377-1140, [email protected])
Biopsy Sciences Relocating to Tampa Bay
Biopsy Sciences recently announced they will move operations from Tucson, Arizona to Pinellas County, Florida . The relocation of the growing biomedical research and device company includes new high wage jobs paying 200% of the county's average annual wage, adding to the region's growing life sciences industry. Biopsy Sciences develops new and innovative products for the medial market including the HydroMARK, a breast biopsy site marker that helps patients by replacing lengthy mammogram-guided wire localization procedures with quick, accurate ultrasound-guided localization procedures that are more comfortable for patients. The company took advantage of Florida's Qualified Targeted Industry (QTI) program to assist with the financial implications of relocating. (Contact: Dr. John Fisher , 727-290-9825, http://www.biopsysciences.com )
Quasar Bio-Tech To Move Manufacturing to Tampa Bay
Quasar Bio-Tech, which produces light therapy devices used by medical professionals and consumers, is planning to move its manufacturing to Manatee County and add up to 24 employees in 2009. Quasar Bio-Tech relocated its headquarters, distribution and research and development from Valley Forge, PA to 2,500-square-feet of space in Manatee County in 2008 citing the cost of doing business and workforce availability as key factors in its relocation decision. Quasar currently uses a vendor in Texas for manufacturing and is seeking local suppliers and vendors for its expansion into Manatee County . (Contact: Frank Kramer , 941-306-5812, [email protected])
Groundbreaking on
Elected officials, civic leaders, museum volunteers, trustees and staff
took part in the official groundbreaking ceremony on December 12, 2008 for the
new
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
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, [email protected])
SOURCE Tampa Bay Partnership